I finished creating my website! I did it!
Such a seemingly small step, but it is very big with respect to my business plan. I finished my website finally- and I created it all by myself! This is actually the second business website that I have created on my own. But the 1st one was different because this time I wanted a certain "look" and "feel" that was more professional and conservative. The 1st one was for a totally different type of business so it was OK that it was more..."fun".
The web site is somewhat plain but it will suit my purposes for now.
It sure was great that I had my business plan already typed up so that I could simply refer to it for ideas on exactly how to word the text of the site.
I thought of paying someone to make my web site for me, but opted not to for a few reasons:
-Reason #1 is the cost! The lowest price was still a few hundred dollars and although I understand that I will probably end up inviting more money than that in my business, I only want to spend money where I need to.
-Reason #2 is because I'd love to offer web design as a part of my VA business service offerings. But I have to get better at it. Actually, I'm quite satisfied with my website!
My next steps will be to register my business name in my county and order business cards. Online my business cards will be very inexpensive. Oh, and I was going to get a PO Box and a cell phone and possibly a 1800#.
I'll have to double check my budget for these things. There is also a real estate assistant training class I am seriously considering taking on June 14th -15th as well as several community college classes that are offered this summer and in the fall that I want to take that will increase my skills in areas I'd like to offer services. There's even a course on virtual assistant careers! Decisions, decisions, decisions... Oh, and I need to design my contracts, etc.
I know there are a lot of organizations online that will provide training and sample contracts to me if I pay for their training class, but each one I've looked at costs several hundred to several thousand dollars. I have to choose how to spend my time and money wisely.
I just finished reading a book that was all about setting up your business with good systems so that sole-proprietors don't go crazy. It is motivating me to go slow and steady in this phase of business set up.
(I have such great kids! My 11 year old is teaching my 7 year regrouping - we used to call it carrying back in my day)
At some point, I've also got to send my computer away to be fixed-it keeps overheating.
On a reflective note, I was feeling some doubts about pursuing this career. It seems scary to me to devote so much of my time and money to a new venture-especially when I have a business that provided decent income now - although I don't care for the restrictions the other business places on me. I am back to feeling somewhat motivated to push forward with my plan because of the different lifestyle I'll have. I'll truly have the best of many worlds-with regard to work-family balance.
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