Julia Ratliff

📍Wilmington, NC | Virtual Assistant

📝 Editor’s Note

I'm about to commit the cardinal sin of mentioning Christmas before Halloween.

Now, before you unsubscribe, let me drop some wisdom: waiting until December to plan your holiday cards is like starting your diet on New Year's Eve. Ambitious but unadvisable.

My wife and her local business, If It’s Paper, do a great job creating Holiday cards. They offer letterpress, engraving, thermography and foil printing in-store (Raleigh, Greensboro or remote appointment). However, their collection of flat print digital cards is available online. Now you can support Minted a small business and have a high quality card to impress the Joneses next door. If you want something more customizable, email Elizabeth at elizabeth@ifitspaper.org for an in-person appointment or to work by phone/email.

But seriously, I’m so proud of her and constantly impressed with her creativity. I would be grateful if you’d consider ordering you cards through her business here.

Pro tip: Grab a 3-inch ring and a hole punch to organize the cards you receive this year. Collect cards yearly and put them out in bowls for an instant conversation starter.

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Without further ado….

Why Julia?

I have known Julia since high school and I think she discovered Rambull when I profiled her brother, William. I’m interested in her new career path as a virtual assistant. Check out her website if you are looking for an extra set of hands to help out, especially with the holidays coming up. I bet she would be great at helping you order your holiday cards and getting your address book up to-date 😉

Follow Julia on Instagram

Self-Description

Former teacher and fundraiser turned full-time virtual assistant and new mom. Always trying to avoid an awkward situation, but somehow, always finding a way to stumble right into one.

Julias’s Recommendations

Written in her own words…

Digital Tool

The Family Album App

I told myself I wouldn’t dive into parent-related recommendations, but here we are! My husband and I spent some time figuring out the best way to share pictures of our daughter without being constantly asked for updates (she's the first grandchild on both sides). We landed on using the Family Album App, which lets us upload all of our photos in one spot for the family to easily access. They get notifications when new pictures are added and can leave comments. The app even organizes photos by month and age, creates videos, and gives you eight free photo prints each month.

Well-Being

Playing Cards with your Partner/Spouse.

My husband and I both have a love for playing cards, along with a healthy dose of competitiveness. Since meeting in 2019, we’ve prioritized playing card games together over sitting in front of the TV or scrolling through our phones. On the rare occasion that we are staying at a hotel, we take cards to the lobby, sip a beverage and people-watch. One of our favorite two-player card games is Spite and Malice (check out the rules here)

Food and Wine

Graft Wine Shop

I lived in Charleston, SC, from 2013 to 2021, so I frequently get asked for recommendations when people plan their visits. Graft Wine Shop is always at the top of my list! I spent way too many Sunday afternoons at Graft, sipping wine and overspending, but they truly have some of the best wines around. The two guys who own the shop are longtime friends, and the vibe is one that everyone wishes they could replicate.

Professional

Notion

My brother, William, is a Notion guru (you can check him out at nutt.ai) and got me hooked on the platform. It’s a dream tool for anyone who loves to stay organized—it helps me keep all my to-do lists and tasks in one place. My family is so into it that we snap a picture every time we spot a Notion billboard and share it in our family thread.

Gift

1) Palaka

I gave birth to my first child in July, and my friend Ann Gordon (side rec--you should follow her interior design company, AG Interiors, on Instagram @aginteriors_llc) gifted me one of my most treasured items—a hand-painted baby brush with our dog on it! The artist behind these brushes is the founder of Palaka, a small business located in Charleston, SC.

2) Kate Long Stevenson

Katie was one of my favorite babysitters growing up and remains one of my favorite people today.  While she’s well-known for her figure and abstract artwork, not everyone knows about her bunny paintings inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit. She gifted me one just before our daughter was born, and it’s now the most joyful part of her nursery!

Amazon

Milk Frother

My brother brought us this $10 milk frother when he stayed at our house, though let’s be real—it was mostly for him! After some consistent nudging to try it, my husband and I quickly became hooked. It's pretty much the only thing we agree on when it comes to coffee—he’s a hot black coffee guy, and I’m all about the cold brew. Now, we both love using the frother to level up our drinks and turn Monday mornings into something that feels more like a Saturday at the coffee shop.

Plug

www.juliaratliff.com

I recently launched my own Virtual Assistant business! As a Virtual Assistant, I offer a wide range of administrative support tailored to meet your needs—whether you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or someone just needing an extra set of hands. I can help streamline your workload, allowing you to stay focused on your goals. With the flexibility of remote work, you can access professional assistance without the overhead of hiring a full-time employee. The holidays are fast approaching and it’s the perfect time to lighten your load!

Want to reach out to Julia? “You can shoot me an email and we can set up a time to chat about how I can help you feel less overwhelmed. julia@juliaratliff.com”

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P.S. from Rambull — In keeping with my holiday theme, I recently ordered these two inflatable dinosaurs for our front yard. I think my wife has a hard time telling who the 3-year-old is in our family…8 Foot T-Rex and 13 Foot Brachiosaurs