While lunching with a friend and fellow VA today (amazing how much happens around lunch!), she suggested I blog an ode to my 18 year old car, which will be retired as of tomorrow.  She’s been a good old trooper, from brand spanking new to clunker.  (BTW, I’m referring to my car, not my friend.)

So with a heavy heart, I bid goodbye to my loyal 4-wheel friend.  She’s taken me around the USA and around town, with hardly a breakdown or worry.  Yes, she burns hot stinky oil, and the A/C hasn’t worked for years, and the radio is pre-digital and plays more static than music, and the hatchback has been stuck for years, and the foam is coming out of the seats, but she and I know each other.  We can predict each other’s moves and nuances.    So I say goodbye my old friend, as I welcome my new purple friend into my garage.

Networking is so powerful!  I had lunch with a friend earlier in the week.  We hadn’t seen each other for a few years and it was great to catch up.  We had lunch a few doors down from a former employer of mine.  I bumped into two former colleagues – always fun to catch up!

One of them said that her cousin’s friend’s husband just started a business and might need a Virtual Assistant.   The other former colleague said he would keep an eye out for anyone that might need my services.  He does a lot of volunteer work and interacts with lots of people.

So…from one delicious lunch with an old friend I might have some good referrals!  And it doesn’t necessarily need to turn into a client relationship to be a good relationship.  I’d say that was a well-spent lunch hour!

I can’t believe that 2009 is almost history.  It seems like I just started my business yesterday.  What a long, strange trip it’s been. 

I’m now officially a graduate of AssistU.  The VTP and final exam was a life-changing experience.  I was a student for the first time in nearly 25 years.  I learned so much about being a small business owner, about Virtual Assistance, and about myself.  Now it’s time for me to get out there and network!  True networking means giving without expectation of receiving.  Giving just for the joy of it.  I like that a lot.  It feels good to give!  I also look forward to being a strong advocate for my clients.  It’s all about the relationship.

Speaking of relationships, I was talking to my mother the other day.  She worked as an administrative professional for about 40 years before retiring.  I remember visiting her at work when I was a child – the switchboard with the wires that would get plugged in, the 8″ floppies that would hold 25 pages of data (we thought that was so cool!), routing messages on “while you were out” slips…technology has changed so much!

Nonetheless, what hasn’t changed and will probably never change is the human connection and what we can learn from each other.  I learned so much from my mother when I was younger, and now she’s looking at my collateral materials for me.  I can’t wait to hear her feedback; she’s one of the sharpest women I’ve ever known.  Go Ma!

It’s been a few months since I’ve blogged last.  Where does the time go?  In my case, it’s going to the VTP.  That’s the Virtual Training Program at AssistU.  I’m in week 12 and I’ve learned so much about being a Virtual Assistant, about being a business owner, and about myself as a person.  AssistU is more in-depth than I could ever have imagined.  I’m having the time of my life going through the program.  I know that when I complete the program I’ll be ready to be a top-notch VA.   What a great benefit to my clients!

Meanwhile, summer is almost over.  So far it’s been a great summer for me, and I hope it’s been a fun summer for you also.   Have fun, stay healthy, and live your life!

What a busy couple of weeks!  I’ve officially become an LLC.  That was empowering; it’s starting to feel like my business is more “official” every day.  My client base is getting there…of course, I’m always looking to partner with new clients.  That’s one of the most enjoyable things about managing the business; meeting new people and learning about their business – and most importantly – providing solutions.  My clients enjoy having more time to focus on growing their business and focusing on what they do best.  They’ve commented to me that it’s a great feeling to be able to hand off their tasks and not have to worry about them any more!

Meanwhile, it’s finally springtime in Minnesota, and I’m enjoying working outdoors with my iced tea and music.  Technology is great; we can be connected no matter where we are!  

Things are moving so quickly at Urban Admin – and I couldn’t be happier.  Last week I found out I have been accepted at AssistU!  They are the premier VTP (Virtual Training Program) and they accept less than half of their applicants.  I’m honored and flattered that the Admissions Committee considers me to be a strong candidate for their program.  I start in May and the program runs for 20 weeks.  Their program is amazing – check them out at www.assistu.com for more information. 

I’ve put aside the PowerPoint project I mentioned below – the client and I agreed that cleaning up her database is Priority One.  The database is currently in Excel and I’m going to migrate it to Access.  There’s nothing like running a quick query to get the information you need!  I enjoy being able to work with my clients in partnership; it helps us both target their immediate needs versus the projects that can take a backseat (for now).   I’m enjoying managing my business, working with my clients, and learning new things every day.  Life is good!