When 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