First, allow me to apologize if this question doesn't belong here and for the long question. Okay, I work full-time and am finding it very challenging to squeeze in the time to focus on my start-up. I feel guilty doing research and/or any other VA related items during my employer's paid time. I went out and purchased a Blackberry to avoid using my employer's internet and so forth. Can anyone provide any suggestions, recommendations on how other VA's are doing this while working full-time? I'm keeping it quiet from my employer for now, not sure this is something I want to share w/ them yet. Thanks

One thing you can do is focus on getting clients in a different time zone than your own. That way you can use your off-work hours for client work, and still be able to make phone calls to them/for them during your client's business hours.

Thanks, that is something to seriously consider.

Celias,

I have not been in that position, but I just want to wish you the best of luck researching and starting up the business. This will be the hardest part juggling work and researching at the same time, but look beyond this time when you are free of the constraints of a 9-5 (or what ever hours you work) and you have a successful business.

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Vicky
www.c-vas.eu

Thanks, that is my horizon that I'm focusing on.

First, working full-time while starting your business on the side is definitely not easy, and it takes a lot of hard work. I know - I started doing it when I was six months pregnant. Now I'm back at work after my maternity leave and I'm working my tail off to get my business where it needs to be financially so I can quit my job. I must admit that I didn't put in as much work as I could have while on maternity leave, but now I've got great motivation (I had a taste of working from home while my daughter slept in my arms or in the next room and loved it so very much - I can't wait to be doing it again!) Basically, you've got to put every possible ounce of effort into building your business. That doesn't mean you have to work every second of the day, but when you're working full-time and have limited time to build your business, you need to make every minute count. That means you should, first and foremost, put time into creating your business and marketing plans. Set specific goals for yourself as often as you need to; for example, I create a schedule at the beginning of each week that details exactly what I want to accomplish that week, such as writing one article to be submitted to various online article sites, applying for six new jobs/projects online, etc. You might also find that setting specific work hours, like 7-9 p.m. for example, works for you. Just make sure that you stick with your set work hours and goals as much as possible. You wouldn't blow off your full-time job for the day (without backlash from the boss, at least) or fail to complete a huge project, right? Follow those same principles in your business.

Okay...stepping off my soap box now. I definitely don't want to discourage you, because working full-time while setting up a business can be done; many members of these forums are doing it now. The more focused you are, the quicker you'll see results. So ask yourself how long you want to be working two jobs, and you might find that working 10-12 hours days for a short period of time is worthwhile if it means you can quit your job and finally realize the freedom of working for yourself!

Best of luck to you!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

I work a 9-5 while also running Goddess (and my employer is unaware, as well).

My schedule fluctuates due to client work. Currently, I have 4 active clients so I work on Goddess M-F from 7-8am and 7-9pm and Saturday from 8am-noon. I HAVE to take Sundays off to maintain my sanity!

My cell phone doubles as my business number; my default ring is '30 seconds of silence' (pm me if this is something you want help setting up) and I let clients know that I don't answer my phone so to leave a message or, preferably, correspond by email. I check email first thing am, lunch, first thing pm.

I have explained to my clients (who ALSO don't know I work a 9-5) that phone calls disrupt my train of thought and lead to potential errors in my work, and cause a break in concentration that requires getting 'back up to speed' following the phone call. I try to return calls either at lunch or after work or, if necessary, during a quick break either morning or afternoon.

I work on marketing and networking when I am caught up on client work. Yes, it's brain damage!

Any questions?

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

Office Goddess Thanks a million for sharing that info. I wasn't sure if I had my plan down right for balancing my worlds. This is way helpful and I will take you up on your offer for the 30 second ring trick.I'll pm you shortly. Thanks again!

Tammi thank you for the great advice and words of encouragement. I know that feeling of being home with the kids, I was off of work for 8 mths last year after they outsourced our dept., fortunately we were able to afford me staying home, but eventually duty called and I'm back to work. My son wants me to be a stay @ home mom again, so he's my main motivation. That's good you're working on that now while she's still a baby. Thanks again!

Hi Celias - I wanted to let you know that I also work a full-time job and I am trying to start a VA business, so you aren't alone! I have no time at work to work on my VA business, so the advice everyone has given regarding time management and setting goals is very helpful.

I'm interested to hear from other VA's who transitioned from their full-time job to running their VA business full-time. How long did it take for you to start making enough of a VA income to justify leaving your full-time job?

I know you don't need to earn as much income working from home as you do working an outside job due to savings on clothes, gas, food, etc., but my fear is that my VA business will not bring in enough income to allow me to quit my full-time job.

I understand that everyone's situation is different and a "full-time income" will be different for everyone, but it would be encouraging to hear from VA's who have made the leap and how they did it.

Hello vawrite, I'm up late...doing what else...researching my VA stuff, but that's okay since it's officially the weekend and of course I had to "check-in" to see if anything new and exciting has posted. Thanks for letting me know that there are other VAs out there working full-time and trying to start up their business. Everyone's advice has been extremely helpful. I'm feeling better about the situation after asking the question. Every day as I check-in I'm glad to be a part of this forum. Thanks!

Sorry to Hi-Jack this thread, but some very useful tips here ... thanks for sharing. I'm planning on returning to the UK from Singapore in August 2008, start by doing some temp agency work and whilst doing that establish my VA business. I'm wondering if I can get a two-number sim card for my mobile, so have business calls on one number with a different ring tone, and personal calls on the other?

I've never heard of having 2 numbers on one sim. But maybe have 2 phones and forward one to the other?

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Amanda Moore
Virtual Assistant
VagabondetteVA Blog

I did not have to juggle a steady 9-5 and starting my VA business.

But, I did do temporary jobs to help out while getting started. The funny thing was - when I did apply for a normal 9-5, no one would hire me. I realized it was the age thing and the salary thing. Sigh.

But, that is okay. I made up my mind to be a VA and it was like the Universe heard the switch click. I signed with a new client for the next 6 months and filled my practice.

I do have to juggle the grandkids once in awhile - but that is a case of simply letting my clients know that I have them visiting and work will be done around activities. No one has ever complained. The gist of being a VA is doing the work on your schedule.

I have a friend who does have a 9-5 and works before work, at home during her lunch, after work, and weekends. That is too much stress for me. But, she does just fine.

Good luck - and hang in there!!

FYI - since I use my cell phone for business (and the boss doesn't know about Goddess ) I was asked what VM message I use....

"You have reached Lily Chambers. I am unavailable at the moment; please leave a message at the tone and I will return your call shortly"

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