Lesson 2: Being a VA is not for everyone – and not everyone can be a VA!
Just because you can type doesn’t mean you can run a successful transcription business. Just because you know your way around WordPress doesn’t mean you’ll have a successful web design business. Just because you were a PA or secretary doesn’t necessarily mean you can run a business.
It takes a certain type of person with a certain set of skills to be successful.
First and foremost is you must have a business owner mentality and not an employee mentality. Not everyone can do this especially if you’ve never run a business or been the boss before. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and get a business management degree or a certificate in business administration. But you are going to need some basic traits: an ability to self-motivate, manage your time effectively, and be focused.
As tempting as it might be to lounge around the house or get chores done or hang out with your friends, you need to remember you are a business and as such you need to act like you’re going out to work – even though “out” might only be to the next room.
Kathie Thomas a veteran VA of close to 30 years has written a great blog about this very topic and I recommend if you are considering this business, have a read of this first.