The best advice I have read from this forum is to "never quit" your current job just yet...wait until you have established enough clients and you are financially able to do so. It is going to be hard working as a VA part-time but if you are determined to become a VA and want to own your own business...you can definetely do it!!!! And I agree with Lily that it takes lots of time, patience and determination...it's a struggle at the beginning but you will eventually get to where you want to be. It will all be worth it at the end!!!

I also think you need to be honest with your clients and let them know your situation. I don't think they really care what hours you work just as long as you get the job done!!!

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Angelica, Let Me Get A GRIP On Your Books!
www.mygripbookkeepingservices.com

Originally Posted by AngelicaP33

I also think you need to be honest with your clients and let them know your situation. I don't think they really care what hours you work just as long as you get the job done!!!

I agree up to this point. Many potential clients will assume that because you are working, in essence, two jobs, that you won't be able to do as good a job for them as if you were only working one. Obviously, this isn't true if you are a well-skilled, conscientious VA. But often perception overrides reality. I recently read a bumper sticker that said "Don't believe what you think" and I suspect many people fall into this trap...

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

Thank you so much for the valuable information. I agree with clients not needing to know when the work is being performed.

How do you work the VA business hours when it comes to ramping up the business and meeting with prospects? Do you do these meetings/consults in the evenings?

Originally Posted by D'Stinction

Thank you so much for the valuable information. I agree with clients not needing to know when the work is being performed. How do you work the VA business hours when it comes to ramping up the business and meeting with prospects? Do you do these meetings/consults in the evenings?

Remember, WE'RE VIRTUAL! I schedule tele-conferences first thing in the morning, at lunch time, or after hours, which are the same times I use to handle other VA-related items. I explain to my potential clients that I prefer to not break the 'flow' of my work once I get started but, of course, HAVE to eat lunch so, since that is a natural stopping point, it is a good time to "meet" with someone.

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

I totally agree with this. I was wondering whether to tell potential clients I'd only be working evenings and weekends initially but since reading the tons of valuable information here, I've decided that when I work on this business is my business. I love the idea of not "breaking the flow of work".

Hi. I was working full time as a medical transcriptionist at home and doing VA part time on the side. Now I am VA part time because I am a homeschool mommy of 4 and needed more time for my family. As they get older and more independent I will be increasing my hours.

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Amanda M. Dufries
www.virtuallysupportivesolutions.com

I have been working as a VA part time for 5 years (just 1 client) and am just starting to expand. My full time employer knows nothing about this and I plan to keep it that way until I tell them I'm leaving LOL

I agree with Goddess that when I work is up to me - as long as what needs to get done gets done, right and on time, that's all that matters.

Jen

Hi Jennifer, I am like you working part time for the last 5 years for 1 client (although I recently decided to stop working with her for various reasons). I've told my employer though because they are good sources of referrals for me. As a matter of fact, the 1 client I had was a referral from my boss.

I also agree with Goddess about when I work.

I have a full time job (as a legal secretary) and run my business in the weekends and evenings. The difficulty is getting the balance right (and no I haven't found the answer to that yet) LOL!! I tend to use the hours that I work as a Unique Selling Point i.e. if any job is needed urgently I can usually type it up (or whatever the task is) ready for the following morning. Occasionally this means forgoing a little bit of sleep!! Unless you have the financial security to go full time straight away or have a good client base that will use you for their work already in place, I think you are being wise to start up the way you are considering.

My plan would be eventually to build up a solid client base and go part time in my "day" job and part time for my VA work.

I hope this helps!

Avocet

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Secretarial Service with a Smile!

That's an excellent idea to work on a contract job while you build your clientele that will enable you to work your own business full time.

I'm struggling with the same thing - I desire to become full time so bad!

Kianna

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Riley Office Solutions
www.rileyofficesolutions.com

Oh, I love seeing this conversation....I am very new here and the whole VA arena. Love learning from you all and part-time is definitely what I am interested in to begin with.

This is a rich conversation! Different strokes for different folks...

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JoAnn, Virtually...Your Office!
http://virtuallyyouroffice.biz

I am having to try this part-time for right now, while I am building up my business. I am working for 2 businesses right now, one I have to commute 2 days a week for a 9:30 to 2 and the other I work from home. I am putting in about 20 hours a week into both. Hopefully, this will be full time, but for these 2 businesses, I really can't put anymore hours. I have 2 young children and the hours are flexible enough for me to work while they are in school.

Originally Posted by hbplifestyle

For the past three years I am a PT VA working 7:30 to 4:00. Someday I hope to become FT. This is why I subcontract learn from others and gain the experience before going on my own. It is a great way to start.

Sorry I know this is an old thread, and if anybody else knows the answer please...

How did you find someone to 'subcontract' with?

Originally Posted by MarindasBookkeepingServices

How did you find someone to 'subcontract' with?

There is an entire section with LOTS of threads devoted to subcontracting! Click here and jump right in!

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