Tahneesha Smith, professional Virtual Assistant and President of A Virtual Blessing Virtual Services, specializes in executive administrative support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Smith established A Virtual Blessing in 2008 from the desire to utilize her administrative and organizational skills to help other businesses succeed.
Prior to helping small businesses achieve their goals; Smith pursued a few of her own goals. In 2003 she earned her Bachelors degree in Legal Studies with a minor in Business. She has also held administrative roles as a staff assistant for county government, civil law legal secretary and presentation specialist for a military school. Smith served four years in the United States Air Force receiving numerous awards including, Airman of the Year and Airman of the Quarter. Tahneesha states that he most important and rewarding accomplishment is being a devoted Christian wife and mother of two.
You can connect with Tahneesha through her company website and blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and right here at Virtual Assistant Forums.
How long have you been a virtual assistant and what drew you to the industry?
I have been a Virtual Assistant for a little over a year now. Having been a SAHM for several years, I was drawn to industry because of the desire to keep my administrative skills current, learn new skills, flexibility to work from home and care for my family.
How do you define success?
I define success as
actually “doing” it. For years I dreamed about working from home. I researched different work from home options from telecommuting, Virtual Assistant companies to legal researcher. It took a while before I realized that I could actually be successful working for myself.
When did you realize you were ‘a successful virtual assistant’?
I realized a few months into my first year of business after contracting with my first client. I felt I had stopped dreaming and started doing!
What are the top five tools or resources you use on a regular basis in running your own business?
1.
Google Apps: I really love Google Apps – so I feel the need to expound. I like gmail, calendar, documents, alerts and ESPECIALLY its reader. These are all very useful free tools.
2.
My Hours
3.
Quickbooks
4.
Social Networking via VAF, Twitter, Smaller Indiana and the CBNA
5.
Other Virtual Assistants (never underestimate the resourcefulness of another VA)
What’s your number one source for new clients?
My number one client source has been through social networking via Twitter and local forums. Sometimes, I receive inquires for services that I do not provide and refer to other trusted VAs.
Has your ideal client profile changed at all since you first started your business?
When I first started I didn’t even have an ideal client and wanted to work with anyone that wanted to work with me. I also spent countless hours bidding on projects on Odesk. I realized this was not a good use of my time and focused more on marketing my own business.
After working with a mentor; I was better able to identify that ideal client.
Do you network locally?
I started local networking a few months ago and have not contracted any clients from it; however, it has increased my visibility in the community.
How do you feel about social networking for business – do you implement it and if so, has it been a successful addition to your marketing efforts?
I really enjoy social networking more now than when I started. I try to schedule time to do so Monday through Friday. It has proven beneficial in my business. I have not only obtained new clients but have built relationships with other Virtual Assistants. Social networking definitely opens the door to the world from your laptop.
What is the one thing you ‘wish you’d known’ when you first started out?
I wish I would have really realized how much time and effort goes into marketing your business. It is an ongoing process. I also did not realize how important branding is to your business in order to make it stand out in a rapidly growing industry.
What do you love most about being a virtual assistant /self employed businesswoman?
I love the flexibility that comes with owning a business and working from home. I have the best of both worlds. I am truly blessed.
What are your thoughts on the $3 per hour call centers overseas that market themselves as Virtual Assistance practices?
I would not consider a $3/hr call center a Virtual Assistant practice and it under-minds our industry. Thus making it harder for the public to truly understand and appreciate VAs and the vast services we provide. It furthers the miseducation of our industry and the mentality “that you can get something for nothing”.
What’s your best advice for aspiring VAs thinking of starting their own practice?
Research, ask questions, and work hard. Persevere – it is not always easy, but you can do it. I would also suggest forming a network of trusted VAs.
How do you balance work and family life and what relative challenges have you overcome?
Something that I actually overcame a few years ago was PROCRASTINATION. I used to be a huge procrastinator but after my second child I found this was just not an option anymore. So this has been very beneficial in my work/life balance; I have substituted procrastination with prioritization.
I am first a Christian, a wife, a mom and then a business owner. This is not to diminish being a business owner because I do appreciate my clients. I don’t ever want to forget the main reasons that drew me to the industry... the flexibility to work from home and care for my family. One tip that keeps me ahead of the game on most days is waking before the family and this helps in the organization of my day. I am able to accomplish a lot while they are sleeping. Also on most days, my husband’s schedule is able to compliment mine. He is able to keep an eye on the kids if I have an important task or project to take care of. He is a great support.
Interview with Tahneesha Smith of A Virtual Blessing
in the Air Force and would like to ask how you feel the discipline you gained being in the military has impacted your role as an entrepreneur?
shines.
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