When Theriza Lanche began working remotely for Anne Lackey in January 2015, she couldn’t have imagined she was laying the foundation for what would become a thriving global workforce of over 1,000 virtual employees. At the time, she was simply looking for a way to work from home so she could care for her father, who had suffered a stroke.

“At first, like any new venture or new adventure, there was a bit of hesitation,” said Theriza. “It (virtual employment) wasn’t as common as it is now. But since I wanted to stay with my dad at home and make sure that there was somebody with him as he recovered from his stroke, I just went ahead and said, ‘OK, let’s try this out. Let’s see how it goes.’ And fortunately, it went really well.”

That leap of faith would prove transformative for Theriza and hundreds of Filipino professionals who would follow in her footsteps at HireSmart Virtual Employees (HSVE).

The Accidental Pioneer

Before joining HireSmart, Theriza worked as a resolution specialist for Dell in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. She linked up with HSVE co-founders Mark and Anne Lackey through a mutual connection, transitioning from handling complaints at Dell to helping manage rental properties remotely.

How CEOs Can Master the Labor Jigsaw Puzzle

She wasn’t familiar with U.S. property management, but she learned tasks quickly and helped establish the template for HireSmart’s future success.

Anne remembers a pivotal lunch meeting that sparked the company’s creation. When Anne mentioned Theriza to a CEO friend, the friend was skeptical. A quick impromptu call with Theriza changed everything.

“She talked with Theriza for about five minutes,” said Anne. “And she hung up the phone and says, ‘I need six Therizas. Can you give me six Therizas in three weeks?'”

Anne jumped on the task. And 10 years later, she’s still going, having placed over 1,000 VEs with more than 200 clients.

Setting the Standard

Theriza’s early days with HireSmart helped establish the processes that would shape the company’s future. Her experience became the blueprint for training new virtual employees.

Rather than feeling pressure as the company’s first virtual employee, Theriza found encouragement in HireSmart’s approach.

Anne Lackey’s Company Offers a Unique Virtual Solution for Staffing Issues

“They treat everybody equally,” she said. “It was more of an encouraging approach every single time. We talked about being a better version of yourself, at least 1% every day.”

A Culture of Growth

Theriza embodies HireSmart’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development. In 2019, she enrolled in Harvard Business School’s Credential of Readiness program, completing the three-course business program in 2021. She continues to pursue additional specializations in strategic management.

“I have developed this thirst for learning,” she said. Her interests now extend to business intelligence, automation, and AI engineering. “It helps me keep track of the market trends and widen my skills.”

Today, Theriza works in recruiting and marketing and helps identify and screen potential HSVE employees. Her journey from being the company’s first virtual employee to helping select new ones has given her unique insight into what makes the relationship successful.

“If there is one thing that I will share with anyone is this kind of setup is built on trust,” she said. “Maintain integrity, diligence, and dedication. Develop your skills and maintain the right attitude, and you’ll go far.”

The Secret to Success

Theriza attributes HireSmart’s remarkable growth to its transparent approach and commitment to personal development.

“With HireSmart, what you see is what you get,” she said. “They teach you things to do your job well and to be a better person. That sets them apart from all the agencies out there because they are more into improving you as a person.”

Can You Keep Up When Your Business Booms?

When Theriza’s father passed away in February 2024, HireSmart’s supportive culture was evident in their response.

“It was very thoughtful of HireSmart to send flowers for my dad,” she said. “They make you feel valued, even those personal things. They recognize and make sure that they are with you.”

At HireSmart’s recent annual Christmas celebration, Anne made sure everyone understood Theriza’s lasting impact on the company.

“I want to make sure you understand that you should all thank her,” she told the entire HireSmart workforce. “You are all here because she started with us.”

From caring for her father to caring for seven Huskies today, from mastering real estate to pursuing Harvard credentials, Theriza continues to exemplify the qualities that made her HireSmart’s ideal first virtual employee.

Her legacy lives on in every new virtual employee who joins the HireSmart family, continuing the tradition of excellence she helped establish nearly a decade ago.

Building on the Foundation: HireSmart’s Agency Value

The success story that began with Theriza has evolved into a comprehensive agency model that benefits both virtual employees and U.S. businesses. HireSmart’s approach, refined through years of experience, addresses the challenges Theriza first encountered as a pioneer in virtual employment.

Where Theriza once had to navigate the uncertainties of remote work alone, HireSmart now provides a structured support system for its virtual employees, including health and dental benefits, educational scholarships for their children, and professional development opportunities. The company’s intensive 40-hour certification program ensures every virtual employee is thoroughly prepared before placement, building on the documentation processes Theriza helped establish.

For U.S. businesses, HireSmart has transformed the complex task of global hiring into a streamlined, reliable process. The company’s careful vetting process — accepting only 1% of applicants — and 98% successful placement rate demonstrate how far the program has come since Theriza’s first impromptu client call.

“They treat each business as their own,” said Theriza, reflecting on the company’s growth. “That’s their secret weapon or secret sauce, and how they’ve grown this big.”

Hiring is Hard; Here’s How We Help

This commitment to excellence has resulted in collective client payroll savings of $56 million to date while creating meaningful career opportunities for Filipino professionals. The success of this model validates the vision that began with Theriza’s first remote role — proving that with the right support system, virtual employment can transform businesses and lives alike.

Ready to reimagine what your team can achieve? Click here to schedule a free consultation, and let’s talk about how HireSmart can help you build a team that wins together.