The Virtual Assistant A Team:The Helpers to Business Success

Starting a new business can be a rewarding but sometimes an arduous process. If you have in place a group of people available to you and your business, when you need them, this journey may not seem so trying especially when problems or situations arise.

You want to have a clear mind when problem arises instead of adding to the stack of issues on top of issues. This group of people can be called your business A Team. Your A Team should cover the basic elements of business; legal, financial, technical, customer service, business support and administrative.

Legal/Business Lawyer – Attaining some level of business legal assurance at the beginning is a smart choice for your business. And the best part is there are others options today other than having to have a business lawyer on retainer. (Although, if you can afford it, it could be the best idea). Being prepared by having a legal company or lawyer ready when you need them will save you more stress.

Helpful Resources:

Prepaid Legal - you pay a monthly fee (around $30) to have access to legal professionals.

Legal Zoom – a collection of helpful business forms & letters such as

Financial/Accounting – This is probably 1 of the 2 most important aspects of your business to be sure is secured and concrete. Not secure in my knowledge – business accountant or book keeper business tax laws yearly changes. You have those bases covers….tax form, state or local government.

Helpful resources:
Bookkeeper ListAllows you to search for a local bookeeper.

Internet/Web Designer/Hosting – One of the most important ways to help promote your business is your website and you will want to be sure to have someone in your corner who is knowledgable about design, formatting, SEO.

Helpful resources:

Dauwd MiracleOur very own web man at Sparkplugging
Michelle Waters of Watersweb Solutions, LLC

Office Equipment Repairs - for your computer and office equipment. Your computer, fax and printer are those staples in your business providing your revenue. It is a smart idea to have a go to business or person to be answers those repairs or technical issues when things break down.

Helpful Resources:
Geek Squad
Hewlett Packard

Business Coach/Mentor – Obtaining a business coach will allow you to have another person “on your side”. There are even some coaches specifically targeted to help virtual assistants. This could be a good idea because they have been in your shoes with running a virtual business themselves at one point.

Helpful resources:
Kathie Thomas – Kathie has been in business since 1989 and has the experience as a VA coach to help virtual assistants starting in this field.

You should also seek for a business mentor. The great thing about having a mentor because they have been in business for several years which helps guide you and possible protect you from the common mistakes. One of the online mentoring Full Circle Mentoring founded by Sharlene Redway.

Networking Groups – it is all about support, support, support. When you are new to the business ownership world. This is another venue to find support from others in your similar situation. I have written this statement from husband and it is very true. Knowledge is power. Good, bad or in different. By being a part of groups, you will be able to access different backgrounds, situations, perspectives on various industries, titles and demographics.

Helpful Resources:

Powerful Entrepreneur Yahoo Groupassistance in receiving answers to business questions.

HER Mastermind Ryze Grouphelpful to women entrepreneurs to receive support, ideas and suggestions.

Virtual Assistant Forums - Many categories to help any virtual assistant - new or seasoned.

Teresa’s Tip: When choosing your “A Team”, draw on their strengths and cover your weaknesses. It is also smart to align your A Team with your determining your goals before hiring a virtual assistantbusiness goals.

Teresa’s Tip: Get referral from someone you know regarding your financial information. You don’t want your financial information with something you don’t trust.

Teresa Morrow is on Board of Advisors with The WECAI Network ™ (http://www.wecai.org) and Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ™ (http://www.wemagazineforwomen). She has over 15 years working with various industries to include property management, landscape architecture and financial planning firms in executive administrative positions. In 2007, Teresa started Key Business Partners, a virtual assistance & online promotional company for coaches, speakers and writers. She cares about her clients and is available for 20 minute free consultation. You can contact her via email at keybusinesspartners@verizon.net or visit her website at http://www.keybusinesspartners.com .