When did you start your business?
February 4, 2010. Celebrating 6 months August 4th!

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
Office assistance is something that I enjoyed, and being a single, home-schooling mom working from home had its attraction. So when I found myself in need of a job I decided to go for it.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?

• Do your research
• Network with other VAs
• Get a mentor & Accountability partner
• Get whatever training you need
• Do these before you start if possible, if not do it anyway.

What resources have helped you in your business?

• Virtual Assistant Forums
• Virtual Assistant Directory
• Other VAs
• Hess Business Professionals & Associates LLC
• Mentoring 2 Success
• Certifiedvp.com

Share something about yourself.
I play the piano & sing. I love to sew. I love to read. I enjoy sci-fi, romantic, romantic comedies, comedies, action, and horror movies. Most of all I enjoy being involved with whatever my children are involved with. I enjoy the time I get to spend with them, and I love watching them grow and learn.

Additional comments you’d like to share.
If you are just starting off and getting discouraged keep your chin up. It takes a lot of hard work to get a business started, but if you want to you CAN do it!!!

Rhonda’s Contact Information:
Rhonda Holscher, Rhonda’s Virtual Office
Website – http://RhondasVirtualOffice.com
Blog – http://rhondasvirtualoffice.wordpress.com/
Twitter – @RhondaHolscher
Facebook – Facebook page
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondaholscher

Have I got an amazing special for you!

You just know those words are going to be followed by a pitch, don’t you?

First, I’ll get the rant off my chest: telling me that you have $10,000 worth of ‘products’ for only $297 is selling, period. It’s not special, it’s not a gift. In fact, if these are electronic products with zero cost to reproduce, there’s no such thing as a ‘special’ price because even if I only give you a nickel, your profit margin on that sale was 100%.

Folks looking for yet another tricky advertising gimmick (you can tell them a mile off because all their prices end in ’7′) are delighted to imply that they’re giving you a gift, some amazing mega deluxe special extra deal, in order to make a sale.

Let’s stop corrupting what the words ‘gift’ and ‘special’ mean. Don’t you dare imply you’re doing someone a favor, and then ask them for money. Making a smaller profit isn’t a favor, it’s business.

Remember when you used to be able to ask someone out for coffee in order to get to know their business better? Smart folks realised that by unselfishly learning about others in order to send them qualified prospects, our networks grew and in the long run, it came back around to us.

Selfish folks figured this out, and started asking networking victims out to coffee to ‘learn about your business.’ And then, as soon as they’d trudged through the formalities, the hard sell started. Pitch pitch pitch.

Try asking someone out for coffee so you can learn about their business. Watch the panic in their eyes, the scramble for an excuse. Selfish sellers have done their best to suck the juice out of an unselfish but brilliant method of organically, humanly, growing your business.

Promise me that you, yes you, reading right there, will never resort to deception, no matter how subtle, in your marketing or your business. Promise me that if you offer a gift, it is truly a gift, with no thought of return. Promise me that your ‘special’ price is actually less than what you’ve actually sold for in the past, and explain why you’re reducing the price (otherwise, it just looks like you couldn’t sell it for a hundred so you’ll try fifty.) Promise me that you’ll stop ending prices in the number 7 because even if it works, it’s psychological trickery and it’s unethical and immoral.

Find someone who’s corrupting the gift culture which has been fundamental to civilization for thousands of years, and send them a link to this post. Let’s make sure everyone everywhere knows that we’re not gonna take it anymore. At the very least, the lazy clowns will have to find something else to corrupt.

Rise above the garbage and noise. You’re better than that. You know that, of course, but you’re afraid. I get it.

Sometimes being a hero is hard.

Leslie and I connected on LinkedIn while I was searching for virtual assistants in the British Columbia area. We were house sitting in BC in August. Though I didn’t get the chance to meet Leslie in person, I hope that changes in the future as we  hope to get back to BC, perhaps next August again.

When did you start your business?
I have been working freelance on various projects since 2000, on a part-time basis.  I officially registered my business and began seriously providing Virtual Assistant services in 2006.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I have over 20 years of corporate experience in positions such as Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Purchasing (Junior Buyer), Accounting, and Customer Service. Tired of the ‘rat race’, working long hours and nothing to show for it, I decided to use my existing skills to ‘work for myself’, and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience! It is SO gratifying.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
I believe researching the industry and planning are key elements for new and aspiring VAs to consider. I found a business plan extremely helpful in giving my new business direction, as well as knowing where my business would fit in in the current and future markets. I always recommend a book to new and aspiring VAs that was extremely useful to me in starting my own business, ‘The 2-Second Commute’. As well, knowing one’s personality traits is important – I consider dedication, commitment and self-discipline to be valuable qualities to portray.

What resources have helped you in your business?
Numerous resources have helped me in starting, maintaining and growing my business. Firstly, VA associations and networking forums have been extremely supportive. Many forums (like CVAN) offer teleseminars and webinars of varying topics associated with running a VA business, as well as knowledge databases. Secondly, through these forums and my own research, I have come across many free and lower cost business applications that I use in my work. This may be very cost effective for someone who is just starting out and has a limited budget and working capital.

Share something about yourself.
I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, Vancouver Island. Connecting with nature is relaxing and inspiring. So, I love walking/hiking trails, swimming and biking. On the intellectual front, I enjoy reading, both fiction and non-fiction. I also thrive on constant learning and education, so I upgrade my skills with information from both books and the internet.

Leslie’s Contact Information:
Leslie Adams, Adams Virtual Assistance
Website: www.adamsvirtualassistance.com
Blog: www.adamsvirtualassistance.blogspot.com (as of Sept.1, 2010)
Facebook: Facebook profile page
LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile Page

I first met Collette online at the Find Virtual website for Virtual Assistants. Collette and I have had many discussions about the industry and in particular subcontracting. If you are interested in doing work as a sub or are looking for a sub contracting virtual assistant, Collette can help you out. She has a monthly free call for those interested.

When did you start your business?
March 2007 while working fulltime and raising my two children.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
This has been a dream.  I wanted to stay home with my children yet continue with a career that I would expand my knowledge and skills.  It also is an achievement of learning something different or outside my regular experience.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Had I known I could have subcontracted for other VAs and learn as much as I have I wouldn’t have purchased so many unnessary learning tools. Learn from others.  Read VAs’ success stories.   Don’t get over booked when it comes to social networks.  Just a few and be an active member in the group by adding value.

What resources have helped you in your business?
eading success stories of others.  Corporate Mom Drop Outs is a book I can’t put down.  I also thrive on assisting other VAs by subcontracting.  They teach their knowledge by physically doing their tasks.  http://findvirtual.com has been one of my main resources along with Mom Masterminds. I’m also an audio learner there are a huge amount of podcasts that have taught me so much.  http://wahmtalkradio.com http://nicoleonthenet.com and Denise Griffitts series.

Share a success story or something about yourself.
No matter what type of goal I set I seem to accomplish it sooner or later.  The thing I want people to realize is how appreciative I am that I’m able to do so.  There are a lot of people who drop the ball if they’re not getting to the goal as quickly as they thought.  The key is to stick with it.  Maybe I’m not working from home full-time yet but I am learning more than I ever imagined and from the right people.  I’m from the midwest and technology isn’t many people’s forteit, however that’s what keeps me going.  So I chose to use it to my advantage and become a virtual assistant.

Additional comments you’d like to share.
If you’re a little nervous about getting started start slow.  Do it part-time for awhile.  Most of all I suggest working for someone else so they can somewhat take you under their wing.  It’s ok to ask for help.

Collette’s Contact Information:
Collette Schultz, Software Savvy Sub
Virtual Dream Office Services
Website:  http://softwaresavvysub.info
Blog: http://virtualdreamofficeservices.blogspot.com/
Twitter: virtualdream
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/virtualdream

During his one (and only) art class, Dr. Seuss turned his drawing paper around and was sketching sideways. The teacher scolded him, and said, “You can’t draw that way! If you do, you’ll never succeed.”

What Dr. Seuss knew, and the teacher didn’t, was that in order to succeed you can’t do what everybody else is doing. Nor can you try to appeal to everybody. You’ve got to separate yourself from your competition in some way. Many people can draw and write books for children. None of them can do it like Dr. Seuss did.

Be memorable

Dr. Seuss’s characters, The Grinch, Sam I Am, and The Cat in the Hat live on more than 50 years after they were first published because they’re unique. Before you try to market your business, think about what you offer that’s different. Do you specialize in a particular industry? Are you the most expensive or offer gold-plated, super-special service that’s completely over the top – like having papers delivered by a butler dressed in white tie and tails? Do you do one thing really, really well?

Stick to your passion

Dr. Seuss wrote a truly awful movie called The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T. It was so bad that he called it a “decabulous fiasco” and didn’t mention it in his official biography. He was doing something he wasn’t particularly good at. And it showed.

Choose a specialty that you care about. If you have a passion for genealogy, follow it and help people trace their ancestry. I love working with creative people, but I’d be hard-pressed to drum up much enthusiasm for promoting NASCAR. Be genuine, not artificial.

Not too narrow

If Seuss had stuck to writing for left-handed children named Max who live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he’d have been in trouble. No, his books were aimed at beginning readers. One of them (Green Eggs and Ham) had only 50 different words. A niche that is too small will make you unique. It won’t make you money.

Be yourself

You may be worried that other people have said and done everything there is to say about being a Virtual Assistant or found every niche that’s worthwhile. Someone else may also be concentrating on offering bookkeeping to dry cleaners – but they’ll bring different skills, a different perspective, and a different personality to their clients than you will to yours. Stick to what drives you.
As Dr. Seuss said,

Jodi Kaplan has been called the Clarity Driver and the Wizard of Words. She blogs about broken marketing and how to stop it at Fix Your Broken Marketing.

When did you start your business?
Pure Binary Business Solutions, LLC dbaLake Anna Bookkeeping originally started in 2002 as a sole proprietor. The entity Pure Binary Business Solutions, LLC was created in January 2009. In June 2010, Pure Binary Business Solutions, LLC launched Lake Anna Bookkeeping to manage all of the bookkeeping clientele both virtually and locally.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I became a full time Virtual Assistant in January 2009 so I could have a more flexible work schedule and be able to spend more time with my family. Prior to January 2009 I worked for a corporate company as well as working part time for my business.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
I can’t tell you how important it is to network, network, network! Also, for those new aspiring VA’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your business is to find your niche and stick to your niche. If you run across any type of work that does not fall within your niche, it is okay to subcontract out those services so you can stay FOCUSED!

What resources have helped you in your business?
I have found that LinkedIn has been very helpful with staying in touch with my contacts and to meet new contacts. It helps to join groups so you can bounce ideas off of each other and get feedback from others.

Share something about yourself such as a hobby.
Outside of enjoying spending time with my family, I enjoy drawing and sketching!

Additional comments you’d like to share.
I recommend keeping a list of VA’s and the type of services they offer so you can refer out work when you need to.

Carrie’s Contact Information:
Carrie Withers, Pure Binary Business Solutions, LLC dba Lake Anna Bookkeeping
Website: www.LKABookkeeping.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carriewithers

When Stacey first contacted me, she was unfamiliar with newsletters,  blogging, mass emails and social networking. Stacey needed to educate her prospects and clients about what she could provide as a corporate tax software expert. She wanted to give her prospects value and build her business.  And she needed someone to help her put processes in place so she could use her time more effectively.

I  set up a blog for Stacey, started her email campaign and created a newsletter template, and integrated social networking as an additional piece of marketing puzzle. In a short period of time, Stacey started blogging, contacting prospects via email and growing her business. She now has processes in place so she can easily and quickly use these tools to help grow her business. Read what Stacey herself has to say.

“As a corporate tax software expert, I knew nothing about Blogging, Newsletters, Professional Mass Emails or Social Networking. Thanks to Sue Canfield, you’d never know it! Sue and her team did an amazing job setting up my blog so that I had the highest opportunity to capture prospective client information and direct them to my company’s website! She also effortlessly put together a coordinating professional mass email system for me to promote my business. She gave me a fantastic education on using blogs, newsletters, professional emails and social networking to add value to my prospects and build my business at the same time!

“It is delightful to have Sue on my team, because as an entrepreneur herself, she always has her focus on building my business and getting a great return on my investment! Sue makes it so simple and easy for me so that I can focus on my business! When I began searching for a Professional Assistant, the one thing that was important to me was to find someone who could ADD VALUE to my business from an administrative perspective; not just “do my to–dos” for me–and I got MORE than that with Sue! She is the ultimate in professional assistants and her team is fantastic! If you are a professional who needs to “follow the profit” by spending your time on what really adds value to your business, then don’t hesitate for a second, hire Sue Canfield, or as we call her in our office, Sue Awesome!

“Working with Sue has saved me 15 hours a week in administrative tasks that I no longer have to do and 15 hours is worth $3,750 to me! Thanks Sue, for putting $3,750 dollars a WEEK back in my pocket!“–Stacey Martino, CFO Martino IT, Pennsylvania

What’s your greatest challenge in your virtual assistant business? Finding new clients, marketing strategies, setting up a blog or website, networking?

Here at Chief Virtual Officer Joel and Sue know that sometimes you don’t need ongoing coaching. You do need a mentor or business coach to brainstorm with and help you resolve a specific challenge you are facing. So we’re here to help you do just that.

We now offer 30-minute and 60-minute coaching sessions. We want to help you resolve your greatest business challenge today and can do so in just 30 -60 minutes.

• 30 Minute Coaching Session $50
• 60 Minute Coaching Session $75

You will have access to both Joel and Sue during the coaching session. To schedule your coaching session and resolve your greatest business challenge, send us an email at Contact@ChiefVirtualOfficer.com. Let us know if you’d like a 30 minute or 60 minute session and what days/times work best for you. We’ll contact you to schedule it and arrange payment.

Our Money-Back Guarantee: If after the session you don’t feel you received value, we will refund your money!

Calling all new and aspiring virtual assistants!

• How do you find your first client?
• What are affordable and effective ways to market your services?
• How can you attract and educate prospects with your website?
• How can you develop a business plan, blogging strategy and article writing strategy?
• How do you determine your rates and pricing structure?

Chief Virtual Officer offers an intensive 5-month course customized to your specific needs. Each month focuses on a specific area of your Virtual Assistant practice. Each week you will receive homework with specific strategies to implement in your business right away. In addition to two monthly coaching sessions via telephone, we will reply to all your questions via email as often as you like.

We are currently taking on new clients. Use the Contact Form to schedule your free 30-minute coaching session so you can determine if this is the right program for you.

Get all the details on our Coaching page.

Maureen and I met online while we were in British Columbia. We had the opportunity to meet in person on Monday and get to know each other better. I wish Maureen much success in her business.

When did you start your business? Jan 2010

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? I lost 3 jobs in a year due to the economy. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss so I thought it would be a good time to give it my best shot!

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs? It’s so easy to become overwhelmed learning everything. I started and then had to back up. I took a coaching course which helped me define my niche, target market, catch phrase, some marketing ideas… it gave me a better place to start.

What resources have helped you in your business? Networking online & offline. I use different social media sites for building online connections. Meeting other VA’s through VAnetworking.com & keeping in contact with them also keeps me focussed and encouraged. Offline networking includes events through BNI and Chamber of Commerce. I use AWeber for my newsletters and I can’t live without my iphone or ical. I’ve also joined the Women’s Enterprise Centre and have connected with a mentor through them.  I take a lot of webinars through BizLaunch (they are free and very informative).

Share something about yourself such as a hobby. I just moved onto 2 acres and have 98 chickens, 5 pigs, 4 sheep, 2 bunnies, 2 canaries & lots of wild birds and deer. Whenever I need a quick break, I step outside & say hello to them. They help me regroup, de-stress & I love it! And yes, we sell fresh eggs everyday!

Additional comments you’d like to share. Owning your own business is great, but a lot of work. It is imperative to keep a cheering squad close to you because there are days you wonder what you were thinking! Then you have days that you realize you wouldn’t change it for the world!

Maureen’s Contact Information:
Maureen Floris, Kairos Business Solutions
Website: www.kairosbusiness.com
Twitter: @kairosbusiness
Facebook Page: facebook/Kairosbusiness