Hello Everyone,

I'm in the research phase of starting a VA business. I've always been the go-to person for help typing up a letter, research, faxing, scanning - you name it. I honestly had never even thought about turning my "hobby" of assisting others into a real business until a few months ago.

Being a full-time student makes it sort of complicated to work a normal job, when you have all these class schedules that switch up each semester, so I thought "why not just start my own business & work from the comforts of my own home?".. I joined this site last month & did some research, but didn't do anything further. Now, I'm actually going to really get on the ball and try to learn as much as I can so that I can start having my own income coming in.

As of now I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed with all the tons of info provided on this board, but I'll get it under control...hopefully

**Almost forgot to mention that I've obtained an Associates of Science in Office Administration, so I may as well put it to use, right? **

The great thing about a virtual business is the flexibility and the portability. Just be sure that you have a plan, however basic to use as a guideline.

Best of luck to you as you start your business and finish school.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

HM

I came to this site about a week ago now for the same idea you have. I too am very over whelmed. In fact I was so over whelmed I had to walk away for a few hours .. because I was simply on this site all day long I think I was getting my self sick .. lol
I want so badly as well to get started but its not easy ( at least not in my eyes ) & I do want to go back to school, though I would be doing it on line for a B.S. In Health Management. So I thought this can help out with the time I have and maybe the experience as well.
I did start a FB page for my business ... ( see how that goes ) and I also have a Blog ( for another "hobby" that I have started .. But it at least gives me an idea on how blogs work )

I wish you all the best, though you will meet some great people here and they will make sure you understand everything....

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Kirsten C
kirsties-life Twitter

Hi HM!!

Well, I just started my business about a month and a half ago. I'm a full time student as well (getting my masters in Biotech Enterprise) and I also work full-time as a scientific research assistant at a medical center, I completely understand how you say school makes things more complicated. In fact, since I plan on applying to med school soon, I figured I would start my business and have some extra income coming in while I go through school. I will definitely say that it is possible and it is nice to have some flexibility. It can be very overwhelming but it gets better. Just take it one step at at time. Everyone here is very supportive and is very willing to help you every step of the way so ask as many questions as you can! I seriously think there isn't any question that someone can't answer here! Good luck and if you need anything let me know! I'd be more than happy to let you know my brief start up experiences as a student!

Shandon

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Shandon Collins, Senior Research Consultant & Owner
The Research Ace || http://www.theresearchace.com

HI Shandon -- WOW you are a busy women ! My Gosh. With all that how do you find time to run / start a business... I give you so much credit for that. I want to start a business as soon as possible because I work for a hospital and I have a few reasons why I do not want to work any longer, but my business.
#1 ) I hate working Holidays and weekends, I want to be with my children then.
#2) I hate getting up at 5am to be at work at 7am which brings me to my 3rd, I have to leave my kids and worry that they get on the bus in time, and my son gets to school on his own ( walking )
#4 I work part time right now so it gives me more of an advantage to get my business going, BUT I if I want to make my bills and save money, then I need to get this up and going ASAP even if its something simple that I offer at this time.

My question to you : Once you finish Medical school, what are you going to do ?

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Kirsten C
kirsties-life Twitter

Thanks for the comments & support! Kirstylynn, I know exactly what you mean. I was on this site and other VA sites for over 3hrs last night, and by the time I made myself go to bed, I was looking like this ---> ... Lots of fun to search around for new information though, so I'll be okay

Shandon... Kirstylynn took the words right out off my fingertips.. WOW. You are truly motivated. I think I may be researching the VA business a bit too early, because as of now I'm working on school papers, presentations, job & apartment hunting (ugh), as well as getting ready to transfer to a new school. I have the tendency to put too much on myself at times

Originally Posted by leedrozak

The great thing about a virtual business is the flexibility and the portability. Just be sure that you have a plan, however basic to use as a guideline. Best of luck to you as you start your business and finish school.

I've seen others mentioning a plan, and I can already tell that starting the plan before I actually do anything else will be very helpful for myself. Hopefully I'll be able to juggle going to school and running a business. Thank You for the encouragement!

Hi and welcome. I think that having a plan is important mainly to keep you from wasting any unnecessary time. I have been in business in theory for a while; however, I haven't been very active with the business and I have recently re-branded the business that I haven't been all that active with, with the intentions of becoming more active. That run-on sentence was just basically to help reiterate the purpose of having a plan.
Another good point is thinking about what you want to specialize in or maybe a particular group of people you may be interested in working with.

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Nikki Johnson
The Millionaire's Assistant™

You will find VAF to be a great source of info and everyone is helpful to the newbies in the business. Like a pp said it is important to have a plan and it does not need to be a formal business plan, but at least have an outline so you have a timeline.

Good Luck and just ask if you have any questions.

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CAC

Sorry for the delayed response, but Thank You!