Interview with Tess, Founder of Virtual Assistant Forums

Hey Tess, I was wondering if you still have the client that started you as a VA?

Wonderful Interview! I am a new member and it's going to be fun reading the interviews about everyone. Thanks for the wonderful site.

Hi Tess

Finally, it all falls into place - I couldn't work out who this Tess was on all the posts I kept reading. Obviously our saviour (not in a religious context of course), but the VAs knight, liberator or rescuer.

Thank you, thank you and thank you for starting this forum. It seriously has been invaluable to me in the past few days. So much information from people who have the past experience, knowledge, but more importantly who are are willing and extremely happy to assist us newbies. Thank you. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to pass on my knowledge and experience to others in this same format. My idea of Karma - great idea.

I loved your article and thanks for sharing. Three things really stuck out for me:
1. Reinvent yourself
2. Great advertisement for Dell
3. Write it all down

Personally, I have a trustworthly Dell and would not budge to another company. Don't know if you're still as adamant about your "new" Dell, but I've never had a problem with them, so stick with what you know is my motto (when it comes to computers anyway!).

Write it all down and reinvent yourself, have always been my maxims so one day I'll write a book about the wonderful adventures my life has afforded me. Have you written your book on your eventful life? I really would love to read that.

Thank you again.

Cheers
Tania

Hi Tess,

Thanks for sharing.

"as a completely self-made VA I believe that in the internet age people can and do reinvent themselves left and right".

Love it. Spot on.

Amy

Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments! I'll post back with answers to your questions

Hey Tess, I was wondering if you still have the client that started you as a VA?

Hi Roni, that original client is still with me today although we've moved on to much bigger projects now! She's one of the best 'types' of clients because once she found a place of trust she really went with that and will now just shoot me an idea and wait for the finished product. No micromanaging, over-the-shouldering, etc. - it makes for a very comfortable working relationship.

Hi Tess

Finally, it all falls into place - I couldn't work out who this Tess was on all the posts I kept reading. Obviously our saviour (not in a religious context of course), but the VAs knight, liberator or rescuer.

Thank you, thank you and thank you for starting this forum. It seriously has been invaluable to me in the past few days. So much information from people who have the past experience, knowledge, but more importantly who are are willing and extremely happy to assist us newbies. Thank you. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to pass on my knowledge and experience to others in this same format. My idea of Karma - great idea.

I loved your article and thanks for sharing. Three things really stuck out for me:
1. Reinvent yourself
2. Great advertisement for Dell
3. Write it all down

Personally, I have a trustworthly Dell and would not budge to another company. Don't know if you're still as adamant about your "new" Dell, but I've never had a problem with them, so stick with what you know is my motto (when it comes to computers anyway!).

Write it all down and reinvent yourself, have always been my maxims so one day I'll write a book about the wonderful adventures my life has afforded me. Have you written your book on your eventful life? I really would love to read that.

Thank you again.

Cheers
Tania

Great response Tania, thanks!

I have to admit, I chose to go with a VAIO when I replaced that Dell, FINALLY. It was so destroyed after four years traveling around that it was time to get a new one but at the time I was shopping for computers Dell was in the news for defrauding customers on things like warranties, etc. so I went with Sony. The Dell survived incredible abuse but I was put off by the way they were treating people.

Now, I'm about to replace this laptop too [I think I'm just really hard on my computers, they last me about two years before it's time to replace them....] and am considering another VAIO or maybe an HP... we shall see. I leave the research on machines up to my husband and business partner.

You truly are my inspiration. I have a passion for my current position as Executive Assistant and my future position as Virtual Assistant. I know I will make this happen for myself. Just this week I decided I needed to have quantifiable goals, written down, so I can make sure I achieve my dream of being a self-employed VA. Your posts are always so inspirational. Thank you so much for always being so open to sharing your knowledge!

Your story shows the true entrepreneurial spirit! It is so great hearing about success stories that come from people who are doing what they want, when they want. Thank you.

Thank you Tess for choosing to share your experiences with us, to mentor so many of us.

[English & German Virtual Svcs]

Tess, your story is awesome. I too have wondered who Tess was and now I know - lol. Now I just have one question, do you still live in India?

That was really fun to read. I love the fact that you are now at that level where you keep your weekends free, it is a great feeling to be able to do that.

Keep up the good work Tess.

What a great interview. Your sink or swim entry into the VA industry is sooo inspiring. I am currently maintaining an unfulfilling and underpaid 9 to 5 while attempting to get my VA business off the ground. Wish I could dedicate more time to it, but gotta feed the babies (lol). Thanks for sharing!

This was a great post! It's quite motivating to a newbie.

Thank you so much for your kind comments everyone!