For the last 2 years I have been trying desperately to figure out a way to leave the frustrations of the 40 to 70 hour work week behind me. I don't have a degree so it hinders where I go and what I get paid. It still amazes me that with 25 years experience, glowing references and bosses who adore me and have nothing but great things to say about my skills, that a little piece of paper or lack there of can still hold me back. I knew I wanted to be my own boss, work from home and do the parts of my “career” that I love. I just want to leave the politics and bull of the office behind me. I'm tired of doing all the work and others getting the credit for it. I'm tired of helping my bosses move up the ladder only to be left behind to train my next boss. I could not think of a way to use my abilities to make a living on my own. I saw myself as stuck in the work-a-day world till I die, because at this rate retirement is not an option. Then two weeks ago, my best friend and I met for our normal "I hate my life, how have you been" coffee, and she says, so I’m thinking of starting my own business, (ya me too, but I have no idea what to do). She continues with, I think if we teamed up, we could, between the two of us, figure out how to do it, how would you feel about being a Virtual Assistant? A what? Says I. So she proceeds to explain what one is, and again I am thankful for a best friend like her. For the first time in years I’m actually excited and making plans. Now after a crappy day, I come home, do more research and come the morning I can face my 6am to 6pm day without having a good cry on the way to my own personal hell. I know part of my issue is my attitude, but I'm done, I just don't want to play the games anymore. You know it’s really time to make a change when Friday becomes depressing because it just means Monday is only two days a way. I can't wait to wade through more of what appears to be great info here. Thanks to all who have come before me for your hard work and your willingness to train your competition. Not only do I hope to learn a lot, but I really hope to contribute also.

Welcome to forums. Sit back and settle in because there is a ton of really great information here as well a great community, lots of support and a wealth of knowledge about every thing you'd need to know to getting your business up and running.

I know exactly what you mean about needing to leave it all behind as well as the rush of excitement you feel at the prospect of being your own boss and making it work. Good for you for doing what's right for you!

Feel free to post any questions you have and to provide any feedback too!

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Hi there and welcome to the community, it's great to have you here and I'm looking forward to chatting with you further

Sounds like you're really ready to make this happen! It'll be fun to celebrate the opening of your virtual doors with you - do you have a goal for the official launch?

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Wow! I was just reading what you wrote and I feel so much like you. I have over 20 years experience and work for a school system, sick of the politics and just am in a slump. I have been at my job for 14 years. In two years I will be retiring (hopefully) and always have wanted to work from home. I need to do alot of research on how to go about this and frankly at 54 years old I am kind of scared. Whats funny after reading what you wrote, I am meeting another secretary today for lunch who feels like I do. I am so so tired of all the ways people get ahead in our system. I cannot believe there are people who get ahead and they were those who could not even turn on their computer!

Welcome to VAF, it is a great place to start researching the VA business because everyone is so helpful.

Set a date now to when you want to let go of the 6am-6pm and work to that moment it will make the hard work worth it.

Good luck.

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Vicky
www.c-vas.eu

I'm right there with you...i started my biz about a year ago and its been very good for me. You CAN do this...you have the experience and you have the motivatioin. You're gonna have a blast figuring it all out too! Keep us posted!

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Cheryl Richey
Carte Blanche Assistance, LLC
Virtual Assistance...Creating Time for You!

Thank you for the welcome.

As I see it, I now have two jobs, I have been putting in at least 10 hours a day on this, more on the weekends. (I'll sleep when I'm dead)

The plan is to have the website up and running and our "networking" letter done and out by October 1st. I know so many small business owners that I'm not at all worried bout getting clients. I was a buyer for a major corporation a few years back and have a great many really good business contacts so at least I have a built in base. I don't expect all of them to ring me up of course but out of 300 contacts there has to be a few that need me. I also know the ins and outs of purchasing short term help for things, and how to sell it.

I'm really not that concerned, this is right and it's going to happen. Long term I hope to be able to leave my job with in the year. I have figured out how many hours at x number of dollars I need to be able to pay my taxes and make enough to quit, and I only need 100 billable hours a month, and that I see as very doable.

Honestly, I don't see anything in my way right now, which is good, I'm sure if I were "worried" about the "how's" it would be a LOT different. I just have to get it rolling before reality and doubt set in, so it's too late to turn back and I just sort of get sucked a long.

This is the perfect job for me, and it will be mine, o yes one day it will be mine.

Originally Posted by Reyasyan

This is the perfect job for me, and it will be mine, o yes one day it will be mine.

Yes. It will be yours!

Welcome to the forums. You'll love it here

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

You will be amazed how many people need and want your services as a VA - and respect you, to boot! If you've been successful as an administrator and have enough discipline to be self-employed, you'll be humming in no time. Expect to quit your J.O.B. well within the year!

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Welcome! I've been coming here for several days. Still trying to soak it all in.

I had similar experiences to yours when I worked "outside the home" in the late 70's and early 80's. A rat race. Thankless work. Others putting their name to my work. I stopped in 1986 to raise my children full time.

I always believed my lack of college education held me back professionally. It's not all it is cracked up to be. When my kids went to elementary school, I started taking college classes. At first, it was just one a semester. Then I started adding a couple extras and doing summer classes.

Well, I got my bachelors about two years ago (it took me 10 years!). I have applied for countless jobs. I have yet to even be given an interview! I know I am smart, articulate and hard-working. But not one interview?

I'm sort of baffled. But the problem is my lack of networking (raising the kids for 18 years). Also, all of the employers I worked for before I started my family WENT OUT OF BUSINESS! Sometimes, I can't believe it. I certainly don't think it had anything to do with me. Still, I have no professional references because of this.

So, I think you're in a better position to pull off your VA business than I am because you do have plenty of connections. A degree doesn't' do that for anyone -- as far as I can tell.

Good luck!