This story is about…
Female entrepreneur: Chelsea Hart
Company: Your Ultimate Professional Assistant
Industry: Virtual/Personal Assistance
Location: USA
She started her business because: she lost her job
Age range: 20s
What motivated you to start your business?
I lost my job back in 2009. A friend of mine suggested I start a business revolving around administrative assistance, since I have a strong background in business administration and legal secretary. Due to fear and financial instability the first two years, I had to work full/part time jobs. As of January 1, 2012 I’ve been running my business full time without the financial assistance of a “corporate job”.
Tell us about your business…
I specialize in office organization and virtual assistance. I coach and consult my clients on how to stay organized with simple filing strategies and create systems that make a one-man shop easier to manage. Plus my clients are given the ability to do what THEY love which is run their business. :-)
What is a day in the life of you like?
A day in the life of me consists of working in the morning for my clients (virtually or on-site depending on the clients needs) and then spending the majority of the afternoon finding new ways to market myself, post ads in new locations, follow up with potential clients, network, and to be honest… Google Image my dream cabin and Alaska. Daydreaming motivates me to be more successful. That’s my true motivation. I can’t get what I want without working really hard to get where I want to go.
What have been your biggest challenges so far with running your business?
My biggest challenge in running my business is honestly finding new business. As a virtual assistant, I find it very difficult to explain my services in the 15 seconds I have to hold the prospects attention (because I cold call from new business lists or actually go into offices with flyers). So, my current clients have all literally been referrals and not someone I met off the street or cold called from the phone book.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I am still trying to figure out the most productive use of my time in finding new clients. Hence, sharing my story with you so I may get my 15 seconds of fame. ;-)
What have you found to be the most effective way to get new clients?
Referrals and word of mouth. That’s been the only effective source of new clientele for me. I’m still figuring our the most effective ways in obtaining new clients.
What advice would you give to other business owners?
Stay positive and organized. Being organized gives you more time, more time gives you ability to do what you love, doing what you love creates happiness, and we’re all on our pursuit to happiness.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I have to be honest, sometimes I have to go and breakdown in my closet to cry away my fears. A good cry, for me, clears my head during difficult times. I allow myself a small amount of time to throw my pity-party and then I jump back on the bike and peddle as fast as I can.
What’s your favourite quote?
Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.
{Ella Wheeler Wilcox}
Who inspires you?
Amanda Thomas of Moxie Girl. She’s been my business mentor from the very beginning. She deals only with the domestic side of things but truly gave me the insight on how to run a personal assistance business. I just love her!
Do you have a business philosophy?
We believe you should work in a space organized specifically for you and your needs, allowing you to maximize your efficiency in order to ultimately spend more time doing what you’re passionate about – not the petty tasks you wish you could forget. The space you work in should fill you with a sense of harmony and peace of mind.
Get in touch…
Website: http://www.theultimatepa.net
Twitter Name: @TheUltimatePA
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Ultimate-Professional-Assistant/
