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prosperngrow

posts: 7

Nov 10, 2007 7:18 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello Everyone,

I`m in desperate need to fulfill my dreams of working my own thing from home or partially outside the home or whatever.I`m having trouble finding a business to start. I`m a Personal Assistant now(part time). I have done home and office organization. I`m hoping someone(s) can give me an idea of what i could start that doesn`t require alot of start up cost. I can see the dream but, I`m having the trouble achieving it. I have tried but my problem comes with getting my business exposure, the marketing end of it.

The things I like to do is , organize,decorate, being a personal assistant, I love researching whatever I need to know, I grew up in a home/office cleaning service so I know it like back of my hand, but, I don`t want to solely do that, I know Admininstrative Assistant work(did for years). I have a passion to help people, I love being creative and do something original and different.

Any Ideas with the background I have...I can maybe roll into one and do?????

CampSteve

posts: 1216

Nov 10, 2007 1:10 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I don`t really know anything about the Virtual Assistant industry but it is something you might look into. It seems your background and skills are suited for it. Because it is a "virtual" position, startup capital would probably be more reasonable.

bestofasia

posts: 1

Nov 10, 2007 10:16 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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hello, if you interested in fashion, I have jewelries, handbags etc, these are high end products that sell in high end stores but great items for online biz like ebay etc if interested feel free to send me a mail at best-of-asia@asia.com

Aimee

posts: 9

Nov 12, 2007 12:26 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello Asia,

What is your website for viewing your inventory & prices?

Aimee

prosperngrow

posts: 7

Nov 12, 2007 6:41 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I want to say thank you "Campsteve" and "Best of Asia" for your response.

The Virtual does sound like a good idea, I need to research it or if anyone knows anything about "Virtual Assistant" please share some info. I would appreciate it.

Bestof Asia do you have a price list or a website??

Loren

posts: 242

Nov 13, 2007 12:57 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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It shouldn`t require much, if any capital to set yourself up as a sort
of freelance employee... where you`ll get paid for your hours, more
or less.

Employees don`t earn profits, which as far as I am concerned is what
owning a business is about... but for you that may be splitting hairs.

You, like 1000s of people online, are looking for a way to earn money
without spending any.

Here`s a website with good information about virtual jobs you can do from
home. If anybody wants to charge you for a start-up kit for a "job" its
a scam... no matter how good the compensation sounds.

http://wahm.com/jobs.html

There are also some good forums on that site where you can learn the ropes
of the virtual assistant industry.

You can make money writing articles for marketers too. You would need
to be a brisk typist and speedy researcher... but skills grow.

If you are good on the phone... or at least not afraid to talk to people, you
can earn the most money of all. I hire people to do research and make
phone calls for me... and I pay well. However, I don`t pay hourly, I only
pay for sales made.

CMugs

posts: 11

Nov 13, 2007 3:13 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Here is an article I saved from ConsumerAffairs.com a couple of months ago. It may help you get started as a VA.

Virtual assistants

If you enjoy administrative work and are good at it, you may be a good
candidate for a virtualassistant (VA) job.

The best VA’s come from administrative backgrounds, but anyone who is
detail-oriented, loves to work in a support role, and has a well-rounded
work history would possibly do well in a career as a VA, said Stacy
Brice, one of the founders of the VA industry.

Brice, who provides help and training through AssistU.com
, said the pay could be rewarding, based on how
well you do your job.

Because VAs are business owners, they set their own fees, based on the
value they can create for their clients. You`ll see fees all over the place,
but AssistU-trained VAs generally have fees that are $30.00 + per hour,
Brice said.

Why would someone hire a virtualassistant?

Many small business owners, sole-practice professionals and entrepreneurs
hire VAs so they can concentrate on what they do best, rather than getting
bogged down in administrative details.

Oh, and also so they can work at home. You`ll find graphic artists, Web
designers, technical consultants and all kinds of independent professionals
working at home and using virtual assistants these days.

I use a virtualassistant so that I don’t have the responsibility of
overhead, payroll, etc., said Jonathan Pool, a Michigan-based mechanical
consulting engineer. In a way, it’s like having a consultant of my own,
someone with their own expertise.

In addition to AssistU, you can find valuable information at the
International Virtual Assistants Association and at
Staffcentrix.

prosperngrow

posts: 7

Nov 15, 2007 6:01 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I thank everyone who has answered me so far, you have given me valuable information to search out these avenues and see if it will work for me or if I need to be in another direction with my background. I guess the biggest thing now , is thinking of how to get customers....I think that is where alot of people whom try to start there own thing gets stumped at and don`t continue.

Have a great day!

CMugs

posts: 11

Nov 15, 2007 3:52 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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One more thing. I coach small business and those wishing to increase net worth and one book I am recommending right now for anyone wanting to start a business is "Cash Machine for Life" by Loral Langemeir. You would probably find it useful.

smallbizcoach

posts: 24

Nov 17, 2007 1:39 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Virtual Assistants are a growing profession. The more and more people take their businesses home, the more need their will be for virtual assistants.

In regards to pay. It`s hard to find a good VA for less than $35 an hour and goes up to about $75 an hour. If you are good, then you will find a ton of work.

Best of luck.

Aaron

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