Hello! I am just starting my VA business and I have a couple questions for all of you. Did you all start out Full-time or Part-time? I am working a Full-time job (8-5) and I was thinking to start my VA business after 5 PM. Do you think that is a good idea? I am planning to launch Full-time in a year. If you are Part-time, tell me how successful has your business been so far.

Thanks for all the advice!

Hi

I can't offer advice, but I am in the same boat you are in. I work a full-time job (8 am - 4 pm) and I also commute (approximately one hour each way) so my life is very busy. I plan to launch my business in February 2010 and will be starting as part time. I think it is a great solution until you get a bigger client base and it is affordable to become full time. My plan is to work after 5 pm and on weekends.

I look forward to what other people have to say who have been in the same position.

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Denyse Giguere
Cimarron Business Solutions

Hello Virtual Office Solutions and Denyse, I am in the same predicament and the both of you, I work from 8:30 - 4:30 and I have been struggling on how to work the business part-time. I am in the middle of revamping my website and as soon as I am done I will open officially for business. Let me know of any good strategies you may come up with in order to run this type of business part-time.

Ivette

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Ivette Matos, Excel Virtual Services
http://www.excelvirtualservices.com

I work a 9-5 and Goddess is 2 1/2 years old. I do VA work from 7-8:30am and 7-9pm (or later)M-F, and 8-noon Saturday. I check and respond to voicemail and email during my morning and afternoon breaks and during lunch. And no, my boss doesn't know about Goddess.

I currently have 5 active clients, which keeps me pretty busy. Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions about working a 9-5 while building up your business. also try doing a search on the forum as there have been quite a few inquiries regarding this subject. Lots of us are in this position!

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

Hi Lily,

Thank you so much for posting this. It is of great encouragement to read and in a couple of weeks when my site is up and running again, I will pm your for some tips and pointers.

Thanks again.

Ivette

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Ivette Matos, Excel Virtual Services
http://www.excelvirtualservices.com

You all can call me Kisha! (I've tried to change my name, but for some reason I can't)
OMG! Thank you guys so much. I thought I was the only one because I never hear or have I read anything about Part-time VA's. This really makes me feel better.

Denyse, I too will be launching mine in February. I found a great website designer here in my home town for only $400 (http://www.salimedia.com/) His name is Anthony and he's running a special for the month of December if you want to check him out.

I am also going with after 5 on the weekdays and I've decided to have my clients access to 'IM MESSENGER' live to be available when I am not at home. I'm not sure how I will work that into my schedule.

Goddess, It seems that your clients are perfectly fine with the after 5 hours and that was my only concern, finding clients who are willing to work with me during that time.

Thanks again everyone!

I started part-time in 2005. I left my full-time position in 2007.

IMHO - It is perfectly acceptable, and probably expected, that you would begin part-time. Being a VA isn't something you can just do. You need to bring experience. I can read every cookbook Julia Child ever wrote, but until I actually start cooking I am no chef.

It takes a while, but can be done.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Originally Posted by Virtue Office Solutions

Goddess, It seems that your clients are perfectly fine with the after 5 hours and that was my only concern, finding clients who are willing to work with me during that time.

My clients don't know my working hours - none of their business as long as their work gets done!

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

Hello everyone

So nice to hear that others are also doing the part-time tightrope thing!

I will be running my business part-time for at least the next 6 months or so, and working full time on a contract position to keep functioning.

I was lucky enough to get involved with typing of CV's and HR project work for the company that placed me in my current contract position. Working evenings and weekends is sometimes tough and inconvenient, but I know in the long run, being my own boss will be worth it.

I totally agree that you need some time to find your feet, and build up clients and systems that work for you, so part time is not bad way to go.

Good luck all of you!

Susan
GoFish SA

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

My clients don't know my working hours - none of their business as long as their work gets done!

WOW! I didn't think about it like that. Ha ha ha ha!! Thanks I am on board with that...

So Ladies!
After posting this, I must say that I slept very well last night. I am so excited about starting my business.

Goddess, I would like to contact you with more questions, if I have any in the near future. I would like to keep this thread going with any other Part-time VA's.

Thanks and have a blessed day!

Originally Posted by Virtue Office Solutions

So Ladies! After posting this, I must say that I slept very well last night. I am so excited about starting my business. Goddess, I would like to contact you with more questions, if I have any in the near future. I would like to keep this thread going with any other Part-time VA's.

I'm glad we could help! Feel free to contact me any time and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. (This goes for anyone who has questions.)

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

I plan on working my VA business part time at least for the next 6 months before I end my contract I'm on currently.

Kim

Lily, I don't plan on telling my boss either! I have been in no rush to launch my business, so I have been able to take the time with my business plan, website, and all those things we need to do prior to launching. I'm actually designing my own website using Microsoft Office Live (it is almost complete. I am actually quite proud of it!)

I wasn't aware of how many people are actually in the same position as me, and it is great being able to share ideas and experiences

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Denyse Giguere
Cimarron Business Solutions

Thank you so much for raising this discussion. I am too in the same situation and have found the replies really helpful.