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

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

Fiona and I first connected on Twitter when I was looking for fellow Virtual Assistants to connect with. I was immediately drawn to her since my youngest daughter's name is also Fiona.

When did you start your business?
1st July 2010

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I have been doing this work for a while now for my 'other half' with his small business.  So I thought I'd extend the services to a broader range of people.  When I started I never realised what a huge industry this actually is.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Be prepared and research.  There is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming.  Have a clear market and goal to start.

What resources have helped you in your business?
Good time management and my iphone. Some of the apps, I could not do without, such as Hootsuite for social media, Dropbox and Bjango Jobs.

Share something about yourself such as a hobby.
In my spare time (what little I have) I like to read and also dance.   My favourites shows have en escapist theme. Lois & Clark, Big Bang Theory, Charmed, Twilight series (novels and movies)

Fiona's Contact Information:
Fiona Rodgers,  Samurai Office Services
Website: www.samuraiofficeservices.com.au
Blog: www.samuraiofficeservices.com.au/blog-2
Twitter: http://twitter.com/samuraioffserv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SamuraiOfficeServices
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/samuraiofficeservices

We recently started profiling Virtual Assistants on our blog on Wednesdays. We started with Virtual Assistants (VAs) we personally know and have worked with. We're now opening it up to other VAs. If you are a Virtual Assistant and would like to apply to have your profile listed at our blog, please use our Contact Form and let us know. You can see the profiles of other VAs we've interviewed to get an idea of what we're looking for.

These are the questions we ask:

1. When did you start your business?
2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
4. What resources have helped you in your business?
5. Share something about yourself such as a hobby.
6. Additional comments you’d like to share.

We also ask you to include your photo and the following contact information:

• Your Name
• Business Name
• Website
• Blog, if you have one
• Twitter Handle if applicable
• Facebook Page
• LinkedIn Profile Link

So prepare your information and share it with us using our Contact Form.  We will post one interview each Wednesday. We look forward to meeting many new Virtual Assistants!

When Joel and I first met Paula online we knew she was our kind of people. She's smart, fun and easy to talk to. I hope you enjoy her interview.

1. When did you start your business?
January 2008

2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
In 2007 I realized I had hit a “brick wall” in my corporate career. I began looking for a new job but wasn’t excited about getting another j-o-b. Then one day I watched a TV news interview of a successful VA out in Montana and realized I could do that! I purchased a couple of books on how to be a VA and with a little prior planning I quit my corporate job and established my new business.

3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
I have two:
Polish your networking skills and force yourself to get out of the house and meet people.
Do not buy anything at the office supply store until you absolutely have to!

4. What resources have helped you in your business?
I recently read The Commonsense Virtual Assistant and recommend it to new VAs. My local business assistance center and my local chamber of commerce have been a huge help in getting me clients.

5. Share something about yourself.
Being self-employed I tend to work too much. I am not comfortable “just sitting around”. Realizing I need to relax more I recently took a knitting class. It’s the perfect hobby for fidgety people and it gives me the mental break I need.

6. Additional comments you'd like to share.
If you are considering a career change I highly recommend becoming a Virtual Assistant. There is plenty of work for all of us!

Paula's Contact Information:
Paula Hill - Virtual Assistant
Website: http://paulahill.com
Blog: http://paulahill.com/paulas-blog/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/paula_hill
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/panther.city.paula
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulahill