I'm new to these forums and in the process of starting up my VA business. I am impressed and moved by how warm and helpful everyone on this site has been. Thank you!

Honestly, I find myself almost terrified by what's to come. ) This is new territory for me (running my own business) and I love reading the interviews and experiences from all of you.

In searching the internet, I see there is no shortage of books, packages, and mentoring programs for sale for an up-and-coming VA biz, but I also see many claims that some of these are scams.

With regard to mentoring, can anyone recommend a program/person I might be able to "observe" more closely; possibly build a relationship with; and from whom I might be able to glean some valuable input?

Hi Colleen. I can't help you much, but I'm interested in the answers you might get from your question - so I'm replying here to bring your post back up to the top of the list.

There's one blog you might be interested in following - the 30 Day VA. It's a chronicle of a 30 day VA mentorship. I think they are both members of this forum (Anna Baron and Linda Rebsamen). Last I looked they were on day 13.

Deb

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Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

Thank you Ivy. I will definitely check into that while we wait for more input. Nice to meet you.

i would start with the master list right here on the forum, then make a list of questions and start using the search feature here to find threads with those topics. I think you will find most of the answers you need without paying money for them! And, of course, we are always happy to help with any questions to which you can't find answers.

Feel free to pm me w/your email address and I will send you my 'how I started this' list...

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Oh, and don't forget to enter the draws for the Mentorship Giveaways in the VAF 2 Year Anniversary Bash section. Need to do that pretty quick because they're announcing the winners on April 28/09.

Deb

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Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

If you don't win a mentor, there is always the option of purchasing 'mentor time' from other VAs. Again, I would go through the master list, make a list of questions to which you can't find answers, and then, if you still feel it necessary, pay a mentor to help you with your list. BUT - remember that most of the answers will be available here on the forum.

You can also post an RFP here on the forum if you want to hire a mentor.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Deb, thanks for the link to the 30 Day Va, I'm going to follow along.

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Edna

Wonderful! Thank you so much Lily. I will definitely do this.