Meet Cyril Thomas | Serial Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cyril Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cyril, what are you inspired by?
Richard Branson’s life story is a powerful example of ambition, creativity, and resilience, making him an inspiring figure for me. As the founder of the Virgin Group, Branson has built a business empire that includes music, airlines, and phone companies. His journey from a dyslexic teenager who struggled in school to a billionaire entrepreneur shows the importance of perseverance and thinking differently.

One of the most inspiring things about Branson is his fearless approach to taking risks. He started his first business, a magazine called “Student,” at the age of 16. Despite facing many challenges, he didn’t give up and kept following his passion for business. This willingness to take risks, even when success wasn’t guaranteed, shows how important courage is in entrepreneurship.

Branson’s innovative mindset is another key element that inspires me. He always finds gaps in the market and creates new solutions to fill them. For example, when he started Virgin Atlantic, he wanted to provide a better customer experience than other airlines. This focus on innovation and customer satisfaction is something I want to include in my own business ideas.

In addition, Branson’s commitment to social responsibility and making a positive impact on the world is truly admirable. Through projects like Virgin Unite, he uses his success to support various humanitarian and environmental causes. This shows that entrepreneurship is not just about making money but also about using your influence to help others.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ascensus Virtual Pros provides virtual assistant (VA) staff for entrepreneurs from medical practices to real estate agents. Our passion is to assist small business owners reduce staffing costs by streamlining processes and reclaiming valuable time with no task too big or small for our virtual assistants. Our VAs allows business owners and onsite staff to focus on direct customer/client interactions and relieve them of the responsibilities of administrative duties including answering phones, appointment scheduling, data entry, e-mail and calendar management, social medica management, order processing, invoicing/booking, and more.
Our 30 + years of human resources experience allows us to work with each business to customize job roles and offer entrepreneurs a seamless hiring process. This encompasses not only a new, dedicated full-time VA for as little as $7 per hour but also a dedicated account manager, all while alleviating our clients from the burdens of payroll, employee benefits and HR duties. We are driven by our commitment to excellence and personalized service.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, I would recommend coming in the Spring, specifically in early March to enjoy moderate temps and when it feels amazing to be outside. Here is a sample itinerary.

1. Houston Rodeo is a must-see, with rodeo competitions, concerts, carnival rides, and lots of food and beer.
2. The Houston Cistern, located beneath Buffalo Bayou Park, is a hidden gem and an architectural marvel.
3. Art Car Museum showcases elaborately decorated cars and other artistic creations.
4. Gerald D. Hines Waterwall is a striking example of public art and urban design.
5. Galveston – Just an hour’s drive from Houston, Galveston offers beaches, historic sites, and attractions like Moody Gardens and Pleasure Pier
6. Discovery Green
7. St. Arnold’s Brewery
8. Eating at The Post and restaurants in the Heights and Montrose – Traveler’s Table, Savior, Coltivare, Graffiti Raw, Soto, Riel, and so many more amazing places

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone in my life that puts up with me….my husband, my parents, my kids, and my friends who support me and love me no matter what crazy ideas I come up with and crazy things I want to do whether in business or fun.