Economy Falls and Virtual Businesses Climb

Our economy may soon officially be in a recession (isn’t it already?) and rumours have it, this economic downturn could in fact be worse than the recession of the early 1980’s.

With our economic structure tumbling, I look around and realize this really is an excellent time to start up a virtual business. Not only a virtual business, but a business offering much needed services to business owners who are cutting back on finances but still need someone to take care of their behind-the-scenes tasks before they crumble with the economy.

In case I didn’t make myself clear earlier, a Virtual Assistant is someone who provides administrative, marketing, and personal assistance to business owners virtually, from a home office.  Our particular company handles everything from research, scheduling, data entry, spreadsheets, presentations, reports, written communications (press releases, articles, blogs, web content) and even run those personal errands an entrepreneur doesn’t have time for.

Now with today’s economy, small business owners are working harder than ever to stay afloat. Time is definitely money and many entrepreneurs need that time to survive. We come in as the contractor who provides the work when needed and then go on to the next project or client. It is that simple.

Administrative and marketing services will always be valued and while the economy weathers this storm, businesses still need our support. We provide our services and businesses have time to focus on their main priorities. It’s defintiely a win win situation!

Launching a Business – What Drives People to Do It?

In light of the launch of our new business, I have been inspired to research why people opt to work for themselves and open their own company.

Our personal reasons for opening VIP Assistant Solutions stemmed from a desire to be our own boss, allowing us both the freedom of flexible hours and the full sense of accomplishment we feel from doing what we truly love to do. Not many people can say they love their work and while we haven’t officially opened our doors yet, I can tell you that I already love the work we will do! I have already been doing it, as a part-time freelancer, for a year now and I wouldn’t want to look back.

Launching VIP Assistant Solutions is also a new learning opportunity and a chance to expand our horizons and experience unlimited possiblities. Not knowing where our new venture will lead is exciting and motivating to provide the best services we can to our clients.

Here are more reasons people opt to go out on their own:

Being your own boss – As I mentioned, being your own boss comes with many rewards. You decide when, what, who, where and how.

Create your own schedule – I know the whole 9 – 5 schedule isn’t always my cup of tea. In fact most mornings a large cup of coffee doesn’t do it! While you are going to be working longer hours when you first start up your own business, you have the freedom to decide when those hours will be. Personally, my creative juices start flowing after lunch! Whenever you do start your day, you can break whenever you want  for running errands, picking up kids etc.

You can choose your clients – The advice I have read and heard since beginning my research on starting my own VA business has been to pick and choose my clients wisely. The freedom of working for yourself should also be working for people who motivate you and energize you. Not for people you may find in an office environment who may drain you and stress you out. It’s ok to pick and choose who you want to work with.

It’s simple – you’ll be doing what you love - What can be more rewarding than doing something everyday that you love? If this hasn’t fallen into your lap already through a company, create the feeling yourself by opening up your own business! It’s important to be passionate about the work you do, otherwise it can be difficult to get up in the mornings! Especially our cold Canadian winter mornings;)

CP

Allow Us to Assist You

Welcome to VIP Assistant Solutions’ blog! We are a full service virtual assistant company offering such services as writing, marketing and general administrative tasks to small business owners.

Our company emerged when we realized small business owners exhaust themselves attempting to wear all of the hats. We are only human! Regardless how well we do at our job, we simply cannot do all of the work and have time to sit at the dinner table with our family at the end of the day.

The need for an outsourced administrative and marketing professional became clear to me while working at a large Insurance company. Being an administrative assistant, I was in charge of setting up all new hires. It soon became apparent we were running out of office space when we started creating cubicle pods, seating four people rather than just one. Our floor was quickly becoming cramped and the other floors in the building were too full to house our department. This time in my life actually made me wonder why more people weren’t working remotely. In fact a telecommute pilot project was being implemented when I left.

If a large organization is having trouble finding office space and pinching pennies wherever it can, I could only imagine what a small business owner faces! With the economy the way it is, and increasing commuting time, many entrepreneurs opt to work out of their homes. This is where WE come in.

We help small business owners with all administrative needs AND we help market their business at the same time. We really are a one-stop-shop. Both of us have the experience and education to help businesses with an array of services.

Our website will be launched November 24, 2008. We are extremely excited and ecstatic to help your business grow and prosper.

Caroline P.