Hello all,
I am just getting ready to launch my VA business. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I just have a question -- I will be operating as a sole proprietor and offering services such as word processing, data entry, mail merging etc.
However my husband who has a diploma in graphic design(he doesn't do this as a career but has done a few jobs for people here and there) has agreed to help me out if I have clients looking for this type of work.
How would you go about "advertising" this service? Because it's not something I would personally be doing if a client needs this service. How would I offer the service but indicate it won't be done by myself. I guess it would more or less be like a sub-contract?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you and have a great day!

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Malaika Nallawangsa
Quick Works | Virtual Office Assistant

Hi Malaika,

Congratulations on getting ready to launch your VA business, how exciting.

If your husband has agreed to help you with graphic design, then I say go ahead and list it as a service you offer. In my opinion, clients don't need to know (or may not even care) how or who does the work as long as it is done accurately and timely. However, you may consider adding a clause to your service agreement that informs your clients that subcontractors may be used to work on their projects that way in the event they somehow learn that you yourself did not do the work there will be no issue. Also it gives the client a heads up if any of their projects are of a sensitive nature and confidentiality is an issue. It's called CYA!

Just my two cents.

Best of luck, and, again, congratulations. Keep us posted!

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services

I was thinking along the same lines but I was thinking "ethically" if it would be right for me to offer a service that I wouldn't be doing myself. But I guess like you said if I put a clause in my agreement it covers the fact that work will be subcontracted if need be. Thank you so much for the advise!

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Malaika Nallawangsa
Quick Works | Virtual Office Assistant

Honestly, when I was married I really viewed my hubby as an extension of myself and I wouldn't even bother mentioning that part. Perhaps just have higher fees for that particular service?

I agree with Anita, that it's probably a good idea to have it in your contact that you use subcontractors for that particular task. I don't think you necessarily have to mention on your website and other advertising who will be doing what service. I don't feel it would be hiding anything not saying that. But I also don't see a problem putting on your site that you subcontract out the design work to a graphic designer (or something like that) if it would make you feel better.

Now when it comes down to talking with a PC about the design work, you would probably need to tell them then unless you would be the one talking with them about the project details, etc. My husband has been trying to get me to list accounting on my site for him to do, so I've been looking at the same questions. I would not feel knowledgeable enough to discuss and meet with clients on accounting stuff, as I know so little in that area, so he would have to be the one working directly with the client in this area.

I'm a sole proprietor, too.

And congratulations!!

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services

Thank you for all of the advise..really appreciate it.

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Malaika Nallawangsa
Quick Works | Virtual Office Assistant

Malaika, I have the same situation, but it would be my son doing the web designing portion of services. This post has answered my question. But, would it be better to be a SP or LLC in this instance?

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http://www.anofcextension.com
Office support, Database Creation and Management, Internet Research

My husband and I work together as a team, I don't consider him a subcontractor. But the buck for business services stops with me -- so I review anything that he would work with in this area.