Q. |
When
did you go into business for yourself? |
A. |
I
started out as “Highway Secretarial Services”
in April 2004 and after a few months I changed my
company name to “Virtual Office SA”. |
Q. |
Why
did you decide to go into virtual assisting? |
A. |
My
husband became very ill, so I decided to start my
own business should my husband not be able to work
one day and we could still provide for each family
members needs. |
Q. |
What
is your background in your field of expertise? |
A. |
11
years experience |
Q. |
Did
you research the industry before launching your
business? |
A. |
Yes.
Many, many hours have been spent on the internet
researching. |
Q. |
What
do you enjoy the most about being self-employed?
|
A. |
The
extra time available to spend with my beautiful
daughter. |
Q. |
What
do you enjoy the least about being self-employed?
|
A. |
Sometimes
I feel like work never leaves me. |
Q. |
Do
you have employees? If so, do you have any positions
open, including subcontracting opportunities? If
so, how would someone inquire? |
A. |
An
assistant comes in 3 days a week to assist with
basic office functions. If business continues to
grow I would like to employ her assistance full
time. |
Q. |
Do
you have family members that help you out with your
business (including pets that may sleep in your
lap or on your keyboard while you attempt to type)?
|
A. |
“Snowy”
is my beautiful cat that sits on my lap most of
the time during the day. Some days I am lucky enough
to get threats.... a worm, lizard, etc. If she feels
unloved, she will jump onto the desk, curl into
a little ball and lies on the keyboard or paperwork
purring for affection. She is “Snowy - The
Office Cat” and she is first in the office
in the morning and the last to leave ;-). |
Q. |
What
is your specialty or niche, if any? |
A. |
Professional
Call Handling / Phone Answering Services. I have
invested ±R40 000 in the very best technology.
This system gives me the technological advantage
to offer companies / individuals throughout the
world. |
Q. |
Do
you have any client testimonials you would like
to share with us? |
A. |
I
have enjoyed working with people who are professional
and ethical.
Teni
– Waterfront Conferences (New Zealand)
As the governing body of Virtual Assistants
South Africa, we expect professionalism, excellence
and integrity from our members. Penni embodies
these key characteristics and more. Penni heads
up our committee in KwaZulu Natal and I recognize
her as a leader of Virtual Assistant in South
Africa.
Bronwen
– The Papillon Network (South Africa)
My work is completed on time is neat and accurate
and above all is very reasonably priced. Who could
ask for more? I highly recommend her services.
Ron
– Executive Search (South Africa). |
Q. |
Why
should I hire you as my VA? |
A. |
“Our
aim is to be an extension of your business, not
a messaging service”. |
Q. |
Who
would be your ideal client? |
A. |
Companies
/ Individuals looking for a way to expand their
business into the South African market. |
Q. |
What
are the long term goals you have for your business?
(i.e., do you intend to expand, focus on a specific
niche, branch out to more countries, partner with
other VAs, etc.) |
A. |
The
Best Professional Call Handling Service in South
Africa! |
Q. |
Is
your office in your home or do you rent space? |
A. |
I
work from home. |
Q. |
Do you find it hard to stay focused if working from
home? Is your office completely separate from living
spaces? |
A. |
I
do not have a problem staying focused when I am
working. |
Q. |
It
is well known that though working from home can
be very rewarding and flexible, it also has some
serious stress-inducing capabilities, such as a
tendency to work far more than your general business
hours due to the close availability of your office
and eagerness to please clients. Has this presented
a problem for you? If so, how have you handled it?
|
A. |
One
of my JHB clients deals with urgent tender documents
and sometimes I am required to work late into the
evening. This can become a problem if we have made
plans as a family, but I gently remind my clients
that I am not only a hard working woman, but also
a devoted mom and a loving wife. |
Q. |
If
you had to give advice to someone wanting to start
a virtual business, what would that be and why?
|
A. |
a)
Never quit your full time job until your Virtual
Business in up and running. The financial strain
of starting up a new business can become overwhelming.
b) Research into your services that you will provide
you clients is vital. Ensure you can offer the
services that are in demand.
|
|
For further information, please
feel free to contact Penni:
|
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