I just saw the interesting thread asking experienced VAs about their business and thought I would like to know how long you have been in business. My other question is in what way has your business grown the most. When did you consider yourself established and knew that you would succeed as a VA.
diana
Great question! I 'opened my doors' two years ago last June. My business has grown from a 'part-time extra income' concept to a 'this will support me' vision over the last two years. I knew right away I could do this and make a living at it; I still work a 9-5 since I am the primary support for our family but I know that if I were to lose this job (I've been here for 4.5 years) that it wouldn't take long to go full-time VA. The contacts are in place, the networking/marketing have been very successful and I have had to turn potential clients away! I am mostly waiting until my boss (who owns the business) to semi-retire, which he says will be probably within the next 3 years, sell the business, and then just research and write books for publication. He will most likely become a Goddess client at that point.
I opened my doors last week *laughs*. No clients yet, but I'm working at it. Just had my first press release picked up by the local paper, and I'm working on a direct mail campaign.
November will be three years for me. I considered myself established when I first got a client on my own. Not a sub-job, not from a website like guru or elance, just a client that came from my own marketing efforts.
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Jenifer D
I am entering into my second year of business. I knew I would be successful the minute I opened my doors and knew I was established when I received my first referral.
As of March of this year I have been a VA for 4 years. My business is purposely part-time; but considered myself established after I got my first client.
It's hard for me to pinpoint how my business has grown the most; but, over the years I have been able to better discover who my target market and niche is. It has been a long process, that. :-)
Years ago I was a programmer with a telecomm company and everything I did was from my dining room table sitting on my laptop. I look back and think, I was a VA (not my own business) 10 years ago.. I actually 'opened my doors' in Jan of this year. I have 2 clients so I guess I can consider myself established but I am still looking for more clients.. When I have to turn them away, THEN I will consider myself established!!
How long have you been a VA?
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
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