Leading with Heart and Hustle: Zahra Sbeih’s Mission to Make Business Support Human Again

By the age most are still figuring out their path, Zahra Sbeih had already taken the leap into entrepreneurship. With no investors, no roadmap, and no safety net — just faith and fierce intent — she co-founded the Sbeih Virtual Assistance (SVA) Agency in Beirut alongside her sister. A year later, she found herself running it solo.

What began as a bold experiment has become a lifeline for entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world, helping them clear the clutter, reclaim their time, and operate with purpose.

Empathy Over Efficiency: A Business Built Differently

In much of the Arab world, the idea of virtual assistance was still new when Zahra entered the space. Remote work wasn’t widely embraced, and trust was a real barrier.

“We wanted to be the helping hands people didn’t know they needed — support that feels personal, not transactional,” Zahra says.

From admin support and social media management to customer service and project coordination, SVA evolved into more than a task-completion service — it became a relationship-driven support system.

When her co-founder and sister Nourhan exited the business early on, Zahra didn’t pause. She leaned in. Scaling, hiring, and building a culture of care became her next chapter.

Scaling with Soul: Why SVA Stands Out

SVA refuses to be just another plug-and-play service. While many platforms match clients with VAs at random, Zahra ensures each assistant is aligned with the client's workflow, values, and goals.

“We’re not just assistants — we’re teammates,” she emphasizes.“We care about the people, the process, and the bigger picture.”

Clients echo this sentiment. Many describe their VAs as indispensable, next-level professionals, and a true extension of their team. It’s the human connection — not just the tasks — that keeps businesses coming back.

Roadblocks, Resilience, and the Reality of Starting Young

Being in your early twenties and running a business comes with its own challenges. Zahra has faced age bias, steep learning curves, financial lows, and the pressure of managing everything from pricing to people.

“There were times I wasn’t sure we’d make it,” she admits.“ But then a client would send a thank-you note, or a VA would share how valued they felt — and that reminded me why I started.”

Convincing traditional businesses that remote support could be reliable — even superior — was another hurdle. But trust grew, one relationship at a time.

A Playbook for Women Ready to Lead

Zahra’s message to women — especially young ones entering leadership — is practical, grounded, and refreshingly honest.

“You don’t have to know everything. Start with your ‘why’ and figure out the rest along the way.” “Take up space. Ask questions. Even if your voice shakes, use it. That’s how change begins.”

She also believes in celebrating the invisible wins — the nights you show up tired but still deliver, the progress that isn’t yet public, and the self-trust that builds with each small success.

Bringing Humanity Back into Business

SVA is more than a service company. It’s Zahra’s statement — that business support can be efficient and empathetic. That remote help can still feel human. That being professional doesn’t mean being impersonal.

“For me, this isn’t about scaling fast or going viral,” Zahra shares.“ It’s about showing up, doing meaningful work, and building something that actually helps people.”

In an age of automation, her story is a reminder that relationships still matter — perhaps now more than ever.

Website: www.sva.agency

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