Starting your new VA business, as with any other new business venture, can seem like a big step to make. It’s understandable that you’ll question how ready you really are, before you take any action. However, if you’re looking for a cast iron ‘you’re ready now’ criteria to confirm your readiness, before you start your VA business – you could be waiting a long time!
You see, everyone is different. No two VA journeys are identical and the steps you take to get started will be different to the ones I took when I started out. But what I can tell you is this – there are three things you need to do, before you take the plunge, and they are as follows.
#1: Make the decision
You need to make a definite decision. Having ‘start my VA business’ on your wish list isn’t making a decision. If however, you’ve broken down the steps you need to take to make it happen, and you’ve turned them into individual goals, projects and tasks, then given yourself a timescale to achieve the first one – that is!
#2: Do your due diligence before you start your VA business
This is all about knowing what’s involved in being a VA, along with the things you need to get started. Do you know whether you’re starting out as a Sole Trader or Limited Company? Have you looked into how you’re going to get clients, as well as what you need to do to register as a business etc? What registrations you need to do? How much you should charge? Where you will find your clients? Knowing these things before you get started will help you ensure you’re starting on the right foot, when you do take the plunge.
#3: Take off the rose-tinted glasses
It’s easy to see working for yourself as the simple solution to financial and work-related issues we may currently have in paid employment. And, for many of us, it is.
However, working for yourself is also hard work. You need to be disciplined with your time, organised in your working patterns, and determined to make it work for you. This means allocating time for professional development, marketing, sales and networking, as well as client work.
The reality is, you may never feel ready to start your VA business. However, if it’s something you want to do, you have to take that plunge anyway. All you can do is ensure you’ve covered the basics, prepared yourself as best you can and take that step – regardless of how ready you do or don’t feel!
The beauty of having your own business is the wealth of training and support that is open to you. I’d strongly advise you surround yourself with a strong support network – whether that’s your friends and family, other VAs or a VA mentor, before you start your VA business. Why not check out the available training and support options we have here at VACT? Our VA Mastery Course is our primary training course and includes lots of additional support. You should also check out some of the testimonials of those who have gone before you here.