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Virtual assistants, real opportunities
Skilled professionals drawn to Cybertary
As a financial executive for a large engineering firm, Patricia Beckman had it all in 2004 — the impressive job, the big paycheck and the collection of business suits. Her two daughters didn’t care. All they knew was that mom was gone most of the time.
Leita Cowart, Special Raymond Gordon started his own virtual assistant business as a Cybertary franchise owner.
“When my company offered me a promotion that would mean even more travel, my husband and I took a vacation to Hawaii. After several days, I decompressed and realized that I didn’t want the promotion. I didn’t even want the job I had. I wanted to be with my kids,” she said.
Beckman resigned and began researching ideas to start a company.
“When I hit on a description of virtual assistants, the light bulb came on,” she said. Nine months later, in 2005, she launched Cybertary from her home in Sacramento, Calif.
She describes Cybertary as a highly skilled professional working as a virtual assistant to provide administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives and busy people. Her plan was to provide services to seven or eight clients, but the first week she signed five clients and business continued to grow rapidly.
“Thirty days later I was introduced on ‘Good Day Sacramento’ as ‘the expert’ on virtual assisting,” she said. Beckman has since franchised the business and provides assistance to 24 Cybertary franchisees in 15 states.
Virtual assisting is growing because companies are looking for ways to streamline, cut employee costs, and decrease office overhead, according to Cindy Opong, owner of Creative Assistants in Colorado Springs, Colo., and past-president of the International Virtual Assistants Association. Paying hourly for professional services as needed rather than hiring a full-time employee is cost effective and efficient, especially for small companies.
“Companies are outsourcing a lot more work, and that’s good for our industry,” Opong said. “I know a lot of VA’s whose business is booming.”
At the same time, more displaced workers are turning to self-employment in an economy offering few jobs.
“Virtual assisting is a good option for moms with skills who want to stay home with their children, caregivers of elderly family members, or disabled workers,” Beckman said. “We’re seeing an increase in the number of applicants, and they have high-quality skills.”
Belinda Allen had been an administrative assistant for 25 years when her last company eliminated her position due to downsizing.
“I would send resumes out every day and get no response,” said Allen. Then at a Smyrna Small Business Association meeting, someone gave her a card for Cybertary Alpharetta. She interviewed with franchise owner, Bhuvana Krishnan, who appreciated her skills and work experience.
“I’ve done two projects for her so far. The work is enjoyable and varied, and I have the benefits of working without having to fight Atlanta traffic,” said Allen. As an independent contractor, she’s free to continue her search for full-time work, while keeping her skills sharp.
“Cybertary has made a huge difference from a financial and an emotional standpoint,” said Allen.
Raymond Gordon, who is experienced in information technology, business analysis and process improvement, was tired of seeing his job disappear when companies were sold, merged or downsized. As a single father, he was also looking for a more flexible schedule. In 2009, he started his own business.
“I wanted to be my own boss, but I decided to pursue franchising because I thought I might need some help. Statistics show that franchising is often a more successful route to business ownership,” said Gordon, owner of Cybertary Atlanta in Chamblee.
He has found Cybertary to be a good fit and Atlanta a great market for virtual assisting.
“Finding good consultants and contractors isn’t difficult in this economic climate and I believe the industry will continue to grow,” said Gordon. “We appeal to clients that need certain types of expertise but can’t afford full-time help. If I don’t have a member with the skills needed, I can tap into our company’s national database of providers. We’re a one-stop shop, which allows me to build long-term relationships with my clients. As their needs change, I can continue to meet them.”
As awareness of virtual assisting has grown, more people are taking their skills home to start a business, said Opong.
“I tell them that it will take time to build a client base and match their former income,” she said, “but there are so many more resources out there now to help people get started.”
*article source, AJC Jobs by Laura Raines http://www.ajc.com/jobs/virtual-assistants-real-opportunities-619816.html
For AJC Jobs
As a financial executive for a large engineering firm, Patricia Beckman had it all in 2004 — the impressive job, the big paycheck and the collection of business suits. Her two daughters didn’t care. All they knew was that mom was gone most of the time.
Leita Cowart, Special Raymond Gordon started his own virtual assistant business as a Cybertary franchise owner.
“When my company offered me a promotion that would mean even more travel, my husband and I took a vacation to Hawaii. After several days, I decompressed and realized that I didn’t want the promotion. I didn’t even want the job I had. I wanted to be with my kids,” she said.
Beckman resigned and began researching ideas to start a company.
“When I hit on a description of virtual assistants, the light bulb came on,” she said. Nine months later, in 2005, she launched Cybertary from her home in Sacramento, Calif.
She describes Cybertary as a highly skilled professional working as a virtual assistant to provide administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives and busy people. Her plan was to provide services to seven or eight clients, but the first week she signed five clients and business continued to grow rapidly.
“Thirty days later I was introduced on ‘Good Day Sacramento’ as ‘the expert’ on virtual assisting,” she said. Beckman has since franchised the business and provides assistance to 24 Cybertary franchisees in 15 states.
Virtual assisting is growing because companies are looking for ways to streamline, cut employee costs, and decrease office overhead, according to Cindy Opong, owner of Creative Assistants in Colorado Springs, Colo., and past-president of the International Virtual Assistants Association. Paying hourly for professional services as needed rather than hiring a full-time employee is cost effective and efficient, especially for small companies.
“Companies are outsourcing a lot more work, and that’s good for our industry,” Opong said. “I know a lot of VA’s whose business is booming.”
At the same time, more displaced workers are turning to self-employment in an economy offering few jobs.
“Virtual assisting is a good option for moms with skills who want to stay home with their children, caregivers of elderly family members, or disabled workers,” Beckman said. “We’re seeing an increase in the number of applicants, and they have high-quality skills.”
Belinda Allen had been an administrative assistant for 25 years when her last company eliminated her position due to downsizing.
“I would send resumes out every day and get no response,” said Allen. Then at a Smyrna Small Business Association meeting, someone gave her a card for Cybertary Alpharetta. She interviewed with franchise owner, Bhuvana Krishnan, who appreciated her skills and work experience.
“I’ve done two projects for her so far. The work is enjoyable and varied, and I have the benefits of working without having to fight Atlanta traffic,” said Allen. As an independent contractor, she’s free to continue her search for full-time work, while keeping her skills sharp.
“Cybertary has made a huge difference from a financial and an emotional standpoint,” said Allen.
Raymond Gordon, who is experienced in information technology, business analysis and process improvement, was tired of seeing his job disappear when companies were sold, merged or downsized. As a single father, he was also looking for a more flexible schedule. In 2009, he started his own business.
“I wanted to be my own boss, but I decided to pursue franchising because I thought I might need some help. Statistics show that franchising is often a more successful route to business ownership,” said Gordon, owner of Cybertary Atlanta in Chamblee.
He has found Cybertary to be a good fit and Atlanta a great market for virtual assisting.
“Finding good consultants and contractors isn’t difficult in this economic climate and I believe the industry will continue to grow,” said Gordon. “We appeal to clients that need certain types of expertise but can’t afford full-time help. If I don’t have a member with the skills needed, I can tap into our company’s national database of providers. We’re a one-stop shop, which allows me to build long-term relationships with my clients. As their needs change, I can continue to meet them.”
As awareness of virtual assisting has grown, more people are taking their skills home to start a business, said Opong.
“I tell them that it will take time to build a client base and match their former income,” she said, “but there are so many more resources out there now to help people get started.”
*article source, AJC Jobs by Laura Raines http://www.ajc.com/jobs/virtual-assistants-real-opportunities-619816.html
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