Web URL: http://www.APVirtualEnterprises.com
Years in Business: 5
Type of Business: VA for Authors, Speakers & Entrepreneurs
Works: 100% virtually
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/APVirtualEnterprises
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/pebblesjacobo
Twitter ID: @PAJacobo

Ruth: Welcome to The Naked VA blog Pebbles. It’s great to have you here and be able to share more about you with the readers. Tell us about A&P Virtual Enterprises, Inc.

Pebbles: Though I work primarily with speakers and authors in various stages of their careers, several of my clients are entrepreneurs. I provide social media management, blog management, speaker sheet and business card design, book formatting and copyediting, ebook formatting and, most recently Kindle and Nook formatting.

Ruth: Tell us how you got your start being a virtual professional? Why this career choice?

Pebbles: It’s all about the husband. He saw my potential and encouraged me to seek out working from home through the internet. As I started my research I realized many people offer administrative assistant services from home. Being a former Microsoft Office teacher and tutor, administrative assistant, and office manager gave me the necessary skills to set up shop for myself.

Ruth: It’s such a boost to have encouragement from your spouse. I love how he saw your path first and nudged you in this direction. Very insightful. Along the way have you had a mentor or sponsor to support, guide, encourage and open doors for you?

Pebbles: My support and guidance has come in the form of blogs and ebooks in terms of learning how to be a VA. As to learning how to run a business, that, I am learning from my husband. With his years of business experience I’d be a fool not to learn from him or his experiences. Using what God has given you is a boon in your purse.

Ruth: You can’t go wrong working in your spiritual gifts. If you could share a nugget of insight for someone considering a virtual career such as yours what would that be?

Pebbles: Google search. That’s my secret weapon. When faced with a task I am unsure about, I do a Google search to expand my general knowledge base. This has served me well, kept my clients happy, and expanded my skill set in unimaginable ways. A good VA has to make things happen for their clients.

Ruth: Being adept at using Google should be in every virtual assistant’s arsenal of resources. Great reminder. What bits of advice would you give someone seeking a virtual professional such as yourself?

Pebbles: Hire a VA as you would any other employee. Do a little research so you know exactly who you are hiring. For example, if you are hiring a VA with web design experience, check out their website. It should look professionally designed at the very least. Ask if they have professional profiles on any freelance, networking, or social media sites. Check out their profiles before hiring. With new clients I start with a two or four week probationary period contract. At the conclusion of that contract I evaluate how well we worked together as a team and issue a longer contract, generally for 12 months.

Ruth: Very helpful suggestions to get to a virtual assistant better. Any last thoughts or comments you’d like to share with our readers?

Pebbles: VAs, connect with other virtual assistants and freelance professionals. Set weekly, quarterly, and yearly goals to ensure you and your business continues to move forward. Lastly, remember that clients are clients; keeping things on a professional basis prevents lines from being blurred.

Ruth: It’s been great talking with you, Pebbles. Thanks so much for allowing me to host you.

To connect with Pebbles reach out to her on her website.

For the VAs: Pebbles invites you to join her Facebook page focused totally on you. The VA Authority shares all things virtual assistant from job postings to networking plus includes advice and building resources for your online business.

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The Naked VA is authored by Ruth Martin of Maplewood Virtual Assistance. The blog and site are focused toward virtual professionals of varying niche specialties with topics and resources for working online.