:nono:Greetings VA's!

My name is Jaye and I am in the process of starting my own VA company. I was doing some research when I stumbled upon this site. For the last week I have reading & taking notes. (GREAT info by the way)

At times my confidence level is thru the roof and at times it is ground level when reality sink it that this may be my main source of income and can I do this without a steady paycheck that an employer may offer me. I decided to risk it all...what do I have to lose?

Anyways I have a ton of questions listed and how that yall can guide me along the way in my startup process and warn of me of any pitfalls :nono:

So basically, NOTE TO VETERNS: I need yall to be my guardian angel and take me under you wing

Thanks!

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~~*Miss Jaye*~~

Miss Jaye,

It is a scary process when deciding to become a business owner. It is also exciting knowing that you control your own destiny! You are off to a great start with the confidence and enthusiasm that you have and we all became overwhelmed at one point or another.

What you need to guide you is right here and if you don't see just ask, everyone here has something to offer and are more than willing to share. You will be well "guarded".

As for advice, I would begin with a business plan, does not have to be enormous but it will give you a guideline to get your business rolling. As for the pitfalls, the only suggestions there is to think in terms of a business owner because many people (not just VA's) think with an employee mindset. You also need to start to think of your marketing plan since that is a great key to success.

There are some great books and resources here as well and the book reviews are top notch since they are written by colleagues who have been in your shoes and reviewed the books with their business in mind.

Please feel free to ask for any help that you need since there are others out there who may want or need the same information and there are those who can offer what you need.

Best of luck to you.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Dear Miss Jaye,

I am a newbie too. And I hear you! I think a lot of folks here have felt the same way that you have. I suggest you read each of the threads that pertain to a particular question. For example, I really use the elevator pitch thread in trying to describe to others just what it is that I do.

I agree with Lee, a business plan would help and the threads will help you answer questions about marketing.

Best of luck to you as well.

Joy

Miss Jaye!

I too, am a newbie, and completely empathize with your up and down emotions. When I finally landed my first retainer client (this week) I had a terrible moment of - "CAN I do this?".

This is a very supportive and experienced community, and I'm sure you'll find, like I have, that this is one of your best VA resources on the web.

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge

Hi Miss Jaye, you've come to the right place to get your questions answered and the support from newbies and veterans alike. Ask away and you'll get lots of responses and help. Best of luck in a scary venture. I've been doing this for a while but I still hang onto my day job for security but plan to make the plunge into total self-employment in the near future.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

HI Miss Jaye!

Welcome! You have come to the right spot for sure. There is an abundance of information here. This site actually was the reason I went ahead and took the plunge.

I have worked as a telecommuter for several years before venturing out on my own. It has been 6 months since I started actively searching for clients and I am happy to say that I now have three long term clients and two regular project work from people.

It can be done.....with the effort!! take you time to look through the amazing information here. It is always a confidence booster!

Best wishes,

Kristina

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Kristina ~Success Office Solutions
Our Solutions Equal Your Success!

HI Miss Jaye!

I just read, in the book "The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants", the advise of a veteran VA to NOT quit your "paycheck job" until you have your VA business well underway. Sounds like good advise. Personally, I am transitioning from being a SAHM, so I have the luxury of my husband providing an income and health insurance through his employer. But if I did not have those luxuries, I would seriously work my VA start-up as a "second job" for the first bit.

I think your periods of angst are simply reality checks, if you didn't have the occasional reality check, you would likely make a lot of mistakes in your rush and excitement to run towards your goal. Reality checks make you look closely at your plans and fine tune the details - that's not a bad thing.

Blessings,

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Susan Davis ~ EcoGreenREVA

Hi and

You really could not have found a better site for support and friendship as you build up your business!

If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know!

Avocet

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Secretarial Service with a Smile!

Welcome to the world of virtual assistance Jaye! I echo the sentiments of everyone: this forum ROCKS and is the best place for you to be.

Read, read, read as much as you can. Fill your time with learning and asking as many questions as you want. Eventually your doubt will leave as you realize you CAN build a successful VA business because there is room for all of us. The Clients ARE out there.

My one word of advice: don't go looking for clients. Lead the clients to you. Build a properly well structured website, (read the SEO section of this forum), participate in social networking, BLOG, establish yourself as an expert. If you do these things the clients WILL find you. I promise.

Read the HubSpot blog.

Virtual Assistance is not a get rich quick scheme and there is seldom overnight success. It is a business and as such it takes dedication, hard work, perseverance and a lot of time and patience.

Never give up if this is what you truly want. You will find a way to make it work just like thousands of others have already done. You CAN live your dream. I live my dream everday!

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

Hi Jaye,

I'm a newbie here as well and I must say that you've come to the right place. I've found it to be very informative, my first week in my start-up was like you. Since joining which wasn't long ago. I now have a "I can do this attitude" Thanks to all the advice you get from here.

Good luck!