Web URL: http://www.timeisoftheescents.com
Years in Business: 6.5 years
Type of Business: virtual assistant
Works: 100% virtually
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pattydost
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/timeisoftheescents
Twitter ID: @pdost

Ruth: Welcome to The Naked VA blog Patty. Tell us about Time Is Of The Es-Cents and yourself.

Patty: I provide a variety of services such as newsletters, administrative support, e-commerce, website maintenance, etc. Most of my clients are other Virtual Assistants, however, I do have a few direct clients.

Ruth: How did you get started as a virtual assistant?

Patty: The company I was working for closed and I wanted something a little different. At the time of my looking for another position, jobs weren’t really available. I was doing a search on the Internet and found the term “Virtual Assistant” and decided that I could do this. I assisted the company I had worked for virtually and knew that I could assist others. I started my business in February 2006. I wasn’t sure what target market I should look at so I just assisted other VAs until I figured it out. I was a member of VAnetworking.com at the time and was trying to learn as much as I could. In the process of learning, I would also try to help people by searching the Internet for things that they needed help with. In October 2006, I attended a VA conference. At that time, I met Tawnya Sutherland, founder of VAnetworking.com. She was looking for a VA at that time so we chatted and she hired me. As I started working with Tawnya, I also started assisting other VAs and it just happened that my clients were all Virtual Assistants. I then started becoming known as The VAs VA.

Ruth: Along the way have you had a mentor or sponsor to support, guide, encourage and open doors for you?

Patty: When I joined VAnetworking.com there were a few people that started a side chat in Skype. So, between Tawnya hiring me and the friends I made in the Skype chat (Sally Kuhlman, Yvonne Weld, Terry Green, Becki Noles, and Heather Jacobsen) they all guided and encouraged me. I also have to say that, since starting my business, Candy Beauchamp, Kathy Colaiacovo, and Peggy Murrah have guided and encouraged me. It’s nice to work with others in the industry because they understand and are able to answer questions when they arise. All of these ladies, and many others in the past 6 years, have not only become clients or encouraged me, but they have also become very close friends.

Ruth: If you could share a nugget of insight or bit of advice for someone considering a virtual career such as yours what would that be?

Patty: I would definitely recommend that they join IVAA (International Virtual Assistance Association), VAnetworking.com, and the Virtual Assistance League. When joining these groups, show others what you can do by replying to their questions. Don’t just go out there and sell yourself. They should also search to see if there are local VA meet-ups or organizations to join. Get to know others in the industry and do a lot of research. If they’re looking to subcontract for other VAs, I would highly recommend that they attend the IVAA Live Summits and meet others face-to-face. You’ll not only meet others that are within the industry but you will also gain some very close friends.

Ruth: What bits of advice would you give someone seeking a virtual professional such as yourself?

Patty: If you’re looking for team members, do your research, ask them if they have clients that you can talk to, and give them a test project. Also, even though they own their own business, it’s pretty customary anymore to give them a probationary period. You’ll see soon enough if the two are a fit for each other.

Ruth: Any last thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Patty: In each position that I’ve held, I’ve loved what I’ve done. In my business, I love the clients I work with and I love their clients. You need to enjoy what you do. If you enjoy what you do, enjoy learning, and enjoy being flexible, you’ll always be happy. Enjoying what you do will show and your clients will know because it will show in your work.

Ruth: Thanks so much, Patty.

Patty is also the author of The VAs VA. When you become a Virtual Assistant’s Virtual Assistant, you open yourself up to other opportunities and Patty throws the door wide open with her 40-page eBook. She’ll share her real experiences with proactive solutions for how you, too, can make working with virtual assistants your client niche’.


About The Naked VA Blog
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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.