Annoucing A Contest For Virtual Assistants
For quite some time I have been working alongside my brother on his design projects. I have been watching and learning and getting involved in a few of his projects, or at least as much as he allows me 
I only recently started another site, Free To Be You Designs, that gives me an outlet for pent up energy and a medium for relaxation. Its going great so far and since we are celebrating our 6th Anniversary here at Five Star Executives, I thought, what better way to celebrate than to host a giveaway for my fellow virtual assistants
Yep, that’s right, something for my fellow VAs. A chance to win a custom designed Wordpress theme for your blog or website (if you run your website on wordpress). Right about now you probably have a few questions so I will try to clear them up below.
What Will I Really Win?
The winner of this contest will receive a completely customized wordpress theme to match his/her business identity. So if you have been struggling with or tired of looking at your old WP theme that everyone else has, this is the contest for you.
What If I Do Not Have A Website Or Blog?
Here is the great part. If you currently own a website, I can install wordpress for you. If you do not own a website of blog at all, just purchase your domain name and I will give away free hosting for one year!
How Do I Enter?
Recently there have been so much confusion about what qualifies a person to call themselves a VA, that sometimes we loose site of the “blessing” that this industry has been to many of us. It certainly has been a blessing to me. So all you have to do to enter this contest is, leave a comment saying why you will like to become a virtual assistant or what being a virtual assistant means to you.
That’s it! Please do so before September 30th, 2008 and consider that your entry. If you write (linkback) about this contest you will automatically receive a second entry.
When Will The Winner Be Chosen?
The winner will be selected and notified on October 3rd, 2008.
I look forward to working with the winner, but I am getting ahead of myself, go ahead and leave your comment below
We’re All Grown Up Now And Very Grateful
I cannot believe that we are now six years old!!! What can I say…time flies when you are having fun.
There have been many ups and downs. Times when I felt like throwing in the towel and other times when I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I remember when I decided to start this business, I went out to Office Depot and Target in sleepy Jacksonville, FL and purchased everything that you can imagine for an office.
Boy was my start up cost high. Looking back, it didn’t need to be. Upcoming VA’s, don’t run out and purchase a whole lot of fluff , it really was not necessary then and it certainly is not necessary now.
My very first client, actually I took on three new clients all at the same time. They were the local hairdresser, the Avon lady and a convenience store. I made a total of $125 for designing their fliers It was not virtual but their referrals brought me a lot of virtual work over the upcoming months. Some may say that I got off to a good start but by the 4 month I still was not making anything near what my salary used to be.
I realized that I really had to start talking. I practiced my speeches at home, I am a virtual assistant, I …..I was more than prepared whenever anyone asked what I did, now that I left my “big time” position. I was more than ready but I quickly learned that my speeches could be more effective if I spent time listening to what others had to say at my local networking efforts. Boy did I ever listen! I went home at nights and composed drafts for emails to send to those I had spent time with and invited them to lunch where we can further discuss their issues.
I gave some of them temporary solutions, offered my assistance and gained their trust. I gained a few friends and later gained more than a few retainers. One if my very first, Jason Connelly from Just Media in Valley Stream, NY. This came because I took some time to assist a small business owner in Jacksonville, FL and he new a friend, who had a friend who needed assistance with his inventory!
From their it was all just one glorious blur. I cannot thank my loyal clients enough for all the support and patience with me, especially Marva Hewitt, for becoming my guinea pig with the many conferencing and collobortion programs available.
I want to thank my clients and friends for all the candy and flowers, but really, this is my time to give something back to you. Thank you all for wanting to play a part in my upcoming plans for Each One, Reach One, a program for disadvantaged teens.
I especially want to thank my precious team, cause I just couldn’t do it without you. To Merlene, Frank, Cynthia and Wally, we butt heads from time to time but its all in good fun.
To my fellow virtual assistants, who have all pitched in to help when I am drowning, Carlana Charles, Renee Bouchard, Jennelle Thompson, Alicia Donaldson, Terry-Anne Redhead, Amanda Gould, Christine Alexander, Camelia Joseph. You have my eternal gratitde.
I did not want to make this a speech but it already is so I finally must say thanks to the faithful prospects who have waited to get on my waiting list. There is light at the end of the tunnel and the wait is almost over.
We six years old, we’re six years old! I cannot wait to see what the next six years bring.
Crystal
