Hi everyone, yet another n00b. I'm another user to toss in the "aspiring va" pile. I've worked as a personal and an administrative assistant for the last 5 years or so but recently lost my job due to some cut backs (that and they refused to help me pay for transportation to the office, which had skyrocketed due to gas!). So I'm thinking of going it out on my own as a virtual ass't, with the experience I've had.

Tips and polite comments to the effect of "you don't know what you're doing" are encouraged! Thanks!

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loss of your job...but when a door closes a window opens. This is the beginning of the rest of your life.

Good Luck with your new VA business !!

All the Best,

Marie

Welcome East Coaster! I'm in Rhode Island and boy do I hear you on the gas prices! I'm sorry to hear about your job but believe me, there is a bigger plan in store for you!

Welcome to the forum, there are a lot of useful tip and tricks that you will learn fast on this forum!

Hi there and welcome
I can sincerely tell you that not one single person here will respond to your posts with a discouraging sentence - that's one of the best things about participating here...there's this amazing genuine support factor. Not to mention the sheer amount of information.

Be sure to read the getting started checklist to help give you a general idea of what you can start brainstorming over/preparing for. And once you reach 25 posts you can access our document library as well where there is another, more expanded version of the same that you can download and print out.

I'll look forward to learning more about your business plan and philosophy!

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Hello!

Welcome! I'm so sorry about your job loss. Just enjoy the time you have and work hard at starting your biz! You'll do fine! Just read and take lots of good notes.

Great to have you here.

Deirdre

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Deirdre's Virtual Office

I am so sorry about the loss of your job.

Look on the bright side - you are about to embark on a journey that is simply amazing. I had no idea what the future held 2 years ago when I lost my job. And I can honestly say I've never been happier. I like to joke and say I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up (and I'm 50!). LOL!

My advice is to do exactly as you're doing - join VA forums, study, read, research, find out everything you can about the industry. There are some amazing resources out there (and here). Take advantage of them. Spend time getting to know what you're about to jump into. Also look at all the things that go along with being a business owner. It's not for everyone.

We look forward to supporting you in your journey. I can't promise it will be without bumps but I can promise it will be a ride to remember.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Vickie Turley
A Balanced Alternative

Hi and welcome!

I can relate. I too started my business 4+ years ago as my job was made redundant. I sat for weeks thinking what type of business I could start and then it hit me like a ton of bricks: What I have been doing for years: administrative support!!!

I have loved it and never, ever regretted it all these years.

Best wishes!

Taryn

hi morelemonpledge! Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry about the loss of your job. With your great administrative experience and with the support of this forum, you'll have a good head start in your new VA business.

Hello,

Welcome aboard! It's so great having you with us. I'm sorry to hear that you lost a job but it did open a bigger door for you. So in that sense, it can be a great thing in long run. One positive thing about becoming a VA working from your own home is that you can save gas from communting. Isn't that great?

With your ample experience, I'm sure you would do just wonderfully as a VA.

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com