Tag Archives: Entrepreneur

Backyard grape crush

A Virtual Assistant for the World of Wine

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It’s exciting when you can turn your passion for something into a daily habit – and no, I’m not talking about just the drinking of wine (although we should all know by now that a glass of red wine a day is actually a healthy thing!) but the regular involvement?in a subject area that you love.

If you had told me ten years ago that I would be exploring and learning about the world of wine from my home office it’s quite likely I wouldn’t have believed you. But then again, maybe I would have as I am an optimistic type in general.

summer dinnerIn any case, I’ve been working in the wine industry for a year in the capacity of a Virtual Assistant and loving every minute of it. The opportunity to learn new technology and?skills, meet new people?and?perform tasks I wouldn’t have considered before at my former in-office positions – the list of new opportunities is endless.

I’ve always been interested in all things wine, perhaps because I am fascinated by the growing to cooking (um, actually the eating and drinking!) cycle and the happiness that surrounds family and friends when they?get together to enjoy great food and wine. And who isn’t captivated by travel and the countries that grow great wines – for me in particular Italy and France.

As I write this post, it is February 2016 and the days in Vancouver are a bit dull and grey, but my mind is humming along with excitement at the prospect of completing my WSET Level 2 this March and travelling with my family to Paris and Normandy this June!?Two things I did not anticipate happening so soon?or perhaps even this year at all!

So here’s to looking ahead to the months to come and a daily glass of what’s good for you!

Ciao and Bon Voyage!

 

 

 

To find out more about my services as a Virtual Assistant for Wine visit my contact page here.

How A Virtual Assistant Can Save (Make!) You Money

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Virtual Assistant can helpFor many business owners the time comes when they need to get help ? either in the form of a Graphic Designer, Accountant, Marketing Consultant or a Lawyer ? there will always be a need for skills outside of your own to keep your business profitable, manageable and growing.

These needs?will vary depending on the nature of each business, but there is one common need?that all businesses have?and that is the performance of all of the administrative tasks that keep the bigger picture running?smoothly: filing, email and data management, invoice processing, social media, blog research, etc. (see my Services page for a more complete list).

Most business owners start out doing these tasks?themselves, only to find as their business grows so do the amount of administrative tasks!

Suddenly, your business is?at the point where the administrative load is?taking too much of your time and you have less and less time to devote to growing your business. Except you?are in a position?where hiring a full time administrative professional at a full time salary is out of the question?- but what can you do??Perhaps it’s time to consider a Virtual Assistant (VA).

The Single Biggest Advantage to Hiring a Virtual Assistant

As a Virtual Assistant (and therefore business owner myself), I believe the single biggest advantage in hiring a VA is paying only for the time you need and being able to tailor this time specifically to the tasks?you would like performed?in order to effectively?decrease?your workload.

How Can a Virtual Assistant Save Me Money?

But how am I saving money if I?m paying my Virtual Assistant to do these tasks for me?Hour 25 Virtual Solutions Saves you Money

Simple math! Your billable hours are probably at a higher rate than your Virtual Assistant. By delegating tasks to your VA, you are saving yourself time, which in turn?saves you money ? the difference between your billable rate and your VA?s.

But it doesn?t end there! This is where the value of your time comes in: the time you save delegating tasks to your Virtual Assistant?can be spent?creating?new business (in whatever form that is ? products, networking, etc.).

Or, as frequently is the case in life and entrepreneurship, maybe you really need to put some balance?back into your personal life in the form of quality time – for your health, relationships or education.

Remember always, before hiring your VA you will definitely need to prepare:

  • A specific list of tasks that your VA can do for you
  • Your budget for these tasks
  • Your process,?tools and desired results for each?task
  • Your communication plan with your VA

These are very?important to a successful working relationship with your?Virtual Assistant?and most VA?s will ask you for this information upon your initial consultation. Your Virtual Assistant?also should be able to help you organize and prioritize your task list and possibly recommend more efficient ways to perform them.

Partner with Hour 25 Virtual SolutionsAs a Virtual Assistant and business owner I recognize that I need to place value on my time and so should you. A Virtual Assistant is a Partner in your success. I?m invested in seeing your business flourish and grow?because that?success is a reflection of my own.

And, to be honest, I?m an ‘admin geek’ as well,?but that?s a store for another day.

Here?s to making the most of your time!

If you wish to contact me with questions or regarding my Virtual Assistant services please send me a note through my Contact page here.