Meet Avy Schondorf | Founder & CEO, Alisto Virtual Workforce | Systems & Delegation Strategist

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

Hi Avy, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice I disagree with is: *“Just be more disciplined.”*

That advice falls apart once you look at context—especially for women and neurodivergent people.

For women, discipline is often assumed to be lacking when the reality is the opposite. Many women are already highly disciplined, but they’re also carrying invisible labor: emotional management, caregiving, household logistics, and the responsibility of keeping everything running. That additional cognitive load is rarely acknowledged, yet it directly impacts capacity.

For neurodivergent people, the advice is even more misplaced. It treats executive function challenges, sensory overload, time blindness, and burnout as character flaws instead of neurological differences. Telling someone to “be more disciplined” when the system itself is misaligned doesn’t create improvement—it creates shame.

What actually works is designing systems that account for real lives and real brains. That means clarity over pressure, structure with flexibility, delegation instead of self-sacrifice, and environments that reduce friction rather than demanding constant self-control.

Discipline can be a tool, but it’s never the foundation. Systems are.

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?
Alisto was built out of necessity, frustration, and a very clear gap I kept seeing in the market.

I work with founders who are smart, capable, and deeply invested in what they’re building, but who are drowning in execution. What sets Alisto apart is that we don’t just “provide help.” We design operational systems and delegation structures that actually work for the person running the business. That means we don’t plug people into generic workflows or expect founders to change how their brains work to fit a tool. We build around reality.

What I’m most proud of is that Alisto centers clarity and sustainability over hustle. We help founders move out of constant firefighting and into leadership by creating clear roles, decision-making frameworks, and shared ownership. Our goal isn’t to make clients busier—it’s to make their businesses calmer, more resilient, and easier to run.

Getting here was not easy. Like many founders, I started by doing too much myself. I over-functioned, over-delivered, and absorbed gaps that should have been structural, not personal. Growth forced a reckoning: either I built real systems and learned to trust support, or I burned out completely. That pressure is what shaped both my leadership style and Alisto’s model.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success without support is fragile. You can build something impressive on grit alone—but it won’t last. Systems matter. People matter. And delegation is not about letting go of control; it’s about building something that doesn’t collapse if you step away.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple: I don’t believe burnout is a badge of honor. I believe in building businesses that are profitable, human, and sustainable—and in leadership that leaves room for a life outside of work.

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.
I’d keep it simple and fun. We’d definitely spend time on the BeltLine, because that’s the easiest way to soak up Atlanta’s energy—walking, people watching, popping in and out of spots.

Drag brunch at City Winery would be a must. Great vibes, great performances, and an easy crowd-pleaser. I’d pair that with wandering Ponce City Market for food and drinks, and at least one relaxed dinner somewhere buzzy but unfussy like DelBar or Ladybird.

Lastly, don’t forget shopping at Junkman’s Daughter followed by a Reuben and drinks at L5P.

Mostly, I’d let the city set the pace—Atlanta is at its best when you’re not overplanning.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout first and foremost to my grandmothers, who showed me what was possible through sheer will and grit. They lived lives that demanded strength, adaptability, and perseverance, and they did so without fanfare or permission. Watching them navigate hardship with determination and dignity taught me that obstacles aren’t signals to stop—they’re problems to work around, outthink, or outlast. That mindset is woven into everything I build.

I also want to recognize the colleagues and professional communities who took me in after I moved to America. Starting over in a new country reshapes you. The people who opened doors, offered guidance, challenged me, and believed in my ability to lead gave me more than opportunities—they gave me footing. Their support helped turn uncertainty into momentum and reinforced the power of shared effort.

Together, these influences taught me two foundational truths: resilience is learned through example, and success is never individual. Every step forward in my story has been made possible because someone else stood beside me, believed in me, or helped carry the weight when I couldn’t do it alone.

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