You’ve got skills…but how do you best leverage them to start a successful work from home virtual assistant business?
I often hear people that come I across in my business worry over the fact that they don’t have the right skill set to start a Virtual Professional business. In episode 9 we’re going to ditch the doubt and learn the transferable skills professions like teachers, administrative assistants, nurses, bloggers, sales reps and others have that translate into work from home virtual assistant jobs.
Today we’re going to look at 10 jobs and their transferable skills, the opportunities in the market you can use them for and the unique appeal they offer to your potential clients.
Here are some highlights from the interview that you really don’t want to miss (just forward to the time stamp noted before the highlight).
2:41 Why you shouldn’t get stuck on the word assistant…more detail on that here
5:55 Teachers – “Teachers have a big opportunity to move into the VA space because they have a great mix of organizational and creative skills”
8:55 Administrative Assistants…more detail on that here
10:33 Customer Service – “Customer Service Professionals have a unique ability to problem solve in a very professional manner.”
14:06 Technical Support
16:53 Nursing – “Nurses can make excellent VA’s because they value process and protocol, and not making mistakes.”
18:45 Accounting/Bookkeeping
20:54 Marketing
22:14 Project Manager – “If you can create a process to make sure big things get done you can be a winner in the VA space.”
23:53 Technical Work, QA or Developer
25:40 Sales – “you don’t just have to work commission”
I also got to answer some questions from the live audience… I seriously love taking you questions, join me live and hit me up!
30:02 My thoughts on Flex Jobs vs. Hire My Mom vs. Upwork…check out a whole show on that here
33:55 What jobs should you bid for if you have little ones at home with you?
Guess what? I have a few more opportunities I want to share with those of you ready to take your skills into a virtual work from home business now. Think action items; tangible steps to move you towards launching your VA business. My partners are offering some great courses and guides right now. I only partner with a few other organizations that personally know and can genuinely recommend.
“Word Girls”: Proof Readers and all those who love to perfect the written word, check out this link for the fastest way to take your gift to a virtual business and start this year.
“Number Crunchers”: Bookkeepers and all my number savvy moms out there…you don’t even need an accounting degree to launch a successful bookkeeping business. My friends at Bookkeepers.com are ready to show you step by step how to launch a virtual bookkeeping business. Just check out this link to learn more about their great guide and course.
“Go-getters”: you realize you have all the skills you need and are ready to find that virtual work now. Head over to FlexJobs.com and find the work waiting for you!
Check out my 7 Businesses You Can Start Virtually Guide below and let’s stay connected, I can’t wait to hear about your new work-from-home success story!
* I’m an affiliate partner of these recommended programs and will receive compensation. Remember I only affiliate with a select few experts whom I trust and share the same core business values with.
Every day I am asked what is the quickest way to get out of a corporate career that I hate. It is a question that I love and hate to answer.I hate to know so many women are suffering at jobs that leave them unhappy and unfilled but I love sharing my true passion – how to leave the golden handcuffs and show the way to creating a life that works for you. There is nothing more freeing and exciting that becoming your own boss. While there are 7 main ways I listed here to create income as your own boss…I do have a favorite and top reccomendation. Just skip down to number 7 for that answer!
Info Products
Does this take a lot of work? Yes – and while you might not see it – typically the money is made on lower dollar items. What most people are not telling you is that only a few are rising to the top! What I mean is – you need a HUGE mailing list and a big following to make money here.
For example: If you want to make $50,000 with a $100 product you will need to sell 500 of your item. Doesn’t seem bad right? Let’s break it down a little more. With a 10% conversion (with is pretty high!) you will need to have to be in front of 10,000, consistently. This is without any advertising costs, team members, anything. Whew. It’s a big undertaking right out of the gate.
A Book
So many women in corporate want to write a book. I have done this. Let’s think of it this way – a book for you is a great BUSINESS card.Typically a book’s money isn’t made from sales, it is actually the tour, the speaking engagements, and everything that comes with it. I hear from corporate women all day long that you are interested in doing this. That you want to write a book about your knowledge and experience – I get it! I was right there with you. Just know that isn’t going to be your path to replacing income. It is a great path to getting your name out there so people connect quickly.
Speaking Engagements
Do you love getting out in public and wowing a crowd? There is great money in this if you are good at it! If you like PR, love getting out in the public eye, and are really good at it, you can pull in tens of thousands of dollars doing this. Just know you will have to hustle to build your platform and be known in this field.
Affiliate Marketing
Selling someone’s products. There is great money in this. You can sell, recommend, and make money through someone else products by various streams of media. Do I recommend it as your only source of income (or even the way you leave corporate)? No – I don’t.
Advertising Space
This used to be this big game a few years ago. Is it the same now? Not so much – things have shifted now. It is hard to get into but that does not mean you cannot jump in if you are ready to work and realize you are in for the long haul. Are you a connector? Are you good at sponsorships and know how to work those deals? This might be right for you. Is this the fastest route? Not likely.
Physical Products
Maybe the most fun! (I am bias – Love our Firefighter Wife Line!) Amazon and Shopify are amazing platforms that are easy to work with and just about anyone can set up, create, and start selling within 24 hours. How incredible is that? Does that mean you will make enough money to leave your job in 24 hours? No – but you can begin the process. You need more capital here – this is a long process and one that should be fueled with passion. You will be surrounded by your product!
Service Business
My number one recommendation! This can be anything from a Virtual Assistant, Web Designer, Bookkeeper, etc. There are so many options and skills that are needed throughout the world. A client service-based business is where you can take your skills from the corporate world and shift them into a marketable offer that allows you to work virtually! CHeck out my 7 Businesses download below for specific virtual businesses that you can start this week!
Be Your Own Boss:
Which idea is going to take you from your day job to your flexible, work from home career? If you just need the nuts and bolts to start your virtual business, my Starter Kit was designed just for you.
You know yourself best. If you need more hands-on help than any tool kit/online course can offer or maybe you have started something but it just not growing the way you need it to…
I have mentored many women through the process and I would love to help you too! I will coach, train, and push you to design your best and more profitable virtual business with my Virtual Mentoring Program. Get to know me and learn more about my mentoring program below:
I quit doubting my abilities and being paid too little for my talents.
I quit racing out the door every morning to make that next “urgent” meeting set by someone else while being held captive in our corporate cells.
I quit having to fly around the world at someone else’s demand and instead choosing when and where I want to travel with my family for my business.
I quit scheduling 6 am conference calls to Europe and 9 PM conference calls to Asia because that’s my family time.
I quit worrying about what that new boss is going to do to our project budget and timeline and staffing levels.
I quit the corporate rat race but I still do what I love, with all my professional skills and experiences, on my time, with clients I chose, from the comfort of my home.
These days I’m home every morning for breakfast and I’m here every afternoon when the bus pulls up.
Yes sometimes I work early mornings or late evenings but it’s by my choice.
I truly quit working. Because what I do now rarely feels like work.
If you’re like me, a busy corporate working mom, you’ve spent time choking back angry words and hot tears in your cubicle for a million and one reasons.
Let me tell you the truth that no one else is sharing…
You were made for more than this. And there is a better way to be wife, mom and mega-__________ (insert your super talent) for the world.
You see, you are so talented that the smart people in your company want to keep you around. They’ll stroke you with just the right compliments and just enough flexibility to make the job tolerable. Of course, they aren’t going to tell you that you are worth more because they don’t want to lose you.
You might be sitting there thinking, “But Lori, that is great for YOU. It won’t be the same for ME. I won’t be as lucky.”
Nope. Nada. Luck has nothing to do with it. It takes brains (you’ve got them), a system (you can learn that) and a new way of thinking outside of the corporate mold (you’ll start going there with this article.)
There are 3 primary reasons to quit your corporate career now:
#1 Freedom – You make your schedule
Do you dread setting the alarm clock at night? Does the sound of it going off in the morning make you cringe? Does it make you shiver with anger every time you have to take time off for a doctor’s appointment or vacation? If any of things are ringing true for you, then you are craving a life of control – where you are in charge. Running your own business does not mean you do not have the responsibility, it simply means you are one making the decisions. Many times it is MORE work, but it is work you care about.
#2 Family – Your most important priority
Oh moms. This is where my heart and passion lie. I can remember laying awake night after night just devastated that another day would go by where I would miss seeing those sweet cheeks laying next to me. Hearing the baby belly laughs or experience the awkward elementary plays because I had a late meeting. There is no pain like a mother’s hurt, feeling like she is letting her family down (even though we are NOT – know that I do not feel that way… I just know what YOU are feeling. I have been there!). If you have the passion and desire to BE there with your family. Truly there, in and out every single day no matter the good, bad, in between times – there is a path to do so and the options are more available than ever.
#3 Passion – You were made for more than what’s inside those cubicle walls
Now, don’t think for a second I am getting all “woo-woo” on you! My techie side just isn’t made like that, I promise. BUT – there is something to be said for following what we love. If you are with me reading this, you have something you love, truly love. You have a piece of you that is missing, where your career just isn’t enough. Where your career + family STILL isn’t filling a void that you NEED to feel complete. Honestly, I have spoken to so many mothers who feel BAD about this. Please do not. This is incredible and is one the things that make you such a great mom. Your passion and drive are what will bring you great success.
You likely have some business ideas and maybe you’ve even taken some steps to get started but it feels like everything is stacked against you and it seems that it may be just easier to tough it out in this job.
Don’t be lulled into complacency with the “easy” money.
Your job there is no safer than the entrepreneurial world. It could be cut tomorrow and “they” are not going to feel bad about that. “They” care about the company first, people second.
My only regret leaving my corporate job is that I didn’t do it soon enough.
Don’t believe the lies within those cubicle walls. There is a way out that doesn’t mean sacrificing your family nor your professional skills.
If you are a professional making $80k+ in corporate and want to expedite your Virtual Professional business, Virtual Work Mentor is the program you want.
What is holding you back? Why not quit your corporate career now? Please share in the comment section below, maybe we can find our way through that together.
Working and being a mom is busy, isn’t it time you explore more flexible work options?
You’re likely to spend 40 years of your life in some form of employment. And, those will be the best hours of each of your days that you spend doing “work”.
No matter how much you love your work, once you have children, you realize your most important title in life is Mother or Father. You’re in charge of the development of a human being! And maybe multiple. This tiny person has the ability to leave a major impact on the world. (So do you.) But the ability to inspire and guide your own flesh and blood into young adulthood (and beyond if you are blessed with their respect) cannot compete against the next SAP implementation, process improvement or Product Iteration 4.0 you may be a part of.
Now step back and take a look at all those years of your life.
For only 1 of them are they an infant. For only 5 of them are they home all day, every day. And for the next 12 they are in school during their best hours and you get to spend family time together during morning rush hour, evening rush hour (I’m talking about your kitchen / bathroom rush hours) and the end of the day when your batteries are wearing out. If you’re lucky, the weather cooperates for some of the weekends you have together that aren’t filled with catch up around the house, holidays and extra curricular activities.
Newsflash! The cliche is so true. They are only under your roof for a short time.
And thinking of teenagers who jump right into their own busy life by about age 13-14, you’re really talking about 13-14 years of time when they like to listen to your thoughts. 13-14 years out of 40ish years in which you will be in the workforce. If you have 2 – 3 kids, that may extend by a couple of years max.
So is it a big deal for you to take a step back from the ladder climbing for a season? What about asking for a part time or reduced hours role? Or, finding a way to work from home entirely?
I want to break down some creative work options for families. Personally I have been full time, part time, flex time, on ramping, off ramping, contract, self employed, overtime, travel time and everything in between. So basically, I have a little firsthand experience to share here.
Option 1: Alter Your Current Work Schedule
If your employer offers reduced hours, flex time or alternate work schedules, this is ideal. You are valuable to your employer as that cost to hire a new you can be high with retraining and learning curves. Consider approaching your boss. This is by far the easiest to transition to as it requires no retraining and you can almost immediately find relief in your schedule to meet family needs.
So many kid related activities / appointments must happen between 8 and 5. Teacher meetings, doctors check ups, phone calls to set up summer camps, tutoring and other programs. If you can, create a schedule that gives you some free hours M – F between 8 and 5 to get those activities done.
When I worked part time while our kids were younger, I had co-workers frequently say things like “that must be nice” assuming my off hours were spent at the spa or on the golf course. It was pretty easy to give them a dose of reality as I described grocery outings to the warehouse store because it was faster during off hours and picking up uniforms and dry-cleaning that filled my off afternoon. Oh, and at less pay but that part was entirely worth it. It was not about money but moments with family.
Option 2: Take A New Position Designed for Part-Timers
If staying with your current employer is not an option, take this as an opportunity to try something new that caters to part-time hours. One way to find this is to reach into your personal network of people who know your work quality and understand your time constraints. It takes focus and discipline to crush a project while working part-time but often what I found is that my efficiency nearly compared to that of a full-time worker (for half the pay so be careful how you negotiate that!)
Option 3: Become an Independent Contractor
It takes some planning, some sales, and the ability to self-manage but independent contracting has never been an easier market to enter. To begin looking for possible job fits for you consider these great sites.
Flexjobs.com, Upwork.com and HireMyMom.com are all places you can find freelance work. There are great projects for anyone with administrative, marketing, legal, finance/accounting, sales, project management, graphics/creatives, writing, or technical skills. If you want a deeper dive into these options check out my other blogs where I do case studies for these types of work from home flexible jobs for moms:
Don’t forget to download our Step-by-Step workbook if this is the path you are considering. It’s only 3 steps and it’s exactly what catapulted me and others to the work from home freelance consultant business.
Option 4: Make 6 figures running your online business
Kidding. Actually partially kidding. This is my warning to not get suckered into the emotionally riveting email subject lines and sales pages promising quick wins and cash while you sleep. Online marketing does work well but behind that are real people having real conversations doing real good in the real world. What you need is an effective business model that matches your skills and serves a need for a particular audience. And then, perhaps some coaching / consulting from someone who has run a real business that leverages online marketing. I say it like it’s simple. “All you need to do is…” Well here’s one secret. It’s just one foot in front of the other, trial and error and then you find that audience that craves your personality, product or service. One of my favorite things is brainstorming and critiquing business ideas and growth strategies. I offer online business consulting sessions: It’s your chance to pick my brain. Click here to learn more.
Option 5: Start With a Direct Sales / Home Party Business
*If* there is a product you love, and you are only trying to replace a couple thousand a month, these can be good options. It’s a ready made business. You learn the system and follow the plan. You must not be afraid of sales. You must have a decent sized personal network and /or be ready to invest in marketing to grow an audience. And you must realize, with a few exceptions of some long-standing companies, this would not be a lifetime career but good for a season. Also beware that while the hours are flexible, many jobs like this require a lot of evening and weekend work which may be worse for your family schedule.
I need to be honest and say that this is not my most favorite path. I did rise to a director level in a direct sales company while working full time and pregnant with my 4th child. (Yes I figured out the system and LOVED the products and my passion for it attracted people to me naturally.) Amongst the few things I didn’t like about this option is that you have to “sell the dream” that isn’t achievable by some. It was heartbreaking to see people get super excited about the product and the financial freedom potential of becoming a consultant knowing that a small percentage truly get to the level I was or even higher. So to set expectations, this path is great if you only want to replace $500-$1500 / month by the end of the first 3-6 months and are ok with the evening/weekend work. But, you do build an audience and have a ready-made following should you decide to launch another venture.
More on direct sales later. We can talk a LOT about that if you need direction.
In case you are still leery of jumping off the ladder-climbing path at your job, remember this: This change in your work is only for a season. Once you get beyond it, most people won’t even remember it. In fact, most co-workers may not even know you only work part-time or reduced hours if you continue to deliver great work.
You will learn a LOT about yourself as you optimize your work schedule and efficiency and learn new things.
It will be very refreshing to have a job you like to focus on that doesn’t press into your family time. (Dare I call this the elusive balance everyone is seeking?)
You will never regret those moments home with the kiddos. When you are refreshed and home on the couch with them by 3 PM and able to practice ABCs together when you aren’t completely exhausted.
If you ever want to go back to M-F 8-5 employment you will come back with a whole new set of skills and experience to share.
If you are worried about the reduced income that can accompany a reduced hour schedule or job change, be sure to factor in these unexpected benefits:
More time to plan healthy, affordable at home meals
Less stops for coffee and dry cleaning
More time to shop around for purchases instead of needing to make a rapid selection
Less spent on wardrobe
Reduced commuting expenses
What’s your next step? If you want to explore the possibility of a career change to accommodate your family needs, let’s chat. More resources for working moms can be found below. Or to tap into my brain for a business planning/brainstorm session check out my options here.
Want to move faster?
If you’re ready to quit that job or start earning fast check out my Virtual Professional Starter Kit.
Included in Starter Kit:
Instructional Guide with all the steps for whatever phase of Vir Pro Business you are in
Printable worksheets and templates, including Scope of Work template and a high performing Portfolio for getting started
90 Minute Workshop to design the right VirPro business for YOU
30+ video lessons teaching you specific steps to start and grow your business
Fast Classes Learn and learn quickly the highest dollar virtual work skills.
