Upon getting a pink slip for the third year in a row as a teacher, I decided that I could no longer deal with the stress of letting someone else determine when I can and cannot work. I reflected on my Executive Assistant experiences and decided to start a Virtual Assistant business.

I took control of my future by moving to San Diego to be closer to my daughter and granddaughter in August. As of October I have begun my new adventure "Expert Virtual Office Services, Inc." I currently have two small companies that I answer phones and make appointments for and a client that I use QuickBooks to organize her bookkeeping.

I am super excited that I started my VA business AND found this fantastic website.

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

Congrats on getting launched and clients! You will find 'everything but the kitchen sink' here on VAF (and there MAY be one of those somewhere on the forum, too ).

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

Thanks Office Goddess. Been reading the posts and noticed that you are quite knowledgeable and helpful. Its a pleasure to meet you

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

It is a pleasure to meet you, as well. I've been 'hanging around' the forums since I started Goddess 4 years ago. The advice and help I got when I was starting out inspired me to 'pay forward' by staying involved and helping out others.

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

Welcome Loraine, it's wonderful to have you here.
Major congratulations are in order - it sounds like you really had had enough of not being the master of your own destiny and actually did something about it! Good for you! That attitude and energy will serve you (and your clients) well.

Congrats also on a strong start to your career as a business owner
Looking forward to seeing you around the forums!

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Hello, Laraine, and it's fantastic to see you here! I first of all would love to congratulate you on such a wonderful company name .

It seems we have a lot in common besides just our name. I studied elementary education and I lived in San Diego (back in the early '80s). In regard to those awful pink slips, in life, as you probably know, when one door closes, another opens up even wider for us. It's fabulous that you have discovered your potential as a VA and even better that you are close to your daughter and granddaughter. Good for you!

I wish you all the success in the world!

(PS, I also saw your post on the interview thread -- and thank you so much for your comment.)

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Patty

Tess,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am enjoying this forum because I'm learning so much and its enlightening AND inspirational.

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

Patty,
Thanks for your encouragement! I hope I continue to follow in your footsteps and achieve yr level of success

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

Hi Laraine! I can relate to your story about losing your job & letting someone else have control over your work life. After losing my job in 2008 I decided I would not work for anyone else but myself, went back to school, got my Master's in Public Administration, and started my VA business last summer. (The degree was a personal goal - not related to my business). I wish you the best of luck and love your "can do" attitude!

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Margaret
Helping You Build Your Empire

Hi Laraine, I can also relate to your story because I was let go from my job over a month ago and even before I was let go I started doing some research into virtual assistance because I knew things were not going well with my employer.

Good luck to you!

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Paulette R.
Rhythm Virtual Solutions | Alpha & Beta Translations