I agree w/Tess (a few postings back ) - confidence in your ability to do this ON YOUR OWN is a key component of having a successful business. We all depend on a "helping hand" on occasion, but knowing that you are fully capable, if necessary, of doing without assistance is a tremendous ego boost.

I joined this forum just a few months after it started and, even at that point, was able to find an impressive amount of information that got me "up and running" in no time at all. I have been an "official" VA since June of last year and currently have 4 weekly clients and an "occasional need" client; all while still working a 9-5 job!

AND, my total startup costs (including filing fees, domain, website, business cards, stationary, etc.) were under $300. To date, I have invested a "whopping" $600 into Goddess (including startup fees, marketing costs, and office supplies) and have earned $2500 in the last 10 months since I began. Not bad for a "part-timer" who did it all from scratch...

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

Thanks for sharing your stats Lily- that is a great start and just goes to show, you don't have to plunk down a big chunk of change to pick someone else's brain

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

I was going to post about this earlier but got busy. But yes, thank you Goddess for posting this information it helps greatly.

I have spent so are $182 for domain reg, business cards, envelopes, car window decal and my LLC.

Thanks again for sharing.

Monique

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I agree w/Tess (a few postings back ) - confidence in your ability to do this ON YOUR OWN is a key component of having a successful business. We all depend on a "helping hand" on occasion, but knowing that you are fully capable, if necessary, of doing without assistance is a tremendous ego boost. I joined this forum just a few months after it started and, even at that point, was able to find an impressive amount of information that got me "up and running" in no time at all. I have been an "official" VA since June of last year and currently have 4 weekly clients and an "occasional need" client; all while still working a 9-5 job! AND, my total startup costs (including filing fees, domain, website, business cards, stationary, etc.) were under $300. To date, I have invested a "whopping" $600 into Goddess (including startup fees, marketing costs, and office supplies) and have earned $2500 in the last 10 months since I began. Not bad for a "part-timer" who did it all from scratch...

Welcome! i'm always glad to help and offer advice (whether it is wanted or not )

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

I guess everybody is doing things differently. I have ordered the VBSS (not arrived yet) and also am a new member of the VAClassroom marketing programme. I also have ordered the real estate book and am always on the lookout for other educational reading materials.

Studying is somehow my hobby, I'm on my third uni degree and can't stop. I just love reading what other people recommend, their experiences and how it would be easiest for me to do the business.

I feel better prepared when I know more. And to be honest, you can learn from almost every book you read. I also have the other VA books here to read and absorb. It excites me to read about my new business venture and to learn more about it. And while studying those programmes you learn also what you like doing and what you won't offer to your clients.

And if I ever get other VAs to join me (who probably be friends on mine whose quality work I admire) I can give them the resources to be up to scratch quickly. Having a VA practice with a team of specialised VAs/PAs is my ultimate dream and goal. The more I know about the business the better I can support them if it ever comes to fruition.

The VBSS also has CDs with other information available and I'm keen to see that material. Knowledge can't ever be harmful.

I for one am looking forward to receiving my pack.

You're so right that knowledge is never a bad thing Please post back with your experience and opinion on the VBBS when you've had a chance to work through it a bit.

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Well here it is over a year after this thread was started. How did those of you who purchased the VBSS kit do? Is your business up and running? Do you feel it was worth the investment?

Thanks for your answers.

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Kathy Martin
http://www.katsbusinessservices.com/

When this thread started, just over a year ago, the VBSS was $500 ... it is now $1,000. As has been said here, I too loathe the "hard sell". The marketing of this system subtlely, and not so subtley, promises almost instant success and an above average income which just feeds on people's dreams.

The reality is that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and constant networking over a period of time to build any business. All the information you need can be had by researching and right here on VAF.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

While we all value each others opinions here at VAF, I believe the original poster was asking whether anyone had bought a start-up kit and not so much whether we approved the VBSS marketing and sales page.

I entirely agree that

Originally Posted by Wordpro Wizard

The reality is that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and constant networking over a period of time to build any business.

However, some recent threads by newbie VAs demonstrate what appallingly bad judgment and resulting disastrous mistakes can be made when even the most basic of business procedures aren't put in place.

It seems that too many new VAs aren't willing to put in the time and energy researching before opening their doors and frankly could use some direction. Being told that all you need to be a VA is a computer, a printer and a website and all the information needed is on the web isn't doing those new VAs any favors. You need to spend some money investing in your business in some form or another.

If my investment in the VBSS prevented me from making me a mistake that cost me my business and saved me countless hours, then that's worth a lot. Now, having said that I will freely admit that I did not spend $1,000.00 on it. I spent around $300.00 because I was able to buy portions of it rather than the whole. Even at $500, it's a great deal for the astonishing amount of information you get.

You need to spend money on your business in order to make money. I recently spent close to $3500.00 on a new product to expand my business, but I know that is an astronomical amount for a new VA. However, having been in business for close to 5 years and doing extremely well, this is well within my budget.

It all comes down to ROI. Your Return On Investment. If you invest in that starter kit or web design course or a new piece of software, is that investment going to save you a comparable amount of time or make you money in the long run?

Only you can answer that, but advising new VAs they can learn everything they need to know on their own maybe isn't the best ROI for the amount of time that it will take. Nor does it take into account all that is involved which includes having some basic knowledge surrounding running your own business.

Hope that helps,

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Excuse me everyone Has anyone used this start-up system? At $997.00 , yes it is pricey indeed. However, it is compact and could very much help me to kick off my virtual assistant venture especially on the part where it will optimize my website to be high-ranked, it will create a professional website for me to use for marketing and promotion, the kit will include a professional business plan I can use for my reference and also to present to any bank for financial support purposes and lots more other things that I feel I need. What do you think? Opinion please. Thank you.

Rozlina

I'm just joining this thread, and it's been a very interesting read. I've only just actually launched my business, but have been researching it for 4 months. I was curious about the VBSS, but the price tag is too high. I have also considered the VA Insider's Club. The price is far lower, but still seems high. It also seems to have very good benefits. Is anyone a member? Has it been helpful? I'd appreciate your feedback.

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Sharon Foster
"Giving You the Executive Edge"

I see this thread dates back a while, but I'm wondering if someone has recently tried a business starter kit that really made the difference?

Christy

After mostly skimming through 6 pages of information over what looks like almost 2 years of discussion, I suppose I was hoping to get some of the "raving reviews" in this forum that were similar to the raving reviews posted in the testimonial section of the VBSS page. Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case. I understand that the majority of us don't like the way she did the ad for the package, etc...but there are clearly some who spent their money and I just want to know did they get their money's worth. More importantly, were there things in that kit that aren't available in the resource sections of this forum?

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Nikki Johnson
The Millionaire's Assistant™

Something like the VBSS may be helpful, but if you're willing to put in a huge amount of time, research, read and network both online and offline, you can do it without spending an arm and a leg. Buying a program in anything will not make you successful, hard work, dedication and perseverance will. The VBSS, or anything else, is not a magic pill that will make you (as it claims) instantly successful.

One of my dogs is a rescue, a nasty, evil, totally confused, dominant and biting little thing when she came. Can I buy her a magic pill to turn her into Rin-Tin-Tin? Nope, but with hard work, kindness, dedication and perseverance she's turning into a little sweetheart. It's taken me almost a year to turn her around.

Rave reviews? The other night I couldn't sleep and watched a little TV. Hit on a (I thought) Montel Williams show about identity theft. Turned out it was just a paid advertisement for an identity theft protection program. How much do you think Montel got paid for that? It's all marketing.

If you have no idea about business, contracts or the myriad of other things that go with running a business, research, research, ask questions in forums and network. There is so much valuable information here on VA Forum ... information that is free and you will find nowhere else.

Just my two pennyworth, but I am so very tired of marketers hawking "Magic Pills and Programs" to solve anything and everything.

Lynne

__________________
The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com