So, you have made your decision.. You’ve been reading the forums for the past month, and this is ‘it”. You can barely contain the excitement. The very idea of sitting at home (in your PJ’s no less) making money is within your reach. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? This has got to be the best-kept secret around.Well let me tell you, all of that sounds just peachy but have you given any thought to exactly what is a virtual assistant? Do I really have what it takes to create and run a business? Am I willing to make sacrifices and invest in myself?

Well, who am I you say?…… Well, let us just pause parenthetically for a moment and find out. My name is Cynthia Clark, business owner, and self-appointed “expert newbie” of “Cynthia’s Virtual Solutions.” I am here to tell you how my journey began. Where I have come from and where I am today.

I am no different from you, the person in the beginning of this post “is me.” I came from the same political corporate world, just like you. Making that horrific 1 ½-hour drive each way. Dedicating myself to a company that showed no appreciation for a job well done, yet still giving it my all. Only to find myself training the bosses best friend, (being the team player that I am) in preparation for him to (can you believe it) take over” my” job.

Needless to say that little block of my life is what got me here, thank God.

Which brings me to:

· Phase One

I did my research. The internet became one of my best friends. When I discovered how huge the “virtual assistant” industry was, there was no turning back. I read everything I could about the industry, and I took a look at seasoned VAs web sites as examples. I studied my heart out for about a month and a half, which brought me to:

· Phase Two

During my research, I discovered the wonderful world of “networking.” My first stop was, VANA (Virtual Assistant Networking Association). I had hit the jackpot. Hanging around the forum there was like hitting a Las Vegas Casino. There was just no way I could lose hanging out there. I dived right in, like the newbie I am, and began to post question after question.

I found each and every person that responded to my questions, friendly and more than willing to help me. The most important lesson I picked up first was given to me by a VA by the name of Angela Smith @ Accu-Assist. I bought her e-book called

“Networking for Newbie’s” Only after I read that book did the concept of networking begin to work for me.

· Phase Three

This phase is the most important to me, because here is where I found:

“The Virtual Assistant Revolution” or as it is more commonly known “The Rev.”

Here is where I found the best of the best. This smaller, more close-knit group of men and women has been instrumental in providing me with the necessary, experience, strength, and hope. The Rev, is where I found my coach, (Becki Noles of VA Training), my web designer, (Connie McVicker of Signature Worx) and my content writer, (Jaime Mann of Mann Made Time).

This network in and of itself is jam packed with a collection of winners in the Virtual Assistant industry. Most of who are also members of the VANA network as well. So here I am the new kid on the block and what do they do? They surround me like a newborn and take me under their collective wings. Each member of The Rev has something to offer the newbie, and it is up to that newbie to apply it to their business.

· Phase Four

This phase brings me to the here and now, and the moral of this story. Having gone through all of the above, with a willingness to learn, an open mind, and remaining teachable, I am now putting the final pieces of my business into place. I plan to have my web site up and running, my press release published and ready to go. A marketing plan and accounting system in place. And with my fellow “Revolutionaries” close by to cheer me on……..

I will present to you……..”Cynthia’s Virtual Solutions”

HOLIDAY POEM 

Virtual Strategies and the Virtual Assistant Training Program would like to wish you all the best over the holiday season, however or whenever you celebrate it. Stay safe and healthy!

Here is a little holiday poem I wrote for all the hard working and aspiring VA’s. Enjoy!

Holiday Preparations

Her fingers are flying across the keyboard

Looking for documents and where they are stored

The emails keep coming, her Inbox is full

How hard she is working they will never know

The holiday season is getting ready to start

Thank goodness she’s organized, in addition to smart

She’s been planning time off for weeks on end

Just a few more responses she has to send

One more click of the mouse and she’s on her way

When suddenly the phone rings, to her dismay

Her call display tells her it’s one of her clients

A client who, on her, has become quite reliant

Even though tired and ready to call the day quits

She lets out a small sigh and quietly sits

She picks up the phone ready to do one more task

“How may I help you?” she cheerfully asks

“With nothing at all,” her client then said

“Only Seasons Greetings to your family instead”

As she hung up the phone with a smile on her face

She looked around at her home office space

Her feeling of gratitude words cannot say

How blessed she feels to be a VA

Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Virtual Strategies
Phone: 604-483-3740
Fax: 604-648-8641
Email: marylou@vatp.ca