PierToPeerCoaching

The VA Business Start Up Course - Autumn Term 2008

Launch your VA career by joining one of our Group Tele-Class courses this Autumn...

"The VA Business Start-up course is fantastic! The e-book that accompanies the course is a goldmine of information and resources. It's informal and easy to read, but the content really sticks. The tele-classes are very useful in exploring different aspects of a VA, and working through it with other up and coming VAs is very beneficial. Kate is very motivational and encouraging and really makes you dig deep into what you want from your business; her enthusiasm is infectious! The course has really helped shape my thinking for my VA career, both in terms of how it will work as a business, and how I can (and will!) shape this to fit me, my interests and my life. I can't wait to get started!"

Katie Macdonald

IMAGINE...what it would be like...

* To learn without having to go anywhere - simply dial into the group tele-classes from the comfort of your own home

* Get support from fellow participants - build relationships that will last

* Be encouraged by your tutor who has created her own VA business to fit her life

Train to be a VA by the sea!

Unfortunately, I have had to postpone "Training to be a VA by the sea" my brand new face-to-face course option in sunny Brighton until early next year. I will let you know as soon as possible the dates for the first course in 2009 and will be posting about the Early Bird Special in the very near future!

TRAIN TO BE A VA BY THE SEA...NEW face-to-face course option announced!

The VA Business Start Up Course is going to be offered for the FIRST time in a two-day workshop format on 15-16 September 2008.

IMAGINE...what it would be like to...

* Learn in a workshop setting - many prefer learning face-to-face

* Support from fellow participants - build relationships that will last

* Course materials - take away the eCourse which takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up your business once you get home

* Keep on track - regular group tele-classes following the course

* 1-2-1 coaching - 2 x one hour telephone coaching with your course leader

* Online community - membership of the Google Group

* Expert Tele-Class Series - MP3 recordings of "expert" classes to listen to in your own time

* By the sea!...all in the beautiful setting of Blanch House Hotel in Brighton - morning/afternoon tea and coffee and lunch included + a cocktail at the end of the day! Accommodation for 2 nights at this boutique hotel is included in the course price of £1250.

To join this first course (Monday, 15 & Tuesday, 16 in September 2008) contact me now to confirm your place as we are limited to 6 participants!

Kate Hope - VA Business Start Up Course Graduate

When did you first think about setting up as a virtual assistant, or VA, and how did this come about?

I was looking for a more local PA job (at the time I was commuting from Northamptonshire to West London every day) and whilst searching the internet, happened to chance upon an article about Virtual Assistants. I hadn't really heard of the concept before, but it instantly made sense to me. I'd been keen to find a new challenge, which would hopefully draw on my existing skills and experiences, and running my own business seemed like a fantastic way to develop myself beyond the Director's PA role I was involved with at that point. I discussed the idea with close friends and family, many of whom thought it was an excellent idea. The timing couldn't have been better; I wanted to work nearer home (let alone AT home!) and to be able to be a little bit more flexible with my working hours, to try to fit in with my husbands' unusual working schedule.

Micala Wilkins - VA Business Start Up Course Graduate

When did you first think about setting up as a virtual assistant, or VA, and how did this come about?

I first thought about setting up as a VA at the beginning of 2007, knowing that Pier to Peer Coaching offered a service to not only coach about this topic but also a practical step by step guide to setting up a business. What Kate offered was value for money when you consider some of the alternatives out there. Many other organisations offer advice but this comes with a cost too, and having a one stop shop for coaching and business set up that was relevant to a VA seemed the most logical way forward. I commenced a VA course with Kate in February 2007 having given serious thought that this course could help me turn the dream into a reality.

Janet Walker - VA Business Start Up Course Graduate

When did you first think about setting up as a virtual assistant, or VA, and how did this come about?

My boss was suddenly made redundant in May 2006 and I resigned. The job had always been challenging, which I enjoyed, but the last two years were seriously over-pressured and after I left I spent several months at home, catching up with a long list of things (and people). I decided it would be a 'pray, wait and see' time. I just knew, though, that I could not return to a commuting, full-time role in an organisation. Part-time work, perhaps, and/or the chance to work mostly from home, seemed good options.

Various possibilities seemed to open up but nothing concrete. During this time I noticed occasional articles and comments in secretarial publications and websites on Virtual Assistance and setting up home businesses; I was vaguely intrigued and kept the cuttings in a file. It all reminded me that, ten years before, I had attended a conference on Teleworking and written a report for my company on the pros and cons, concluding that, as an Executive PA, "I could not ever envisage myself wanting to become a remote provider of secretarial services". It now seemed to me that, although providing secretarial services remotely is perfectly valid, there might be more to being a VA and therefore taking this route might be more attractive to me than I'd once thought.

Train to be a VA on the weekend!...course starts Saturday, 3 May 2008

Imagine...if your working day looked like this...

- I am free to take my children to, and collect them from, school and spend quality time with them

- I take time away from my home-office to build connections through networking in my local business community

- I work "office hours" that suit my schedule

- I work on projects that stretch me and allow me to learn new skills

- I work with clients who appreciate me

Make the dream reality... by joining the Group Tele-Class option of the VA Business Start Up Course, starting, Saturday, 3 May 2008 at 11:00am. For a full course outline and to book your seat now (LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE) click here.

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What participants are saying:

I can HIGHLY recommend (Kate's) brilliant start-up course to anyone who is just joining the world of Virtual Assistance. I'm enjoying our (group) tele-classes enormously and learning absolutely loads as I go...

Kate Hope
www.katehope.co.uk

What is it like to create a business to fit your life?

Lately I've been thinking about what it means to create a business to fit your life. Work/life balance has become quite a buzzword in the last few years, so let's take a look at how it plays out in real life...

The starting point for most people is what they don't want in their lives. Do any of the following resonate with you?

* I'm tired of spending 2 hours or more each weekday on a crowded train
* I'm tired of working to pay for decent childcare
* I'm tired of not been appreciated by my boss
* I'm tired of not using all my skills at work
* I'm tired of working long, stressful hours
* I'm tired of not having enough time each day to enjoy life

Is it really possible to produce a six-figure turnover from a VA business?

The answer is a resounding "YES!"...but certainly not immediately.

My colleague, Kathryn Williams, owner of Completely Organised announced yesterday on the 5th birthday of her VA business that her turnover this year will top £100,000. Congratulations Kathryn, what an achievement!

How did she do it? The answer to this question is threefold:

* Developed her business over a period of 5 years

* Created links with associates

* Always on the look out for new opportunities

Back to school this week...last couple of places left on the VA Business Start Up Course!

Complete your VA training this Autumn for £429.00... BOOK NOW to secure your place!

VA Business Start Up Course commences: Thursday, 6 September 2007 at 7:30pm

* Have you just had a wonderful summer holiday and wish you didn't have to go back to work?

* Are you bored and feel your skills are completely under-utilised in your job?

* Fed up with the grind of the daily commute?

* Do you want to devote this Autumn to your own personal development?

What would it feel like to learn the skills this Autumn to start your very own business as a Virtual Assistant, or VA, at the beginning of 2008?

Did you know you can utilize your top secretarial skills AND chose the people with whom you work? Giving you back control over your career AND allowing you quality time for family, friends and other pursuits...

The power of the group

Thursday night is the second module of my VA Business Start Up Course. I'll admit I was a little terrified two weeks ago faced with running my first ever (paid for) tele-class!

For some reason I thought I'd have to DO everything myself...i.e. not only run the class but take responsbility for the participants. I'd not bargained on the power of the group...they are a wonderful bunch of lively, curious and motivated women...who can quite clearly look after themselves!