Vanessa,

Great interview!

I especially liked your comments about how you spend your day. You seem to have a great rapport with your team members. Did it take a while to feel comfortable using the services of others?

When I started my first business and realized I needed to sub-contract work I was petrified. My poor friend suffered many agonies as I went through the "but they aren't me!", "but, how can I trust them!", "but", "but", "but"....I took the plunge and it was great. Some of them already know I'm going back in business and are ready to join my team.

Carol
CJ's Virtual Business Solutions

Hi Vanessa, I love your interview, great job. Last night, "Good Friday" 4/10 I made the decision to register my business name and pick a web host. When I read your interview it is very encouraging. You see my husband is a realtor and partners with his mom and I have a thing for anything that has to do with realestate. The market is starting to pick up and I think I've made my decision at the right time just before it really picks up again. I was thinking about also offering web design which at this point in time I am a newbie and I want to help small businesses with data entry or data base management. So, I guess what I want to say is I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. And I'm not sure that when I create my website should it be more geared for REVA or just Va. This is why I chose Unlimited in my business name. I hope we can bounce ideas off each other. Enjoy your day.

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Have a Blessed Day
~Trish Reisen~

Great interview and some great tips. I'm just starting out and have decided to focus on real estate agents. I currently have my license and have been working as an agent, but am ready to move on. It's great to see there are others being successful. Thank you for the motivation.

I am so glad I found VAF. I am new to starting my VA business and was not quite sure about what direction to go - I am a Licensed Real Estate Agent and am now looking into becoming Real Estate Professional Assistant with the National Assoc. of Realtors in NJ. This will give me a starting point of reference. Am so glad I read your interview....Tina

Good Afternoon All,

First I would like to thank all the wonderful people on this forum. You are awesome!

Carol:

Yes, I did experience the same hesitations as you did. I've been fortunate enough to hire family but I still had many "buts...". I was scared to trust, delegate and let go. However, after a while I was able to delegate properly and my stress began to lessen. Building a team takes time, patience and practice - but it is worth it 100% and I couldn't be more proud of my team then I am now.

Trish:

Congratulations! Stay focused work hard and you will see the rewards. I would certainly recommend finding your niche within your passion. If you have a passion for the real estate industry, then go with it. There are MANY agents out there that desperately need our assistance. Some don't even know it yet! It is our job to show them the hows and whys.
I don't think you would be putting your eggs in one basket. You can focus on the real estate industry and offer a variety of services to this profession. Best of luck to you and I am always willing to bounce ideas back and forth. You can contact me at any time.

Crystal:

Thanks for your comments. Being a licensed assistant is a great way to market yourself. Having my license is my next goal and I will enrolling in phase 1 at the end of the month. I am super excited.

Tina:

I took the course offered by NAR, it was great and definitely worth looking into. Best of luck to you!

Thanks again everyone for all your comments.

I appreciate you,

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Ness, REPA
www.NessLindsay.com

Wow... What a fantastic interview! As someone who is just in the beginning stages of this venture, it's great to read about what your experience has been and what you've learned. Your enthusiasm comes through loud and clear, and is inspiring to this newbie!

Thanks!

--Samantha

This interview has definitely blessed me! This is the first one I have read and I am blown away...there is so much depth in the simple things that you have said Vanessa.

I am beginning my VA business and have not found a niche yet. I am holding on to your original notion of working for anyone and everyone that will hire me.

You have lifted my spirit!
Thank you for sharing!

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Suz

Your story is very inspiring. Confirms that success does not happen by accident. Thank you for sharing your story.

I'm back to look at my business plan.

Gennia

Thank you so much for the great interview. As I'm just starting out, I have so many questions and thoughts about how to run my company! Vanessa, you touched on a lot of things that I'm working out right now!
Again, thanks!

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Becky
Remote Office Assistance

Samantha: Thank you so much for your comments. I wish you much success on your adventure.

Suz: Thank you for your thoughts. I am glad you've learned something from my interview. I believe in you!

Gennia - Success doesn't happen by accident. One must work hard to achieve their own personal success.

Becky - I am so glad I was able to share my knowledge and give you valuable insight. Best wishes always.

I appreciate you,

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Ness, REPA
www.NessLindsay.com

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. It's this kind of interaction that I find so informative and inspiring. As a new VA, I would really like to make Real Estate and Financial Planners my target market. I worked in a real estate office for about a year as the bookkeeper but always had the desire to do more. I am now working part-time as a Sales Assistant for a Financial Planner and I see the need for VA's in this market. Your interview gave me the confidence to know that a successful VA business can certainly be realized as long as I stay focused and work hard.

Barbara Cooper
Preferred Virtual Services

I really enjoyed this interview. Vanessa, thanks for sharing so much, I really learned a lot! As others have mentioned, I admire your daily routine. I think it's really easy to get distracted but it sounds like when you have a schedule and stick to it, great things can happen!

-Holly

Great Interview. This motivates me that I can also grow and be sucessful. I do work full time - and part time on my VA business. My goal is to work full time VA and be able to do the things I want without asking anyone.

Great advise!

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Virtual Express Inc.
Ramonita Comas

I loved reading about your interest in real estate as I am a former real estate agent and I also took a real estate personal assistant course, through the Mike Ferry organization. Your story really gives me hope for the course of my own VA business.

Thank you everyone for your great comments. I am glad you enjoyed the interview as much as I enjoyed sharing my success to date. Stay focused, work hard and your success shall be seen.

Since completing this interview my business had yet again grown 10 fold. I have found new ways to market my business yet still sticking to my philosophy of building a referral business. While I engage in Social Media and build conversations, I am a firm believer that a referral will always be your greatest asset.

I wish you all much success in your own endeavours. What will you do today that will make a difference in your business tomorrow?

I appreciate you,

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Ness, REPA
www.NessLindsay.com