Doreen Patrick brings over 15 years of business support services to her almost two year old company, Virtual Business Partners (VBP). Doreen founded VBP as a solution for companies and business owners seeking specialized sales, marketing and administrative support. VBP specializes in the insurance/financial services industries and has created the first ever niche training certificate for the industry. Within its first year, Doreen has successfully built her practice in to a full time business.

Doreen also holds an AA in Business Management, a Paralegal Certification, and a university level Associate, Customer Service insurance designation through LOMA (Life Office Management Association). Doreen was nominated for the 2006 Administrative Excellence Award. In 2007, Doreen earned the distinction of Master Virtual Assistant. Doreen is also a member of the Woodridge Chamber of Commerce and is their Chairperson of the Women in Business Committee.


Read what Doreen has to say about her her business practices, her marketing secrets, and what inspires her most. (feel free to reply to this thread with any questions or comments you have for Doreen!):

How long have you worked as a professional Virtual Assistant, how many hours a week do you devote to your practice?

I have been a professional VA for close to two years. I devote at least 30–35 hours per week to my clients and my practice.

What drew you to the industry initially?

I have always wanted to own my own business and in the beginning, I had a hard time figuring out what exactly I wanted to do! After working in the corporate world for almost 15 years, I had discovered that I had reached a plateau in my career and in order to make some serious changes in my career, I had to create my own opportunities. It was during my research that I discovered virtual assisting. I decided to make what I already excelled in to a business, thus Virtual Business Partners was born.

What were the 5 most important steps you took in establishing your practice?

Research – It is very important to research how you want to set your company up, the industry or industries you would like to provide services to and how you are going to reach and market to them, software that you will need, any business licenses that you may need, how you will set up your office etc.

Business/Marketing Plan – It is very important to have these in place before you open your doors

Web Site - Having a good and functional web site will speak volumes! Remember first impressions are lasting ones. Often, it will be your web site that will be first point of contact for a potential client. It is important that the content is updated and fresh, no typos, and that it is easy to navigate. You wouldn’t show up to a business meeting with “holes” in your pants, be sure that there are no “holes” in your web site!

To Niche or Not to Niche? – That was a question that I struggled with. I determined that for my practice, I couldn’t be all things to all people so I decided to niche in the industry that I came from, which was financial services. I find that it is easier to market narrow and deep instead of trying to reach everyone. I researched where to find my target market, established relationships and joined organizations to which they belong.

Belief – As a business owner you have to believe 100% in yourself if you want to succeed!

How do you definte the IDEAL Virtual Assistant?

An ideal virtual assistant is one that operates on integrity, sound values and ethics and is 100% committed to their own and their clients’ success.

How do you define the ideal client?

An ideal client is one that understands the value of working with a virtual assistant. They see the value as an investment in their company and not as an expense. It is through patient guidance and education that we can educate the expense minded potential client to realize the benefits of working with a VA.

What is your favorite part of your work as a VA?

Having full creative control over my business and assisting my clients.

Knowing what you know now, what would you go back and tell yourself two years ago?

You won’t be sorry that you took the risk and opened your own company!

What do you do to set yourself apart as a professional within the industry?

I created VA niche certifications specializing in the financial services/insurance industries!

How much time per week do you devote to marketing your practice, what are your top marketing strategies, and why?

I spend at least an hour or more per day trying to build my practice. If I am not researching my target market, responding to RFPs, I am preparing mailers or emails to send out. Trying out different marketing techniques has proven to be very successful for me. From sending out mailers to attending networking events, I am able to gauge the success rate of where I am finding and retaining my clients.

How has running your own business changed your life?

Owning my own business has helped me realize my potential and it allows me to continually challenge myself. The ability to have full creative control over my company and being my own boss has given me valuable skills that for me personally, I couldn’t have possibly learned while working in corporate.

What is it that keeps you working to develop your skills and practice?

My personality is that I love a challenge, whether it’s figuring out a bug in some software or reading on the latest and greatest news in the VA industry helps guide me in to what I need to know and learn to stay updated in my business.

Do you schedule in personal/vacation time on a regular basis? How do you ensure you accommodate your clients' needs at the same time?

It is very important to schedule personal and vacation time as a way to de-stress, relax and reconnect with your family! I always give notice to my clients when I will be on vacation and will line up a subcontractor if needed.

Favorite success-oriented inspirational quote?

I have two. “Life is too short.” After my 15 year-old daughter suffered sudden cardiac arrest during volleyball in October 2006, it is important to stay clear and true to your values, beliefs and most of all, your family. Today, she is doing well and with the help of life-long medications and a defibrillator, she can lead a normal life. She has truly been an inspiration to me.

My tag line, “What is more time spent with current and potential clients worth to you?”

What people are saying about Doreen Patrick and Virtual Business Partners:

“Working with Doreen was a pleasure. Work was done properly, efficiently and in a timely manner. I could not have been happier. One of the keys in my position was working directly with that portion of the MTL Ins. Co. field force that was in my region with timely responses getting to them. Doreen was very sensitive to that issue and whenever her help was needed, she responded in a time frame with correct information that was invaluable to me, but of more ultimate importance, invaluable to MTL.”
-Keith Koppen, MTL Insurance Company

“I had an excellent experience in working with Doreen. She was always on top of what was going on. She streamlined work, reports and communication. She was able to adapt and adjust quickly with work situations changed without a problem or delay. Her work was always impeccable, prompt and accurate. Her organizational and technology skills allowed her to improve processes, procedures and reports within our organization. This significantly improved the quality of work, the timeliness of information and efficiency of all.”
-Lori Pajeau, MTL Insurance Company

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Inspirational interview Doreen!
Loved it. Thank you.

Hi Doreen-- Great interview!!!

I absolutely love your 5 important steps in establishing your practice.

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Creative & Strategic Web Design Services
www.aivirtualsolutions.com

Awww...thanks everyone!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

Doreen, I was really moved by the story of your daughter....truly an inspiration! You must be incredibly proud of her. Thanks for sharing that with all of us

I'm curious to know how much time and preparation went into creating your certification program (without giving away any trade secrets of course ), that must have been quite a process!

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Hi Tess,

There was a lot of preparation going in to the certification program! I worked along side a successful Regional Sales Director of an insurance company that I used to work for. Together, we created a survey that we gave to agents in the Northeastern part of the United States. We used the survey as part of our fact-finding to determine the need, what skill set a VA needed and how a VA would best be utilized within the industry. I then went on to find an educational provider because I had to be sure that what a VA was going to learn or wanted to learn, that it came from one of the most respected educational providers. My role in the certification process is to educate other VAs about the opportunties that exist and to be lliason for providing the educational opportunity. The nice feature about the certification is that is could be stepped, meaning there are other certifications and designations that can be obtained to further one's educational goals. Lastly, my designer created the logos and assisted with some of the copy. Once the web site went up, we were good to go and out came the press release. I am pleased to say that I have already had one graduate and one other VA is currently enrolled!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

That's amazing...what a process. I had no doubt that you'd invested quite alot in the end result, but couldn't imagine where the 'starting point' was. It must have been a real learning experience for you as well!

Congrats on the grad - and abundant, continued success to you

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Thanks for the encouragement! Just the other day I found out that I was selected to be on the Board of Directors for my Chamber of Commerce! EEEEKKKK...I'm nervous now becasue this is the real deal! I never would have gained this much experience in the corporate world! It's a great day to be a VA! I encourage everyone to get involved in an organization, you just never know where it will take you or the people that you will meet!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

Wow! Congratulations, Doreen! Thank you for sharing all of the information. I found your 5 important steps of establishing your business very helpful. The niche comment got my creative juices flowing. Thank you for this invaluable insight.

Doreen, wow - major congratulations on the board seat!! That's wonderful! I agree - becoming a part of an organization like a local Chamber is an important step in the right direction. Now...just as soon as I'm somewhere such a thing exists...lol

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