Interview With Sharon Williams
Hi, everyone
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Sharon Williams, the president of 24 Hour Secretary, an administrative, secretarial and internet-based marketing support services company.
Thanks so much for hosting today’s blog tour stop. I’ve always enjoyed your informative posts on forums we mutually participate on and look forward to hearing your presentation on SEO at the upcoming OIVAC. Right now, however, let’s chat a bit about the VA industry.
1. Sharon, could you please tell us about the background of the VA industry. How did the industry get started?
The industry is an outgrowth of an era (1980s) when it was unpopular and considered an embarrassing circumstance to work from home. Then, women performed typing, mailing and other secretarial-related duties to supplement the household income. Fast forward to the 1990s when the economy shifted, downsizing appeared to be a daily corporate occurrence, and women with training and experience but often little seniority were dismissed from their positions. Many used their corporate-honed skills and started secretarial services, as it was a then innovative alternative to unemployment. In 1997, Mr. Thomas Leonard, then president and visionary of Coach U, planned on taking a sabbatical, in his RV, and wanted someone to run his life for him while he was away. It is documented that Stacy Brice assumed these responsibilities and he called her his “virtual assistant”. Stacy entered the Coach Training Program at Coach U and began to, concurrently, coach women to live authentic lives, and assist others virtually, and as they say, the rest is history. Visit AssistU for more details.
2. Why did you decide to become a virtual assistant?
Almost two decades ago, I was downsized from my job and as a result started a business consulting business. I soon discovered my clients needed services in addition to business plan related assistance, as they were unfamiliar with handling the back office duties necessary to efficiently run and properly document their businesses. Based on client input, I added administrative support services to my portfolio, and allowed customers to visit my office during evening hours (which was literally unheard of at the time). The word spread rapidly about my capabilities and flexible work hours, and my client base grew exponentially, with most requesting administrative support services. As I realized the financial possibilities, I combined my offerings and marketing abilities to form The 24 Hour Secretary, a company that continues to specialize in administrative, marketing and internet-based support services 24/7.
3. Please tell us how working with a VA can help solopreneurs become more successful.
There are many ways working with a VA can help solopreneurs become more successful. Recently, I wrote a white paper entitled A Virtual Solution for Business Growth, Stability and Profitability, which introduces solopreneurs, independent professionals, entrepreneurs and even corporations to the virtual assistant industry and how VAs can help them become and remain successful.
4. Can you tell us what kind of tasks solopreneurs can outsource to their VA?
This question has many, many answers. Some contingent upon the industry VAs offer specialized or niche services to; others based on if the VA is offers a unique menu of services that can be utilized by any industry, and then, of course, generalist services categories traditional admin support without restriction or niche. The Alliance for Virtual Business, the information portal to the VA industry, has developed an informative breakdown, by industry, of services VAs offer. In addition, 101 Ways to Use a VA a downloadable pdf contains a detailed itemization of tasks that can be outsourced to VAs. Please visit the Alliance or download the 101 Ways pdf for a comprehensive report containing an extensive list of tasks readers can delegate to a virtual assistant.
5. I know you have the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention coming up. Please tell us more about it.
The 2nd annual OIVAC will be held May 17-19, 2007 from a desktop or laptop computer near you. This weekend event provides information useful for entrepreneurs seeking advice from 27 small business and virtual assistant expert presenters, covering topics ranging from SEO, business ethics, negotiating contracts, subcontracting, developing media relationships, branding, networking and much, much more.
Friday, May 18th is International Virtual Assistants Day, the official commemoration of the Dedication, Experience, Expertise and Determination to Succeed (DEEDS) of professionals providing administrative and other business support services, virtually. This celebration will recognize the contributions VAs have made to the industry and the business community, worldwide.
We are proud to announce that Ms. Fran Capo listed in the Guinness Book Worlds Records as the Fastest Talking Female, a world record holder, comedienne, keynote speaker and writer specializing in humor, publicity and motivation will be our celebration keynote speaker.
The convention is priced to fit an entrepreneur’s budget, starting at $25 per seminar, and all the networking, exhibit halls and workshops are free and open to the public. Visit OIVAC for details on ways to participate in the commemoration.
Yesterday I visited Crystal Pina at Visions Virtual Assistance and tomorrow I stop by my favorite buddy, Andrea Cannavina’s LegalTypist’s BYOB Lectures, another show where you have to tune in to get the scrambled puzzle clue. In the meantime, your clue is (#23) urtpcdos.
About Sharon Williams: Sharon is the Chairperson of the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and OIVAC, and president of The 24 Hour Secretary an administrative, secretarial and internet-based marketing support services company. She is the 2006 recipient of the Thomas Leonard International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award and co-founder of Virtual Business University an e-learning environment for entrepreneurs willing to step towards their greatness.