Stacey Harris, who owns On Demand Virtual Assistant, has been working in a range of different administrative capacities for nearly a decade. With the understanding that technology is constantly changing, she is committed to an ongoing education of the newest technology, both in hardware and software. Stacey now uses her skills and education to help other business owners conquer the tasks for which they simply do not have time. She has built her business on the same foundation that she builds her life: honesty, loyalty, and commitment.
You can connect with Stacey right here on Virtual Assistant Forums, as well as on Twitter,
Facebook, and LinkedIn. Be sure to stop by Stacey's virtual assistant business blog as well!
Stacey generously took the time to chat with us about business goals, her ideal client, her five year plan, and more. Feel free to post a reply, question or comment for Stacey in the thread below!
What is your company name? Is there a story behind the name?
My company name is On Demand Virtual Assistant, it was chosen for very simple reasons. I work a little differently than some virtual assistants. I have office hours and I work in addition to projects and things basically on demand for my clients. They can call/email/text/instant message me anytime during those business hours with something that needs to be done right then or same day.
How long have you been a virtual assistant and what drew you to start up your practice?
I actually started in January 2011 working for different freelance sites and that is how I learned about virtual assistants, I decided in May of 2011 I wanted to strike out on my own instead of working the freelance sites. I opened up officially July 5th 2011 and have been growing since.
What was the startup phase like for you? Please share your biggest triumphs/hurdles overcome from this time.
My start-up phase was relatively painless, I was able to open my virtual doors with a client already on board that I had networked with during my time on the freelance sites. That was an enormous help. My biggest frustration was actually building my website. I write a lot, but for some reason I had no idea what to write when it came to my site. I finally just forced myself to sit down and write everything I could think of and edited later. I am also very lucky to have an amazing editor friend who was a huge help.
What is your specialty/niche?
I work with small and medium sized business owners who already have a pretty good grasp of technology.
What’s on your to-do list today?
My to-do list today is a lot of clean up. My clients and I are all coming back from the Thanksgiving holiday we’re all playing catch up.
What’s your definition of success?
I define success by happiness. I work to build strong relationships with my clients that are always mutually beneficial. I enjoy what I do, and I enjoy the clients I work with. That is success.
What are the top five tools or resources you use on a regular basis in your business?
·
Outlook, it helps me manage my email accounts both for my own business as well as any email accounts I have with a client’s business in one place.
·
Skype, it’s an amazing tool both for the simple text instant message but also the ability to share a screen and show an issue or help solve a problem a client is having
·
Toggl, it allows me to show my clients exactly how time is spent, and also helps me track what is happening for each client at any given time.
·
WordPress, I manage my site through WordPress.org. It makes it so easy to blog, and manage the site in one simple place
·
GoToMeeting, it allows me to conference with clients about projects so simply.
What’s your number one source for new clients?
Networking and word of mouth are simply the best possible ways to get new clients. I’m also a firm believer that if
you’re not willing to talk about your business why would your existing clients?
Who is your ideal client? Has your ideal client profile changed at all since you first started your business?
My ideal client is smart, driven, creative, open minded, kind, honest, determined, and technically savvy. He or she also knows the value of time both their own and mine. It has I was absolutely one of those people who when I started said my ideal client was someone willing to pay me. No I find a higher value in having clients that I work well with rather than just having clients.
What is the one thing you ‘wish you’d known’ when you first started out?
I wish I’d known how much fun I would have growing my own business before I started it. I think I would have done it a lot sooner.
What do you love most about being self-employed/working from home?
I really enjoy being accessible to my family and my life. I like that I can forward my phones and grab my tablet and work from the road if I’d like to.
What’s your advice for aspiring VAs?
Talk! Open your mouth and share your business with everyone you can. I’ve had a few potential clients come from someone who I only spoke with mentioning me to someone they knew because I shared with them what I do. Also never forget balance. You work for yourself so you’re in charge of your days off! We all need to recharge sometimes.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in your business and how did you fix it?
My biggest mistake was thinking I had to take every client who called. I cleaned up a bit, and now I am more selective if and when I respond to an RFP or go to contract with a potential client. Even on short term projects, a negative client experience isn’t going to help either of you.
How many billable hours a week do you work? What is your schedule like?
My business is still not full, I work probably 10 billable hours per week, the rest of the time I work on filling up those remaining billable hours. My schedule is simple, I work Monday – Friday from 9am MST to 5pm MST. In that time I do a mix of client work and my own marketing.
How many non-billable hours a week do you work? What do you spend that time on?
I work about 30 non-billable hours a week. I spend that time marketing, and building content for my blog. As well as continuing my education with new technologies and networking.
What question do you get asked most often about your business and how do you answer?
"What does a virtual assistant do?", is probably the most common question. I share with those who ask what I can help with specifically. I mention that I can help a business owner spend more time growing profits and less time handling their day to day paperwork.
Looking ahead, what’s your five year plan?
My five year plan is to grow an ongoing full roster of clients, I enjoy having long-term clients as well. I’d also like to help aspiring virtual assistants do the same. I like to share the advantages of taking time to grow your own education, it’s essential to help your business and your client’s business grow.
Interview with Stacey Harris of On Demand Virtual Assistant
Linear Mode
