Hi Everyone,
I am giving myself six months to plan and get my business up and running, though I think I might be able to open the doors sooner. Just wondering how much time it took others to plan and start up their VA business?
Thanks!

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April
ARC Virtual Office Services

Hello April,

Start up took about a month but writing the business plan took several weeks.

Once you get started, running the business never stops. I spend about 5-10 hours a week marketing the business (doing non-client work) which is never ending!

But much depends upon what else you have going on in your life too. Some people cannot devote full time to the start up and it takes a few months.

This is a great site for all VAs wherever he (now that Winston is back! Yea!) or she may be in the process of entrepreneurship.

Janine

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Thanks Janine! I have about 4-5 hours a day to devote to my start up right now. My planning is going well so I am thinking I may be able to start up in a couple months. I have unlimited IT support (from my husband!) so I'm grooving right along. Though I still need to do my business plan. Thanks again!

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April
ARC Virtual Office Services

April,

I started my business in November and it's still not 100%. I work on it a little bit everyday but I also have two kids and a part time credentialing job to tackle from home. I stay pretty busy trying to get this up and running but all the new VA's and support has definitely kept me motivated. That's awesome your husband is an IT Guru! LOL Luckyyyy!

Best of luck!

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Morgan Vas
Modern Assistance

Hi April,

I'm just starting my business. I also gave myself a goal of six months to "open the doors" of my business. I still work full-time at my "day" job, and I'm only able to devote 5-6 hours a week (usually the evenings and weekends) to getting my business up.

I'm glad to hear that it might take as long as I had planned, as it sounds like you are moving along. Of course, it helps that you have unlimited IT support...something I don't have.

While its great (and best) if you have the time and luxury to plan things out, write your business plan, etc. before officially opening your doors, don't let those things stop you from starting. Your site will never be 100% the way you want it, your business plan can always use some updates, etc. Get the basics taken care of then get out there and get started!

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Jennifer Luna

Hi April,

I officially started my business in January of this year.. Though Start-up/clients is taking a while.. But i hope to be able to welcome new clients in the next 2months..

I'm finding though, that my brain is going in all different directions as to what to offer, how to market myself etc.. So i think writing a business plan and what you want to achieve will really help!

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Virtual Assistant Solutions - Providing high quality business support

I am currently in the process of getting my business ready before I officially "open the doors". My goal is that it takes me no longer than two months to get all my ducks in a row.

My main priority is to get my paperwork ready to go and a website that looks presentable before I start marketing myself. It's just my personal preference and I know from past experience that I work better when I feel prepared. Some folk are better at jumping in at the deep end and figuring it out as they go along; me not so much. At some point I know I will need to just jump and so I will hold my breath and go for it

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Linda
Clockwise Virtual Assistance

Although I'm still working full-time, I am more than ready to get that first client, who is willing to work with me part-time--until probably May 2012 at the latest or December 2011 at the earliest (please Lord this date!).

But I'm still struggling with getting that first client. Because of the level of competition locally, I just don't think it's practical or reasonable to expect local clients. So my brain is falling down on it's answer quota.

Any suggestions from anyone?

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A L Camien
Manager Member

Originally Posted by jenniferluna

...don't let those things stop you from starting...Get the basics taken care of then get out there and get started!

I have the luxury of planning, writing, etc. before I officially open my doors because I'm still working my day job, but now I'm stuck on what to do next! I'm the mountain of a molehill, I think!

I will be working part-time for the next few months (until the end of the year), so I'm anxious to get that first client; but I'm being my own worst enemy by having the answers (fear) before I ask the questions or get the questions from anyone.

I have written a business plan. I have my website up. I've written a couple of press releases, but not released them. I am working on my agreements so they're ready for that first client, but getting her is the query.

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A L Camien
Manager Member