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 Editor's
Notes
Welcome to our very first issue of Alternative Business Solutions,
Amy's Office Newsletter! I hope you will find it something you
will enjoy reading and will refer to it when you need a reference
or for whatever reason.
I can’t believe it is already the beginning of August. The
summer months always fly by so quickly. Before we know it, the
kids will all be back in school.
I hope everyone made the most of their summer and enjoyed the
time with their children. I know I sure did. My children are
Sydney, age 4, Charlie, age 6, Eric, age 14, and Ashley, age
19. Ashley lives 4 hours from me now but I still keep in close
contact with her, thanks to today’s wonderful technology. Eric
has been spending his summer at his grandparents’ farm. That
leaves Charlie and Sydney to spend their summer with me. Charlie
played T-Ball and Sydney wished she could play too.
I spent the rest of my time on my Virtual Assistant business.
There are many new and exciting things happening for Amy’s Office
this year. Keep reading to learn more.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Amy Goble
Amy L. Goble, VA
President/Owner
http://www.amysoffice.net
Email: yourva@amysoffice.net
What's
New?
 We
have all sorts of new things to report.
First of all, Amy’s Office is celebrating 5 years in business
this year.
Amy’s Office has recently relocated from Minot, North Dakota
to Glendive, Montana.
A new website was launched in honor of the relocation and 5 successful
years in business.
Most recently, Amy was profiled at Idea Cafe.com. Be sure
to visit Idea
Café to see what they had to say about Amy.
There are many new and exciting things happening at Amy’s
Office, including a VA Directory, Forum, Blog, and VA Chat.
Be sure to take advantage of all or at least some of these things.
It will be worth your time!
 Top
10 Work-at-Home Start-up Tips
by Susan Hutson*
I was recently asked by a newspaper reporter to share with him
some tips on working from home. I gave it some thought, drew from
my many years of helping women make their home business dreams
a reality, and came up with my “Top 10” list.
Now, I’m not going to tell you that this is everything you need
to know – it’s not. However, if you incorporate the following ten
items into your home business plans, you will avoid many of the
roadblocks that plague new businesses.
1. Do what you love!
You are going to have to face your business everyday, make it
something that brings you joy. Many new businesses fail simply
from lack of interest and frustration on the part of the owner.
If you are deathly afraid of dogs, please, no matter how desperate
your town is, don’t open a boarding kennel!
2. Have a plan.
Don't let a business plan scare you; it can be as simple as
numbered notes to yourself. But whatever form your business plan
takes, write one now! It keeps you focused and on track. Also,
remember that a Business Plan is a "work in progress."
As you learn and grow, your plan will grow with your business.
Bizymoms.com has a nice how-to on writing a business plan. http://www.bizymoms.com/cart/contest/freebies/Biz_Plan_Article.pdf
3. Get your family on board.
This isn't always easy, but a supportive family can become your
best marketing team.
4. Don't pay for anything until you have to.
Make a list of wants and needs. Prioritize, set goals. Yes,
a new laser printer would be nice, but do you really need one?
Could you make a deal to borrow Aunt Ester's once a week instead?
5. Market, Market, Market...
You are the best advertisement your business will ever have.
Be Proud! Talk about it!
6. Don't pay for advertising when you can avoid it.
There are so many ways to market your business for free. Utilize
those methods first. Article marketing, word of mouth, business
cards, free samples, using your products as gifts and starting
an email newsletter are just a few ways to market your business
on a very small budget. Another must is writing press releases
often. Bizymoms.com also has a great press release template for
you to follow. http://www.bizymoms.com/cart/contest/freebies/Press_Release_Template.pdf
7. Avoid Scams!
“If it sounds too good, it probably is…” This has never been
more true than with home business. Do you homework; don’t pay for
anything without a written contract. Check companies out with the
BBB and other agencies before you commit. You can refer to the
scams page on Bizymoms.com for links and information on reporting
scams.
8. Treat your Business like a Business
Organize. It’s not “hit and miss.” Schedule meetings, plan working
hours, organize files. Show all your business contacts and customers
just how professional you are.
9. Network
Work with other home and small businesses to market and grow
your business. Join your local Chamber of Commerce. Make “meeting
and greeting” people a number one priority.
10. Have some fun!
You started this business for a reason. So jump in with both
feet and enjoy the rewards of your decision.
*Susan Hutson is Community Director for Bizymoms.com. Bizymoms
lives by their motto, “You can have it all!” and everyone there
knows that sometimes, all a woman needs to make her business
dreams come true are the right resources and a strong cheering
section! No one believes this more than Susan does. She spends
her days in sunny Florida juggling a home, family and helping
women build their dream business with help from Bizymoms.com.
Business
Links Worth Checking Out...
 • U.S.
Small Business Administration offers small business support.
• Score is
a Resource Partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Women's
Business Centers (WBC) are directed exclusively to women
entrepreneurs.
• Virtual
Assistance U - Global Leader For Virtual Assistant Training
• Virtual
Business Training – Virtual Assistant Training
• AssistU -
Virtual Assistants Training
• Virtual
Assistant Certification - VACertification.com
• VA
Conference - Held annually. Visit the website for more information
on location and agenda. A conference worth attending!
• Work
At Home Business - Bizymoms.com is a leading resource site
for moms who want to start a work at home business.
• Copyscape -
Defend your site with a plagiarism warning banner!
• Virtual
Assistant Directory - Listing of virtual assistants from
around the world.
Dates
to Remember
 •
August 22nd — Glendive Public Schools resume classes
• September 5th — Labor Day
• September 11th — Grandparents’ Day
Be sure to visit our Online
Calendar for upcoming chats or events with regard to the
Virtual Assistant Industry. If there is something you would
like to add to our calendar, please email Amy at yourva@amysoffice.net.
Spotlight
Business
 This
Issue’s Spotlight Business is My Doula Stacia.
Stacia Hemmes is the owner of My Doula Stacia, located in
Granger, Indiana. Stacia began working as a Doula in 1996.
Stacia is a Birth Doula which is a woman experienced in childbirth
who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informative
support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.
Stacia was first certified with DONA (Doulas of North America)
back in 1996 and recently recertified in 2007. Stacia’s first
Doula job was in Dayton, Ohio where she worked at Kettering Medical
Center as a Staff Doula. From there she and her family moved
to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she also taught Baby Basic classes
at Lovelace Medical Center as well as her Doula work.
Stacia has helped mothers with natural births, VBACS, epidurals,
C-Sections and adoptions.
Stacia married her husband Jeff in 1989. Jeff is an Officer in
the USAF. They have 4 wonderful children, ages 15, 12, 7 and
4. She homeschools 3 of them and it works very well with her
Doula work.
When asked why she chose to be a Doula, she stated, “I had
such regret about the lack of support and education during my
first two births that I wanted to make sure other mothers felt
like their births were supported and prepared for.”
Congratulations Stacia for being our very first Spotlight
Business! Wishing you much continued success.
To learn more about My Doula Stacia, visit her website at http://mydoulastacia.com.
For more information, contact Stacia via email at email@mydoulastacia.com or
call her at (574) 254-1852.
To nominate a business (or individual) for this honor, please
email Amy at yourva@amysoffice.net and
remember to explain why you feel they should be nominated for
this honor.
Here’s what Stacia had to say about Amy’s Office:
“I cannot say enough about how Amy’s Office has helped my business.
Her website is constantly being praised for it’s professionalism.
My clients tell me how much they love the design and ease of
use. Amy’s Office knows just what to do to make a website perform
and receive the hits necessary to boost it’s clients. I can’t
begin to thank Amy’s Office enough for her fabulous work she
did designing and tweaking my website for me. She is always on
top of any changes I need to make and is always enthusiastic
about new ideas for it’s continued progress!”
— Stacia Hemmes
My
Doula Stacia
Business.gov guides you through the maze of government rules
and regulations and provides access to services and resources
to help you start, grow, and succeed in business.
• Court
Rulings This page provides links to various federal, state and private
sites that provide legal information for the small business owner.
The mission of the OSDBU is to provide maximum opportunities
for small businesses to participate in USDA contracting activities
by establishing and attaining small disadvantaged business program
goals.
The Commerce Department’s mission is to create the conditions
for economic growth and opportunity by promoting innovation,
entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and stewardship.
• Department
of Education OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's
workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training,
outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging
continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
• Department
of the Treasury The mission of the Department of the Treasury is to promote
the conditions for prosperity and stability in the United States
and encourage prosperity and stability in the rest of the world.
• Environmental
Protection Agency The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment--air,
water, and land--upon which life depends.
• GobiernoUSA.gov El portal oficial en español del Gobierno de los EE. UU (The
U.S. government's official Spanish-language web portal).
• Small
Business Administration The mission of the SBA is to maintain and to strengthen the
nation’s economy by enabling the establishment and viability
of small businesses and by assisting in the economic recovery
of communities after disasters.
• Social
Security Administration The Social Security Administration is the nation's primary
income security agency. It pays retirement, disability and survivors
benefits to workers and their families, administers the Supplemental
Security Income program, and issues Social Security numbers.
• State
and Local Contacts The State and Local Government on the Net directory provides
convenient one-stop access to the Web sites of thousands of state
agencies and city and county governments.
• State
Links A collection of links to State government Web sites with useful
information for businesses. Whether you're already in business,
just starting, or expanding to a new state - there's something
here for you!
• U.S.
Census Bureau U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border
agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• U.S.
Department of Labor The Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws
including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful
working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom
from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other
income support.
• U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission The mission of the EEOC is to eradicate employment discrimination
at the workplace.
• U.S.
Tax Court Congress created the Tax Court to provide a judicial forum
in which affected persons could dispute tax deficiencies determined
by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue prior to payment of the
disputed amounts.
• USA.gov
The U.S. government's official web portal.
Nominate a VA
This Issue’s Spotlight VA is Laura Leites,
owner of WorkStation Business Support. She is
located in Mount Kisco, New York.
Laura began working as a Virtual Assistant two years ago.
Laura has a background in sales and marketing which allows her
to help her clients execute their marketing strategies.She specializes
in working with solo professionals including consultants, financial
advisors and speakers.
When asked why she chose to be a VA, she stated, “I enjoy
contributing to the success of my clients’ businesses, and you
can’t beat the flexibility for work/life balance!”
Congratulations Laura for being our very first Spotlight VA!
Wishing you much continued success.
If you know of a VA who is an outstanding Virtual Assistant
or a Virtual Assistant who has achieved a special recognition
or has recently celebrated a special moment in their career as
a Virtual Assistant, be sure to nominate them so we can spotlight
them here.
Amy's Office celebrates 5 years in business with a new
location and a new website.
 Glendive,
Montana – July 16, 2007 - Many small businesses fail within
the first five years. According to a recent study done by the
Small Business Administration, two-thirds of new employer establishments
survive at least two years, and 44 percent survive at least
four years. Amy L. Goble, Virtual Assistant and entrepreneur
has successfully reached the five yearmilestone.
Goble launched her Virtual Assistant practice, Amy's Office
(http://amysoffice.net), in Minot, North Dakota, on February
1, 2002. When Goble began working as a Virtual Assistant, she
was a military spouse and stay at home mom. With 15 years of
administrative and legal assistant experience, she wanted something
more. Working from home as a Virtual Assistant would allow her
to be there for her family when they need her most and to be
a successful Virtual Assistant at the same time.
Virtual Assistants (VA’s), from their home based office, provide
administrative office support for entrepreneurs, small business
owners, and busy individuals. Kelly Poelker, Master Virtual Assistant
and President of Another
8 Hours, Inc., in her article, HELP!
I'm Buried and I Can't See My Clients, states, "A VA is like having
your own business partner, business support specialist, personal
assistant, executive assistant, appointment scheduler, client
relations manager, marketing consultant, web designer, word processor,
concierge, or whatever role you need them to play. They use the
latest technology to communicate work assignments via the Internet,
e-mail, web-based calendars, virtual networks, and disk transfer.”
Amy's Office recently relocated from Minot, ND, to Glendive,
MT. When Goble’s husband retired from the military, his career
took a new direction and lead them both to Glendive, Montana,
at the very same time marking Goble’s 5th year in business.
In honor of 5 successful years in business and a new location,
Amy's Office has launched a new website. The release of the new
website is indicative of Amy's Office and it's commitment as
an alternative business solution by providing the best possible
service and saving clients both time and money.
Some of the services offered by Amy's Office are custom letters,
desktop publishing, word processing, internet research, resume
services and graphic/website design.
Alternative
Business Solutions
Amy’s Office provides administrative support, resume services,
desktop publishing services, web design services and much more.
Amy’s Office opened for business 5 years ago in Minot, North
Dakota, on February 1, 2002.
Amy’s Office relocated to Glendive, Montana in April 2007.
We are celebrating 5 years in business this year with the
launch of our new website and a new location.
If you have any questions about what we do or about our newsletter,
yourva@amysoffice.net.
We Want to
Hear From You!
What do you like about the newsletter? What would you like
to see changed? Do the fonts read well?Do the articles meet
your needs? Do you feel that the newsletter is helpful for
you and your business? What would you like to see more of?
Send your comments to yourva@amysoffice.net.
Send us your article ideas, tips, links, press releases, special
events or whatever comes to mind. We are always open to new ideas
and suggestions for our newsletter. Email us at yourva@amysoffice.net
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