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My start as a
Virtual Assistant (VA) came about from my having moved back
to Norfolk, Virginia to help care for my aging parents then
having to juggle a full time job, my caretaker
responsibilities and being a single parent. Due to poor
quality day care, constant demands on my time and
inflexibility of my employer, I stepped out to do something
I had always longed to do. I became my own boss.
Doing so solved
several problems for me. I could be available for my
parents, children even friends and family while still doing
work I loved. For the first time in years, I looked forward
to working. I longed for assignments and during the slow
seasons I did mystery shopping, worked for the Census, took
care of sick children and even worked several part time jobs
over the years. All of which enabled me to continue working
from home for the most part, paying the bills and reaching
towards my goal of business ownership.
Being a VA has been
a dream come true. I no longer dread getting up to go to
work. There are no more commuting nightmares, no more
gossiping co-workers, no more trying to be in two places at
one time. My first benefit was less stress, followed by
more time to devote to raising my daughters, being a better
daughter and friend. I tell others who want to be become a
VA that the requirements are simple. Want to put God first,
your family next followed by work and you will do just fine.
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How will your business improve the
economy or the lives of others? It would allow others to
learn about becoming entrepreneurs as Virtual Assistants.
It would allow small business owners to use the time that
would be consumed by tasks they can outsource, to
concentrate on making their businesses more successful. It
would help me to someday be able to hire others and
outsource some of my work to other Virtual Assistants. All
of which would improve the economy and the lives of others.
What will the grant be used for? It will
go towards the purchase of a new computer. The desktop
computer I’m currently using was purchased in February 2005
and has survived a cross country move in April 2005,
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and several years of daily
use. It is an essential part of my business and I couldn’t
work without it.
How will the grant encourage your
business growth? It will allow me to upgrade from Windows
XP to Windows 7 so I can work with current software on my
client’s projects. Being able to work faster will allow me
to do more in less time, prevent loosing time due to slow
and/or halted machine time plus it will make interaction
with my clients much smoother thus helping to grow my
business.
What is the Point of Distinction, POD,
in your business? Admin Services is distinct in that it has
survived and overcome obstacles, endured through hardships
and remains here to help with much needed services. The
original goal of helping businesses and individuals with
their administrative needs is still my main focus.
What is your Mission Statement? My
Mission Statement is very simple. My business, Admin
Services, exists to help other businesses grow.
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