Hi everyone...I recently (2 weeks ago) decided I wanted to try out a Virtual Assistance business. I am having a hard time pulling the trigger. I have my domain name registered, but am finding it difficult to make a decision about the hosting company. Still need a logo, website and to apply for my Fictitious Business Name.

I am not sure what is holding me back, maybe fear? Can anyone else relate? What did you do to finally get out of your slump and just go for it?

It sounds like you need to do some more planning. It's a shame you didn't get to hear all of Marisa's webinar because she had a lot of insights about finding your business direction, your personal message, branding etc. If you don't have a clear idea about the type of business you want to start or the type of client you're looking to work with, you'll find it extremely difficult to come up with a concept, name etc.

Do you know what services you would like to offer? Will you be a generalist or will you work with a particular industry?

If you start looking into these aspects, you'll find the motivation to get started

Good luck!!

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Sabrina L. Williams
Your Property and Admin Needs Made Simple

Hi Traci,

You can still sign up for another of Marisa's seminar which is tomorrow at 5 PM PST. I did.

However, fear is a huge paralyzing factor. Give up perfection and just start somewhere. Tell yourself that you are in the learning phrase and you can shoot for good and not perfect.

just my 2 cents.
jan

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Jan Udlock
Freelance writer, Virtual Assistant,

Jan - Thank you for your "2 cents" it is much appreciated and of course makes a ton of sense. I am a perfectionist and you are so right I am in the learning phase of a new area of my field, I do need to give myself a chance and understand that I can and will make mistakes.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post. It is food for thought.

Sabrina - I am going to start out as a generalist. Once I get my feet wet, I will know better what I want to do. I would like to intern under someone to better understand what people are looking for out there.

I appreciate the feedback/advice...

I was SO here. I am sure more people were in this position then we realize. Everyone has a fear or a worry about starting a new chapter. It took me a month to figure out my name. I just wasn't sure and didn't like anything I came up with. Then it just all fell into place. My husband helped me with my logo creation shortly after. Then I thought of the tagline. I created my FB social media page first and within 2 days I have 60 likes...it was very encouraging. I am now creating my website. This has all been within the last month. It is been a slow start but now that I am getting things all together I feel something good is in the horizon. I just keep thinking positive things. We all have our negative moments but just overlook it and know you are doing what is best for you at the moment. Good luck to you!

Traci,

Great idea on the intern part. This will allow you to get the full gist of the business from a client end.

In the meantime you can start to work through the process and I would begin by filing for your Fictitious Name because if that name is not available you will have put too much work into the other parts only to have to start over again.

Sometimes you just need to pull the trigger and stop trying to make everything perfect. Friends joke that I have OCD and ADHD (although I am not sure they are kidding) so it was very hard for me to let the process just happen. However, by making mistakes it has made me a stronger and more success business woman. I am often asked if I could change anything what would it be and I always answer not a thing because by all the steps (good, bad and ugly) have gotten me where I am today.

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Lee Drozak

Traci, I was in your position as well. I wanted everything to be perfect, convincing myself that there was more that I had to have in place before I started my business. Then after a couple months of doing this, I finally decided to go for it, so I scheduled time in my calendar to go register my business name. This month, am celebrating my first year anniversary in business.

I would recommend you selecting a date of when you will start your business. Then stick to it. Schedule in your calendar when you will register/file your business name. Then, select your hosting company. I like Hostgator; they have excellent customer service.

The logo can come after you start your business. I have a great gal who designed mine, I will be happy to give you her contact information, if you are interested.

This is a great forum full of great resources and wonderful people wishing you success in your business.

Traci.. I also just started my own biz and as the ladies say I just went for it. I sat down and developed a rough draft business plan, read everything and anything, then put the plan in motion. I filed for my business name, applied for my EIN #, set up my website, created the contracts, signed up for different forums & created my social media accounts, and created my business cards. Now I am in the marketing/networking phase. Good luck!!!

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Tiffani~ ABS

Originally Posted by Nixt_2010

Hi everyone...I recently (2 weeks ago) decided I wanted to try out a Virtual Assistance business. I am having a hard time pulling the trigger. I have my domain name registered, but am finding it difficult to make a decision about the hosting company. Still need a logo, website and to apply for my Fictitious Business Name. I am not sure what is holding me back, maybe fear? Can anyone else relate? What did you do to finally get out of your slump and just go for it?

I would suggest Tess' eBook 'Become a Virtual Assistant' and pretty much every eBook written by the Virtual Assistant Forums because they have everything you need to kick start your business: From writing a business plan, putting contracts together, even brain storming ideas for a business name ( and eventually names for packages you may or may not offer). Starting a business can often be like sky diving...it's scary but you just have to GO for it!

The thing that got me past the fear is just starting on the things I could start on. My website (hosting wise Bluehost is great if you're going to be working with wordpress) my facebook page, twitter, linked in. Connect with other VAs over social media. Commit to working on one thing a day and soon it will add up.

I'd also suggest to committing to reading one thing VA or business related too. With the information coming in and you doing something to start your business everyday you'll see it grow. It will give you confidence and then things won't seem so scary.

The thing you have to remember is that your business will evolve and change and grow and that's OK. That's a good thing. I went from being a generalist VA to a specialist and added new skills and a niche market in literally a month. I only started being a VA early this year.

We've all been there. The best advice is just to start. Every one of us has something unique to offer, you included.

Josia

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Josia T Denton Technical Virtual Assistant: For Businesses + People on the Go!

There's a great resource right here, I started my biz before I saw it, but I think it may be useful all the same. Do a search for Getting_Started_as_a_Virtual_A ssistant on this forum and check out the free guide.