If you’re anything like me, the hardest part of running your own business isn’t providing your product or service. It’s the little stuff, like making your own travel reservations, sending your own faxes, going to the post office, formatting documents.
It took me days to find a phone system for my new office. Or the not-so-little stuff, like putting up a Web site, paying the bills, or doing your own PR. It’s tough doing without the support staff you took for granted when you were an employee.
So it’s no wonder this article from Crain’s Detroit Business caught my eye. Crain’s spotlighted one entrepreneur who’s finding strong demand for her new service, StaffPro Virtual. The service matches small businesses with independent administrative assistants or professionals who work from home on a per-project basis. Clients pay StaffPro, and StaffPro pays the virtual pros.
There are lots of virtual assistant services out there. It should be easy to find one—and the good news is, since they’re “virtual,” you don’t need to find a local service.
Working with one can be a smart move. It allows you to bring in staff or temporary workers as needed for busy times, without committing to full-time employees and all the expenses they entail. And if you travel a lot for business, like I do, you don’t have to be in your office to work with the virtual assistant or professional.
StaffPro founder Lesley Delgado says her company acts as a matchmaker between the pros or assistants and small companies. Another benefit, she says, is that she’s helping people who have lost their jobs start their own home-based businesses.
If you are using a virtual assistant in your business, tell us about your experience. Is it an affordable service? Could you do without your VA now?
Rieva Lesonsky