Hi,

I am sole VA right now but I am seeking to start a Multi-VA firm. Can anyone offer advice on how to do this? Would I subcontract to other VA's in order to bring them aboard my team? Do I post a RFP on here to get responses from other VA's? How do I go about screening? What type of subcontract fee's should I be willing to accept?,,,,etc.

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Nekiwa Smith, OAVS
5 Keys to Profits

I am thinking of having a multi VA firm too and wondered how much time a lead VA needs to spend on their multi VA firm. Is it a full time job?

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Suzanna Kiraly
VirtualAssistantAce.com

This is very interesting as I'm very curious to see what responses come across to this thread. I'm very new to the VA business myself and plan to be up and running very soon. Cant wait and wishing all of you newbies the best!


Sharon

I'd recommend reading through the various threads in the Virtual Assistant Subcontractors section as well as here in the Multi Virtual Assistant section. If you still have specific questions it's best to post them one at a time so that you get more responses (they'll be higher quality as well).

Regarding how to find VAs to work with, I can only speak from my personal experience - I always connect with VAs I know from networking here at VAF, based on what I see in their posts, their blogs, on their websites, etc. When someone impresses me and I have a job I need help with I always turn to this community. Generally, I'll reach out directly to the VA I have in mind, although in some cases I have posted an RFP or a Classified ad here on the site. I'm always making mental notes about who specializes in what, who writes well, who clearly has a lock on a specific skill, etc.

Spend a little time doing some homework here on the boards and you'll likely find answers to many of your questions.

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We have a multi VA team in place and have for almost 2 years. Because in the beginning, or at least for us, money is tight. We used the Odesk site to find sub contractors and other VAs. Caution: put them on a temporary probation period, I have had a few that said they worked, but after the 2-3 week, the work was getting sloppy or at least not to our standards. This allows you to find workers for 5 USD per hour and make reasonable money off their services, if they work out- you can always raise their pay (as you make more money) and them permanently add them to you team. Good Luck and you need more help, feel free to contact me.

@ Your Virtual Assistants. Thanks for the info. I was wondering also what are the legal issues or having a Multi-VA biz and what is the best legal structure? Can you still be a sole proprietor?

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Suzanna Kiraly
VirtualAssistantAce.com

Suzanne, I'd recommend asking your question in it's own thread - you'll get more direct answers than you will here with it buried in another question/thread.

It's a great question and one I'm curious to know the 'official' answer to as well...

My best *guess* is: because your subs are still business owners themselves, you would continue to be whatever legal structure you are already. You'd just need to send each of your subs a 1099 at the end of the year with the total amounts paid out. As long as you maintain the relationship as a contractor (not blurring those employer/employee lines the IRS takes so seriously) you would be fine doing it this way.

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