Hey ya'll!

I'm Robin Ann. I'm a VA in West Virginia. I've actually had my business running since 2005, but have only just recently been pushing it full-time.

I've earned the Certified Professional Secretary(R) and Certified Administrative Professional(R) ratings. I have an Associates in Applied Science in Office Administration and am enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. I've got 20 years [give or take] in administrative support.

I do a little freelance writing to offset fuel prices. I have two sons, one is 22 and the other 19. I'm married.

I stumbled across the site when I did a Google search for sample VA contracts. I look forward to a lot of constructive conversation!

Hi Robin Ann!

It's so great having you with us! Welcome aboard. Congrats with your VA business. We are rooting for your success to make it a full time adventure!

It sounds like you have a fabulous list of skills. Good for you!

Was there any important lesson you learned from this business that you would like to share with us?

Once again, welcome aboard!

__________________
Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Originally Posted by White Rose

Was there any important lesson you learned from this business that you would like to share with us?

I'd say the single most important, and difficult, thing I'm working on is promoting myself.

I was in Virginia over the weekend and had a brief conversation with an associate at the conference regarding promoting ourselves. As I told her, I can write up a promotional message on her that would win her the Presidency, but when it comes to promoting myself I stumble. We both agreed that it is a remnant of our upbringing that women shouldn't 'brag' on themselves.

Before I registered on the forum, I was reading a thread [then promptly lost the thread] about a member who was struggling with pricing for a service now that it was much easier for her to complete. She had become experienced in the steps of the task and was feeling a little guilty about charging her previous rate when it didn't take as long. I wanted to shout through the PC:

"That's the way doctors do every patient they see!!!!!"

Women traditionally fail to assertively demand pay increases, or demand lower percentages, compared to men. We tend to feel guilty insisting on appropriate rates/fees for our services. We want to 'help-out' or 'do a favor' in hopes that we will get the same in return sometime in the future. [I do it as well and struggle with breaking the habit.]

We should be billing based upon what we know, not how much we produce.

Hello and welcome
Great to see someone jump in here with such strong opinions and ideas - surely that translates well to your business life. (And it sounds like you've been in business for a while...congrats on that!)

I'm looking forward to learning more about you, your business, and your philosophies.

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Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
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Welcome to the forum!!! I look forward to reading your posts! Your wealth of knowledge is appreciated by all of us newbies!

Welcome again!

Originally Posted by Robin_Ann

I'd say the single most important, and difficult, thing I'm working on is promoting myself... Before I registered on the forum, I was reading a thread [then promptly lost the thread] about a member who was struggling with pricing for a service now that it was much easier for her to complete. She had become experienced in the steps of the task and was feeling a little guilty about charging her previous rate when it didn't take as long. I wanted to shout through the PC: "That's the way doctors do every patient they see!!!!!" Women traditionally fail to assertively demand pay increases, or demand lower percentages, compared to men. We tend to feel guilty insisting on appropriate rates/fees for our services. We want to 'help-out' or 'do a favor' in hopes that we will get the same in return sometime in the future. [I do it as well and struggle with breaking the habit.] We should be billing based upon what we know, not how much we produce.

Hi Robin Ann,

I found your comments very interesting.

Only thing is, as a male, I am having the same problems with regards to promoting myself & pricing. Maybe my reasons for this are because I'm new to the VA field and I'm just getting to learn the ropes.

I have found that there seems to be a perception that all VA's are female. I guess because most PA's & secretaries are women. Although, I'd say that if you go into any admin office these days you'll find an equal balance of male & female admin staff.

I think it's great for women to get out there and do something for themselves. However, I think that perceptions from both sides (male and female) do need to change. After all, the 21st Century is an age of equal opportunites and diversity.

Kindest Regards,

Jason Linsey
Forward Vision Group.

I have to be careful or my strong opinions will get me booted.

There are a lot of stereotypes across the world that need to be busted. A group of entrepreneurs recently held a blogging campaign trying to reverse some of the negative views of WVians. It was a great idea, but was preaching to the choir. Its similar with promoting ourselves, I think.

I have been in business a while, but have primarily focused on some desktop publishing and training for non-profits I am involved with. I had a captive audience, so-to-say. Now I'm broadening out and experiencing many of the same roadblocks and potholes everyone else it.

Jason --> I am seeing an increase in the number of male 'assistants' in my general community. They seem to be looked upon a little differently than the traditional female assistant. I get the feeling that they are considered more of an apprentise, than assistant. That's not a bad thing, just a thing.

Hi, Robin Ann

I was pretty excited to see someone else from West Virginia here. I've done lots of searches to try to figure out how many WV VAs were out there and I think I only found 2 websites.

Anyhow, Welcome. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here as most of us do.

__________________
Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Thanks Stephanie! I've never found more than a couple either. Worst of all, when I try to explain what I do ... oh! the looks I get.

I'm not far from Charleston, and you'd think with all the 'business' types and entrepreneurs they would have a clue. But, wrong! The entire concept is so unfamiliar that you can't use an 'elevator pitch' with much success. I did have breakfast with a man from Merrill Lynch last week who is friends with someone using a VA from Virginia.

You list your location as Davis. I love that area, as do many people. Are you a native or transplant? Do you find enough work as a VA to keep the lights on, or do you suppliment?

Welcome Robin Ann! You've got some great experience I'm hoping to learn lots from you on the board! I wish you success with your new venture!

__________________
Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

Originally Posted by Robin_Ann

You list your location as Davis. I love that area, as do many people. Are you a native or transplant? Do you find enough work as a VA to keep the lights on, or do you suppliment?

Yes, Davis is a very beautiful area. I've been here for 2 years (I moved up from Atlanta). It's very small, though, and I think I'm tiring of it. There aren't a whole lot of opportunities here and my brain needs a bit more stimuli...lol I work full time at the artisan gallery in Thomas, WV if you've ever been there and do have one client at the moment even though I haven't officially started my business yet. Actually, she's the reason why I stumbled upon this industry when I was trying to figure out a fair price to charge for my services. She's still way below industry norms, but she pays me $1 more an hour than I make at my full-time job (isn't that sad...lol). I was feeling stuck and realized that this could be my ticket out of here. Plus, I've always wanted a job working from home (I used to work at home 2 days a week when I was in the corporate world and LOVED it!!!), so it's perfect.

As far as finding additional VA work around here, I think I'm in the same boat as you in a way. I find that transplants from the DC area are MUCH more open to the idea and know more about VAs to begin with. Even though I've been asked to help people out with stuff, they either expect freebies or want to pay next to nothing for the work. So, I plan on trying to be truly virtual and not do much marketing around here at all except maybe for the Tourists that I meet.

I've never been to Charleston, but hear it's a very nice place. I have a good friend that works at the Charleston Gazette.

Anyhow, it's nice to meet you and I look forward to seeing you around the Forums.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Welcome, I am new too, just wanting to wish you all the best in your future VA adventures!!!

I just wanted to take a minute to say hello to all the new members. Since I joined this forum there are SEVEN pages of new members!

Because I just can't respond to every new member post, I wanted to say



This is a great forum with a ton of essential information. Take your time and read, read, read! Chances are someone has had the same question as you and there is a thread to address it.

This is a holiday weekend in the U.S.A. -- Labor Day. I hope everyone has the opportunity to relax and enjoy it.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog