Loading ...(This post was originally published May 21, 2008, but I thought it was a timely subject for those who are confused about the topic.)
I read an article today in one of the newsletters I keep up with that talked about the myth of being a successful solopreneur by bootstrapping. This is a topic I have been intending to write on myself so it came at the right time and got me in gear.
Virtual Assistance is inherently a solo-based business model due to the close, collaborative relationship the concept is based on.
But running a solo business does NOT mean doing everything yourself. By no means at all!
Just as we advise our clients and remind the marketplace that they simply cannot do it all themselves and trying to do so will keep them from becoming successful, the same is true for Virtual Assistants.
I’m always advising Virtual Assistants, get help–the sooner the better.
Now, I’m not talking about farming out other VAs to clients… that’s not Virtual Assistance, that’s virtual staffing (and lots of times, the ways in which folks are doing that is flat-out illegal).
What I’m talking about is hiring the staff and providers in your own business to help you run behind the scenes.
Don’t do your own bookkeeping–hire a bookkeeper. Have an accountant take care of your taxes. Maintain a relationship with a business attorney to answer legal questions when they arise. Hire employees and/or your own Virtual Assistant to take care of the administrative work necessary to run your business and take on portions of your own client work that don’t require your personal expertise. Leave certain jobs to the right professionals (for example, having a professional web designer create a business site that will attract clients, place well in the search engines and act as an actual work partner in your business and marketing).
Having all the key players to help you run your business will leave you to focus on clients, help you grow to the next level, and give you more free time and mental space to brainstorm and just enjoy life. Hey, I don’t know about you, but I didn’t go into business with the intention that all I’d ever have time for was work and being chained to my computer.
Trust me, you will never make it to a six figure business unless you have the right help supporting you.
5 Comments
This tip is always “food” at the right time.
I could not agree more. I am just now starting to look into finding the exact help you mentioned and I can already feel the pressure coming off and energy flowing with great new ideas.
Don’t forget about having help with things around the house. I bring in a “mommy’s helper” who helps me with my two small children and small things around the house – folding clothes, unloading dishwasher, sweeping. We can’t do it all ourselves!
Great point, Jessica! I have to admit, I am clueless as to how to advise those with small children on balancing business and family. With all the time and energy a business needs to become successful and profitable and do good work, it’s like having 5 children in one. I honestly don’t know how anyone with small children manages it. My daughter was already 10 when I started my business. She didn’t require the kind of attention that little ones do, having lots of friends and being able to entertain herself. I think if they are of an age, having kids help with little things in the business is great on all sorts of levels. It teaches them about entrepreneurship and responsibility and work ethic and allows you to be even more of a role model (I especially love this for girls). Thanks for commenting
It is a challenge with two small kids – 5 years old and 14 months. And we’re planning to homeschool the 5 year old this fall. I’ve come to realize that right now my goal is making a little bit of extra money and keeping my skills current. But I have to continually remind myself that and hold firm to that – which some clients haven’t liked – but the ones willing to work with me are wonderful!