VA Interview: Sandra Sims, Lighthouse Virtual Solutions

Sandra Sims

When did you start your business? 2006

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? I choose to become a VA due to not being able to find the right job in the “commuting corporate world”.  So I started out being a subcontractor for an Assistant Boy Scout leader and he encouraged me to do research to see it there were others out there like me.  And I did just that and found VAnetworking.com and everything just fell into place from there!  I have over 20 years experience in Real Estate and Administrative Assistant experience so it just seemed the more research that I did the more I knew that I was choosing the right thing for me to become a VA!  And I haven’t looked back yet!

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs? To do your research and decide a “niche” so that you won’t be too broad when you first start out since all of this can become quite overwhelming at first.  Maybe start out part-time and test the waters to see if it is right for you being your Own boss.  And know that if you are wanting your business to become a six-figure making business that it is going to take a good bit of hard work and that you can’t make it happen over night!

What resources have helped you in your business? I have gotten loads of resources and to list a few are:  VBSS VAnetworkings.com Virtual Business System was one of my first things that I acquired and it was well worth the money!  I have received several certifications from VAclassroom.com like Social Media Marketing Specialists, Facebook Fan page, and am currently taking Internet Marketing 2010.  I highly recommend all of their courses.  I am REPA Real Estate Professional Assistant certified along with REW Webographer certified and these courses I took through National Association of Realtors.

Share something about yourself such as a hobby. I love to do Cross-stitching, reading mysteries, and especially spending time with my family!!!

Additional comments you’d like to share. I thrive on subcontracting for other VAs.  I enjoy learning their knowledge by handling tasks for them and being able to increase their business as well as increasing mine at the same time.  They are great teachers and I have been able to broaden my support to them from what I learn in handling their tasks.  To those who may be apprehensive about becoming a virtual assistant start out slow, maybe doing it part-time for awhile and get your feet wet with some small jobs.  And as you market yourself and work for other VA’s which you will find networking at VAnetworking.com and findvirtual.com you will know that it is some of the most rewarding work that you will ever do!

Sandra’s Contact Info:
Sandra Sims, Owner, Virtual Assistant, Lighthouse Virtual Solutions

Website www.lighthousevirtual.com
Twitter twitter.com/lvsolutions
Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/sandra.sims2
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/sandrasimsva

VA Interview: Rosalind Harris, Instant Assistant Virtual Office Support

Rosalind Harris

Rosalind and I have been connected online through virtual assistant forums for some time. Thank you Rosalind for your interview here!

When did you start your business? January, 2007

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? I love being an Executive Assistant and helping busy professionals manage and organize their day.  Being a virtual assistant allows flexibility in choosing the type of work performed and selectively choosing the businesses and people I work with.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs? Do lots of research, ask questions, have a plan, look into programs that provide assistance and training for individuals who wish to start a business (i.e. chamber of commerce, Small Business Administration) network a lot, really think about where and how you spend money, be patient, stay true to your values, run an ethical business. Have confidence in the value that you provide clients.  It’s important when questioned about your rates. Avoid working on projects or with clients that are incompatible with your work style or business goals. The beauty of being in business for yourself is that you are no longer an employee and get to decide who your ideal client is. In the beginning, we all take on projects that we don’t like just to get our name out and hopefully generate additional business.  Once your business begins to grow, consider sub-contracting projects that you don’t enjoy or don’t know how to do.  Sub-contracting allows you to build relationships with other virtual assistants with various skill sets while expanding the types of services you can offer clients. A word of caution about sub-contracting.  Make sure the individual is reliable, trustworthy, and can perform the tasks needed.  Your reputation and that of your company depends on it. Make sure your clients know how much you appreciate them and their business.

Don’t get consumed with the idea of doing everything perfectly.  Mistakes are a part of learning how to run a successful business. Do what feels right for you. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider or implement ideas suggested by coaches or business contacts.  Just don’t get caught up in doing what everyone else thinks you should be doing, or gauging your success by comparing yourself to others. It’s counterproductive and will undermine your confidence.

Lastly, HAVE FUN! Don’t get so bogged down in the projects and details associated with running a business that you forget to enjoy the experience. Running a business is one of the hardest things you will ever do, but will also be one of the most rewarding. You will meet interesting people and have experiences that you could never have imagined.

What resources have helped you in your business? Forums, blogs, coaching, books? All of the resources mentioned have been helpful.  The most helpful was taking a four-month entrepreneurial training program offered by a local Chamber of Commerce, as well as graduating from an online Virtual Assistant training program.  Many of the clients I have today are a result of direct referrals from connections made through the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, by joining a Chamber of Commerce & networking with other virtual assistants.

Share something about yourself. Have been married to my high school sweetheart for over 25 years. Love reading, smooth jazz, crime shows, the Food Network, HGTV & a good glass of wine & trips to Maine. Hate snakes and bees, (don’t tell “Fear Factor”!)

Additional comments you’d like to share. Be willing to help and mentor other virtual assistants. If you belong to a VA forum and have the time, volunteer to serve on a committee, provide training, or write articles on a subject you know a great deal about. Don’t become a VA for the money.  That will come, but it will take time and much relationship building. Get involved in your community without the expectation of getting anything in return. By giving to others, you are helping yourself although it may not be immediately apparent.

Testimonial

I had the pleasure of attending one of the teleseminars offered by Sue and Joel.  The topic was the “Client/VA Relationship.”  At the end of the seminar, I had an idea for my next e-newsletter and learned some helpful client appreciation tips, one of the most valuable having to do with how to conduct client satisfaction surveys and the benefits of having the survey completed by a third party. Sue and Joel cover topics on issues that all VAs struggle with at some point. If you haven’t attended one of their teleseminars, I encourage you to do so.

Rosalind’s Contact Information:

Rosalind Harris, CPS/CAP, Chief Detail Officer
Business Name: Instant Assistant Virtual Office Support

VA Interview: Simone M. Pohl, Executive Virtual Services

Simone M. PohlWhen did you start your business?
I started my business in 2005 in Phoenix, AZ.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
My choice to leave corporate and become a VA came when I found out I was going to be a mother. Not only did I want to be a full-time mother but I wanted to continue to provide clients with administrative support. I really love helping others and felt that it would really benefit clients if they could work more closely with their assistants as apposed to going through a middleman so to speak.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Be sure to know where your niche is and invest in the VA communities that offer support and information classes such as starting a VA service or marketing your services. I would really recommend that everyone have some money saved up before going into this full-time. Sometimes there are fees for classes that could help, VA Networking sites that offer numerous resources, advice, job opportunities, etc.

What resources have helped you in your business?
Becoming part of the groups on Yahoo and LinkedIn. People can share so many ideas and offer support that can assist anyone in a number of ways such as growing your business, targeting the right individuals, offering support, etc.

Share something about yourself.
Right now my hobby is my daughter it seems, but I love to travel and read as well.

Additional comments you’d like to share.
I would just like to add that I am a bit different than most VAs in that I’m not trying to contract with as many clients as I can. I only wish to work long-term with just a handful of clients. I’m trying to create a 40 hour week so to speak. My goal is to work with clients one on one and be able to provide consistent, dependable and long-term support. I want to be able to provide for my daughter by providing my clients with excellent administrative support.

Simone’s Contact Information:
Simone M. Pohl, Executive Virtual Services (EVS)
Website
http://executivevirtualservices.net
Twitter http://twitter.com/EVServices4U
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/executivevirtualservices