It’s also a place where Virtual Assistants themselves can find support, guidance and clients!

Visit Virtually Yours

Rosie,  what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?

Five years ago I got the idea that some businesses would not always want to hire full time administrative staff, and other businesses have admin staff who are limited in their formatting and researching skills. So I explored the idea of running a virtual venture. I quickly realised that there was an entire industry of Virtual Assistants growing throughout the world, which utilised these concepts.

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?

I think I gained confidence once I realised that there were other people out there doing this very same thing. I was lucky enough to be able to start whilst working part time, which took away some of the fear factor. After about 12 months I realised that I would need to take the plunge and leap head first into this fulltime if I wanted my business to grow, so I did what a friend of mine recommended, which was ‘feel the fear… and do it anyway!’

Where did the name for your business spring from?

Naming your business is not easy! So many names are already taken and it’s not always easy to think of something which really captures the message you want to give. I had a brainstorming session and asked a few friends, and then out of the blue I came up with Virtually Yours, which was still available in Australia, and not used for any high profile companies overseas. I was very pleased!

How is Virtually Yours unique?

Virtually Yours is unique in that it is a business that thrives on the success of other businesses within the same field. I have my own clients whom I provide web and desktop publishing support to, but my Network, Virtually Yours Virtual Assistants, is something I really enjoy running, and in it, I can see like-minded, passionate, business women (all women at this stage) working hard to achieve their business goals. It’s very inspiring.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?

Initially I didn’t have anywhere to set up my ‘office’, but a half enclosed spare room was put to the task, and was painted, (including the concrete floors), sealed, had power brought into, phone line added and then my equipment. It was great to have a new space created especially for me and my business.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?

Absolutely. I never thought that I would end up predominantly working in web design and desktop publishing. Nor did I think that my Network would attract members from overseas. I have international clients, international members and new areas of expertise. Almost every part  of the original idea has been expanded upon.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?

I actually love being able to work with other business owners. Both my clients and my network members bring me a lot of joy and a sense of accomplishment, as they grow and succeed. The flexibility to work when I am at my most productive is also a great bonus.

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?

Yes, I have informal networks which I utilise along with BNI, my local Chamber of Commerce and I am a Rotarian. Rotary is a great resource where successful business owners come together to work on community projects. The wealth of experience and knowledge that can be tapped into at Rotary is incredible. Plus it’s fun!

What are your future goals for Virtually Yours?

I am working on growing the Network further and developing partnerships with complimentary organisations, for example CoachNetwork, who can benefit my members further. I am looking forward to having over 100 Virtual Assistants on my network.

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?

Feel the fear…. And do it anyway!

]]> http://herbusinesslife.com.au/virtual-assistance-for-you-rosie-shilo/feed/ 2 http://herbusinesslife.com.au/the-culture-of-ideas-yvonne-adele/ http://herbusinesslife.com.au/the-culture-of-ideas-yvonne-adele/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:55:09 +0000 admin http://herbusinesslife.com.au/?p=941 IDEAS CULTURE brings provides a global team of 'Ideas Agents' to deliver up to 100 fresh ideas to a business - overnight! As 'Ms Megabyte', Yvonne Adele made technology accessible. Now she's promoting creativity to expand business horizons, with clients such as NAB, LJ Hooker and Microsoft. ]]>

‘Ideas Culture’  provides a global team of ‘Ideas Agents’ to deliver up to 100 fresh ideas to a business – overnight!

As ‘Ms Megabyte’, Yvonne Adele made technology accessible. Now she’s promoting creativity to expand business horizons, with clients such as NAB, LJ Hooker and Microsoft.

Yvonne, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?

Starting Ideas Culture two years ago was through necessity. Ms Megabyte was fading in popularity because technology became easier to use.

I knew I wanted to continue being a Professional Speaker so asked myself : What is the second most common thing people come to me for help with? (The first being tech!)

It was Ideas. So I researched everything I could about the idea generation / creative thinking process and realised I had a unique way of getting ideas.

But most recently, we had a boost in the business, and it was due to this idea:

Ideas While You Sleep – an overnight brainstorming service for stretched businesses that taps into a team of Ideas Agents globally.

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?

I floated the idea of ‘Ideas while you sleep’ to my Twitter network (then approx 2000, now over 4000) to see if I could get enough people registering as Ideas Agents.

I had hundreds within days. Then floated the idea with a cross section of clients who all said they would try it.

Where did the name for your business spring from?

Ideas Culture was created in 2007 after I’d been Ms Megabyte for 12 years.

I wanted a business name that encapsulated exactly what we offered. We assist businesses to build a culture of ideas.

What sets Ideas Culture apart?

We offer a fully supported foundation for idea generation via three services.

Ideas While You Sleep – we do the thinking for you. Overnight.

Ideas With You – we facilitate a brainstorm with your own team, at your office or off-site.

Ideas Via You – we act as a ‘secret weapon’, feeding you team building and brainstorming activities so you can facilitate your own team.

These are best purchased as a site license – companies pay a monthly fee and get a certain combination that works for them. Eg: 1 x Ideas While You Sleep a week; 1 x Ideas With you a month; unlimited Ideas Via You.

We lead businesses down the Path to Innovation (see graphic). You bring your business challenge and we’ll show you how to use creative thinking techniques to generate ideas, then how to find the best ones and set a plan to implement them.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?

Transitioning from what my clients and the marketplace knew of me – Ms Megabyte, the technology whizz.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?

a) leaving Ms Megabyte behind (because people just didn’t need as much help with technology as they had done previously–  the answers are easy to find on Google these days and technology isn’t as annoying)

b) With Ideas Culture, we initially started out running sessions to teach people how to run their own sessions in the workplace. But we found people just were not doing it after we left. We discovered people felt it was out of their comfort zone, so we had to come up with some less expensive ways they could use us more regularly.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?

My own hours. Working from home which I don’t think I’ll ever give up.. although I do daydream about whizzing into my office, throwing my coat in one direction, taking a clipboard from an assistant and signing something, ordering coffee, sitting down behind a huge desk in a gorgeous corner New York office… (think: Devil Wears Prada)

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?

National Speakers Association – my colleagues there have been extremely helpful and supportive during my topic change from technology to ideas.

Twitter is an endless source of support, answers and enrichment.

What are your future goals for Ideas Culture?

Continue our social media strategy to build the brand internationally. To publish a book. To systemise the Ideas While You Sleep process so it can run with as little hands-on as possible. To create regular webinars and e-learning content.

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?

You have brains in your head,

You have feet in your shoes,

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

Out there, things can happen,

And frequently do!

To people as brainy, and footsy as you.

(Dr Suess from Oh The Places You’ll Go)

Just start slowly – you’ll soon prove to yourself that you can do it. Once you build up that confidence a tiny bit, the world is your oyster.

Readers of Her Business Life can gain a 50% discount at Ideas Culture!

Just use the promotion code 50off to discover amazing new directions for your business.

Anne Maybus provides clever writing services– everything from blog babysitting to your social media setup.

Anne explains what a Clever Streak of writing can do for your business.

Anne, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?
I decided to start my business after seeing so many small businesses struggling with their writing. Most online businesses these days know that blogging and using social media such as Facebook or Twitter can give them a boost. The trouble is that any time spent writing is taking them away from the actual running of the business. Most of us can’t afford to employ someone to do the work for them so outsourcing is a logical and inexpensive way to cover all bases.
 
Where did the name for your business spring from?
I love the name ‘Clever Streak’. It gives me an impression of speed and originality. This is how I want my business to perform and it is what I want to offer my clients. I do tend to tackle things a little differently to others!

How is Clever Streak original?
The main point of difference is that we specialise in ghost blogging. We write articles, newsletters and anything that you need to have written but we focus on the social media. Ghost blogging, ghost twittering and ghost posts on Facebook can be quite time consuming (oh it is sooo easy to get caught up in Twitter!) These are small amounts of writing but they bring a great return to the business. It will save lots of time, cost only a small amount yet capture a lot of customer attention.

We try to create a package to suit each client’s individual needs and budget. Written materials are very personal, aren’t they? They should reflect your business personality and that is what we do. Each business has a different writing need so one blanket package approach just doesn’t work.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?
The hardest part was being accepted as a writer by people who knew me from me other business, which is Beauty Banquet – an online store. For some the change seemed a bit radical. Once they realised that I had been writing for years in one format or another they gradually began to accept my new role. It is funny, but most of my background is far more relevant to Clever Streak yet it was Beauty Banquet that I was known for.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?
I hadn’t anticipated the demand for e-books and e-courses. I worked for many years in Human Resource Development and that has come in very handy! I think that people come to me because I not only write the books I can lay them out so that they look great too. I am loving it! Writing e-books means that I can get stuck into some detailed writing instead of creating short bursts of words for a blog post.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?
I love working from home but most of all I just love the varied assignments that I get. One day I could be writing about fashion and the next day creating an e-course on budgets. It keeps me interested and excited about the work. I also love meeting new clients and getting to know them. There are some brilliant women out there who have created successful businesses and I am getting to know lots of them.

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?
I belong to quite a few networks and they have all helped to get me started. Business Mums Network, Business Women Unite, Australian Businesswomen’s Network and Wahmnetwork Australia are just some of the networks that I should mention. They offer advice, support, encouragement and they ask the hard questions that sometimes I don’t want to think about (but should!)

What are your future goals for Clever Streak?
I want to build my business so that I can employ others. Then we can write for more people and help them to build their businesses too. On a personal level I want to write a book and have it published. Now there is a challenge for me.

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?
Join networks! All the usual advice about doing your research and preparing a business plan before you do anything is vital. What people often don’t tell you about is the value that comes from networking. Don’t worry that you haven’t got anything to offer in return. We always feel like that in the beginning. We seem to be the one asking all the questions. That is natural and the questions you ask are helping someone who isn’t brave enough to ask them. You will find that you have plenty to offer if you just look inside yourself.

Johanna Baker-Dowdell is a writer and
public relations consultant.

Johanna tells why her mix of experience at corporate and home-business levels is great for clients– at
Strawberry Communications.

Johanna, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?
I had worked in journalism, public relations and marketing for 10 years when I had my son in 2006. I didn’t want to work full time and needed to find a way to still earn money while being a good mum. I started freelancing from home while I was pregnant and saw I could build a business from my expertise. I gradually but up a good client list until I registered my business name, Strawberry Communications, in October 2007.

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?
My father had been self-employed and I liked the freedom that option offered. The fact I could combine working from home and being a mother was definitely an exciting prospect for this ex-career girl!

Where did the name for your business spring from?
Strawberries are my favourite fruit and I wanted to combine writing and public relations in the business so I thought Communications summed those up well. I wanted a business name that stood out, rather than something to do with my name, hence Strawberry Communications was born.

How is Strawberry Communications original?
I work with a lot of business mums in the same position as me (working from home around children), as well as corporate clients. I have worked in both journalism and public relations so I can understand both sides of the media and help a client tell their story.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?
For a long time I wasn’t sure I would be able to make a success of a home business because I didn’t know if I was disciplined enough to work on my own. I still have trouble with my own company sometimes, but that is always a good excuse to call a friend or do some social networking.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?
I am often surprised at how I have a spate of PR work and then it changes to writing, rather than an even spread between the two.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?
Being able to set my own rules and times for work, being flexible enough to be able to attend an event at my son’s day care or take him swimming and not having to deal with office politics!

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?
Business Women Unite and Flying Solo have both contributed to my business success, as well as helping me to learn more about social networking.

What are your future goals for Strawberry Communications?
My main goal for the business is to not be working by the hour, but to leverage my expertise to develop products. That way the business could operate without me. I just have to come up with the products now!

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?
If you have a passion for your business you will succeed– but don’t think you can do it all alone – because no one can, or should.