1/2010 Interview with Lee Drozak of My Office Assistant - Page 3 - Virtual Assistant Forums

#21 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010

Hi Lee

Thanks for sharing your story. I think it shows us how you are in control of your work, and not the other way round. For a long time, I've worked in an environment where the blackberry was king, and to know that you've chosen not to be contacted when you don't want to, was a revelation to me. It's inspired me even more to make decisions about what I do and don't want from my new business.

Fiona

Not a QuickBooks user? · #22 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010

kristyle~Glad you liked the interview, hope you have much success as you open your doors.

Fiona~The best part of business is being able to decide what is best for me. Hope the decisions some easy to you. Best of luck.

#23 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010

Great interview, Lee! I knew you had been in business for a while but I didn't realize it was three years. Congrats! I love how you pack up your office & take it with you in the RV!

2010 sounds like an interesting year for you! I'm not sure what a networking cruise is, but it sounds intriguing.

Lezly

#24 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010

Great Interview,Lee! You are a very inspiring woman. I learn something new from you everyday (literally on FB)

I look forward to moving into 2010 as a Virtual Assistant, sharing information and tips with you! And, all the other crazy things we share about life in general.

Thanks for sharing your story with us!

Not a QuickBooks user? · #25 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010

Lezly - Thanks for the kind words. As for the networking cruise, several groups in my area and in Florida are taking part in a 4 day 3 night cruise. One of the days we are at sea are going to be business workshops of which I will present 1 of them. Another day is going to be for meet and greats and getting some F2F networking in and the other days are free to have some fun with our colleagues and attendees. I am looking forward to it and luckily I have a great roommate (whom I met through networking) for the trip.

#26 (**permalink**) 01-22-2010

Wonderful interview Lee. As someone who is preparing for my own VA career, how exactly to you organize others virtually? Can you give me a few examples? I find myself to be very organized at home but am not sure how that happens virtually. Thanks so much.

#27 (**permalink**) 01-22-2010

Wow, Lee, great interview! Very informative. I love how your offices goes with you in the RV.

Not a QuickBooks user? · #28 (**permalink**) 01-22-2010

mksdesignss - Glad you enjoyed the interview and how I love to go. It was a tough battle when I first started taking my office on the road but luckily I easily found a great balance.

splarske - Being organized personally is half your battle because I feel is you are not organized in your everyday life it will cause chaos in you business life. I schedule my time even lunches, breaks and time for the gym to keep me mentally productive. I also have my email set up with rules, categories and folders so that I am not overwhelmed by my inbox daily. Another great resource I have is using Smartsheets to keep all my projects in order and share them with the appropriate clients so that they know where I am with their tasks and is I am in need of anything from them. The list goes on and on and please feel free to contact me off list is you want to get into this further.

#29 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010

Lee - I am interested in how you organize others rather than how you keep organized. I'm very organized at home and in my personal life also but wonder how I do this for others "virtually". Thanks.

Not a QuickBooks user? · #30 (**permalink**) 01-25-2010

Each client is difference since each of their needs are different and some I connect to remotely thereby creating a virtual file system and processes for them on their system. I also utilize Skype and Smartsheets as communication tools and for organization of some others. Again it depends on the client and their overall need. There are many great project management programs that can be used as well but I find that smartsheets works well for most of my clients needs because of the intergration with Google Docs and thereby streamlined file sharing.

You need to find what works best for you first since most of your clients will be working with you and your overall system. I have some clients who are glad to utilize the sheets and others who don't want the hassle of another area to access and will simple use email or fax to get me the information with no organization what-so-ever. That is why I have a rules and category system in place.

Another gem I just started with one client is a Wiki and I am trying to figure how I can use this process for client organization as well.

Hope this answers your question this time.