As a busy entrepreneur, your time is your most valuable asset. Constant interruptions from unknown numbers, spam callers, or even non-urgent calls can ruin your focus and productivity.

The smart solution? Never give out your personal cellphone number — except to:

• Government agencies
• Your bank
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) services

Instead of handing out your personal number to clients, leads, or public directories, consider using a business line that protects your privacy and gives you more control. Services like Google Voice (free), Twilio (developer-friendly), or other third-party numbers let you forward calls to your cellphone without revealing it. You can even route low-priority or unknown calls to a live answering service like Answer America to handle them professionally while you stay focused.

Why Google Voice Is the Best Option

Google Voice is free, flexible, and ideal for call control. With it, you can:

• Forward calls to your mobile phone
• Block spam or silence unknown callers
• Set custom call rules for different contact groups
• Send low-priority or unknown calls directly to voicemail or a call center

How to Let Only VIP Contacts Ring Through

Step 1: Use Your Existing VIP Contact Group

If you already organize your contacts in Google Contacts using labels like “Clients,” “Work Mode,” or “Partners,” you’re already set. No need to create anything new — we’ll configure Google Voice and your device to respect this group.

Step 2: Turn On Do Not Disturb in Google Voice

1. Open the Google Voice app
2. Tap your profile icon and go to Settings
3. Enable Do Not Disturb

This sends all incoming calls to voicemail unless you’ve set exceptions.

Step 3: Set Exceptions for Your VIP Group (Legacy Google Voice)

1. Visit Google Voice Legacy Settings
2. Under Groups & Circles, locate your labeled contact group
3. Click Edit next to the group
4. Choose Custom Settings and forward those calls to your mobile
5. Leave all other groups unforwarded so they go directly to voicemail

Step 4: Android Users – Use Starred Contacts

1. Go to your phone’s Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > People
2. Set Calls From to Starred Contacts Only
3. Star your VIPs in the Contacts app

Step 5: iPhone Users – Use Focus Mode

1. Go to Settings > Focus
2. Create a new Focus mode (e.g., “Work Mode”)
3. Under People, allow calls only from selected VIP contacts
4. Set the Focus to activate during your work hours

You can also assign unique ringtones to your VIP contacts to identify them instantly when they call.

Route Other Calls to a Live Answering Service

For unknown callers, cold leads, or after-hours inquiries, use a service like Answer America. They answer calls on your behalf, take messages, and forward them to you via email or text — all while maintaining a professional presence for your brand.

Sign Up for Answer America Pay As You Go Call Center Service Today

Pro Tips

• Enable “Silence Unknown Callers” on iPhone to block numbers not in your contacts
• Use voicemail greetings to screen non-VIP inquiries
• Use Google Voice’s inbox to check messages on your schedule
• Never list your personal number publicly — always use a routed number

Protect Your Time and Productivity

As an entrepreneur, your time and attention are critical to your success. With the right setup, you can stay focused, protect your personal contact info, and ensure only your most important calls reach you directly.

Need help setting this up or want a custom solution tailored to your business?