Originally Posted by misskimble

Thanks Katie. I'm even more motivated now to make my business a success!

Good to hear! It is a great industry and there are some fantastic people in it! Enjoy the journey!

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Kathie, I have kind of a random question for you regarding how you handle billing for your U.S. or Canada-based clients. I'm wondering how you manage the exchange rate - or how that works. I've always billed in U.S. dollars but wasn't sure how that would pan out for someone who is operating on another currency to begin with.
Thanks for explaining this silly detail for me I just got to wondering about this today....

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Originally Posted by Tess

Kathie, I have kind of a random question for you regarding how you handle billing for your U.S. or Canada-based clients. I'm wondering how you manage the exchange rate - or how that works. I've always billed in U.S. dollars but wasn't sure how that would pan out for someone who is operating on another currency to begin with. Thanks for explaining this silly detail for me I just got to wondering about this today....

Thanks for asking - great question!

I always bill in my own currency, AUD. I accept payments by credit card or Paypal - both will do the currency conversions so I never have to worry about doing it. And when the client receives the receipted payment their end, the credit card statement or Paypal history shows the exchange.

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Well, that makes sense! Thanks Kathie.

I've been considering accepting credit cards...I mean, I already do via Paypal of course, but I mean directly. Is it direct CC transactions you process or is it via a payment gateway like Paypal?

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Originally Posted by Tess

Well, that makes sense! Thanks Kathie. I've been considering accepting credit cards...I mean, I already do via Paypal of course, but I mean directly. Is it direct CC transactions you process or is it via a payment gateway like Paypal?

Both. I have an EFTPOS machine in my office so some people might fax me their payment or fill out a secure server form so I can log in and then process it on my machine. Others prefer to use Paypal as their credit card is already listed there and they don't have to give me the number.

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

this is so helpful.Thank you so much kathie for sharing this with us.

13+ yrs...wow! I had no idea that this industry was around for so long! And here I thought we were all pioneers.

Very interesting to read! Thank you Kathie.

Amy

Great Interview, Kathie! You definitely are an inspiration!

Originally Posted by Assisting Syner

13+ yrs...wow! I had no idea that this industry was around for so long! And here I thought we were all pioneers. Very interesting to read! Thank you Kathie. Amy

Thanks Amy. The industry itself has been around since the mid 1990s. If you go to http://www.vadirectory.net/about.htm#history you'll read about the history of the industry from Australia. There were pockets around the world where others were having things happen at the same time, particularly in the US. My network was started in April 1996, but I've been in business since March 1994.

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Thank you Kathie! You were one of the first VA's I contacted about the industry and I've "Met" several other wonderful VA's who are very supportive! I'm very happy I've decided to move forward in this industry!
Laurie

Thank you Kathie for your advice for a new VA and your many years of experience.

You are most welcome - it's good to see so many people joining the industry today.

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Great interview!!! Its great to here about you and your success! It gives me hope that I can be a success too.

Erika

Originally Posted by Erykah_d

Great interview!!! Its great to here about you and your success! It gives me hope that I can be a success too. Erika

You can Erika and with all the constant changes in technology and new things on the horizon I expect many of you who are new today will be able to far surpass what any of those of us have done in the past.

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Great interview Kathie - inspirational and informative