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Old 08-06-2008
TLCSmith's Avatar
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Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Default Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Greetings Everyone!

Wow, I didn't know there were so many frustrated administrative professionals out there, just like me! I have been toying with the idea of starting my own VA business for over a year now and decided to finally stop the procrastination and get on with the business of starting the business. There's only so much research one can do. I guess I was just waiting for the "perfect" timing, which may never come, if I don't take the training wheels off and start pedalling!

I live in the sunny city of Virginia Beach and want to start enjoying the beach more (which I know won't happen any time soon) since I live 2 blocks from the ocean. I guess I'm tired of having to drive by it at 55 mph rushing on my way to an office to start the same mundane work of building someone else's dynasty. What about my own??

I'm excited to be here and am grateful for the opportunity to exchange all this good information. Wish me luck!!
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Old 08-06-2008
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Company name: Virtual Business Services
 
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Location: Oklahoma, USA
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Welcome to VAF! It's good to have you here. This is the place to be for aspiring VAs.
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Old 08-06-2008
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Welcome...

Don't forget the stale office air and fluorescent lighting! Now those are the 2 things I'm going to miss the most
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Old 08-06-2008
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Welcome to the forum. You can certainly research the business forever, but it all comes together once you get out there and do it. This forum is a great place to start, it is full of information and helpful members.

Good luck.
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Old 08-06-2008
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Company name: Administrative Partners, LLC
 
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Welcome Welcome Welcome...

You aren't so far from me -- I'm in Maryland. You'll learn alot here.. enjoy
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Old 08-06-2008
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Greeting everyone! I have never posted any messages before. I not very good at forums or blogging. But at the request of my Son and Mother; I need to venture out of the 3rd bedroom of my home we call my office. Can anyone assist me in the rules of texting ?
On a side bar note ...........................

What I hope to gain from all the Wisdom here is how to get my business to the next level and get paid without having to make the collection calls and sending demand letters . I have been a freelance paralegal since 2003, but it seems that when I am taking off something blows up . I really miss have co-workers to bounce problems around or share funny office humor with during the day .
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Old 08-06-2008
MissMissyLue
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hello, I am new too. Hope you find all that you search for here.

Missy
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Old 08-06-2008
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hello and welcome
Feel free to browse around the different topic sections of the site and jump in with your own questions and comments!
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Old 08-06-2008
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hello and much luck to you! And congratulations on breaking free of the 55mph rush through life. One of the best things I am noticing from being home is the ability to work on my own time. What a blessing.

Welcome and I am looking forward to exchanging information!

Rikki
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Old 08-06-2008
TLCSmith's Avatar
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Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Thank you everyone for such a warm welcome. I gotta take a break now. . . after reading all the posts my head is spinning and my "to-do" list has grown to 3 pages!!

Now, I gotta get busy getting that list shortened!!
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Old 08-06-2008
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Company name: ExtraOrdinary Assistance
 
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Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2
Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Welcome VA from VA from VA in Rainy Massachusetts!

Sorry that I can't help you with texting; I don't do any text messaging myself. I can help you with your deadbeats though.

The first thing you need to do is stop doing work for anyone who hasn't paid you for work you've previously done for them. I know this sounds harsh, but if you're serious about running a viable business, you need to show your clients that they can't take advantage of you in this way. Send the deadbeats a polite email message informing them that you won't be able to continue work on project xyz until you've received payment for project abc. If they call screaming, politely but firmly explain that you can't continue on the project until you've been paid for the last project. In the future, demand a down payment from clients who've stiffed you more than once.

Do you have written operating policies that you give to your clients? If so, do you ask your clients to sign a page indicating that they've read the document and agree to it, and do you have them return the signed page to you? If you don't have such a document, you need to create one ASAP. Such a document would include contact information, operating hours, what services you offer, what services you don't offer, turnaround time, upcharges, etc. The credit policies portion of your document should state when you expect to get paid, how you expect to be paid and what happens when you're not paid.

Look at it this way, you call a plumber because your basement is flooded (assuming you don't live in a flood zone). On the phone the plumber tells you it's $75 just to show up and assess the situation, and you agree and tell him to hurry. The plumber shows up and decides your hot water tank has blown its brains out and needs to be replaced. Before doing the work, he hands you a document with a cost estimate that he wants you to sign authorizing the work. You sign and off the plumber goes to get you a new hot water tank. When he's done his work, he asks for payment in the form of a credit card, cash or a check. If you had the audacity to refuse to pay him, he'd drag you into court because you signed a document authorizing him to do the work. Having an operating policies document that includes your payment expectations is no different than the plumber asking you to sign a work authorization.

From my personal point of view, a client that doesn't pay is worse than no clients at all.

=>Donna
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Old 08-13-2008
TLCSmith's Avatar
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Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hi Donna!

That was great! I will definitely have to take this into consideration as I'm trying to convert all those "freebies" I did when I wasn't in business into paid work!

Thanks!
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Old 08-13-2008
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 55
Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hi and

Only 55 mph? Try 80 - 90+!!! I swear that's how fast they rush by me on my I-10 drive into Baton Rouge every day. Do 70 mph and they run you over!! But I know how you feel. I'm ready to stop driving and start living too.

Anyway, I'm new here too (about 2-3 weeks), but you will find a wealth of information and lots of very friendly VAs to help and encourage you. I did!

Welcome and best wishes!
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Future VA in Louisiana
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Old 08-13-2008
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 56
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Default Re: Greetings from a New VA. . .in VA!
Hello and Welcome

We are glad that you are here. It is very tough when you are trying to start your business and you have clients who don't want to pay or slow pay. Donna says it best. Your client's are paying you for your experience and education not just doing any old thing.



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