My full-time corporate job was killing me, literally.
I was a property manager before I started my own business as a Virtual Assistant. I was managing a 15 story, 186 unit luxury, high rise condominium. To say the job was stressful is an understatement. I worked long hours, I worked weekends and I was on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. My job role was to take care of the building, schedule with vendors, supervise the maintenance staff, keep the residents happy, keep track of the financials, assist the board members and prepare for weekly board meetings. I was also a Realtor for buyers and sellers in the building. I had no assistant.
I realized I needed a change when I asked to take two hours off on a Saturday and I was denied. It was my daughter's last basketball game of the season. I had missed all of the other games and I promised her I would be at that one. It broke my heart and enraged me that I had to tell her I couldn't make it to that game either. I had enough. I was losing sleep, not eating right, missing out on time with my family and I had developed an eye twitch from all the stress!
I knew it was time to move on
I started researching work at home jobs. I ran across countless scams or jobs that paid very little. I would still be working for someone else and I didn't want that. I wanted to work at home as my own boss, but that meant starting a business which I thought would cost a lot of money (or so I thought!). I was about to give up my search when I ran across an article about becoming a virtual assistant. I had never heard of this concept before and it intrigued me!
I could work from home, start my own business, be my own boss and there was very little to no overhead. I started searching for anything related to being a Virtual Assistant, I (nicely!) stalked other VA's, I read every post in every VA online forum. I was obsessed and determined! I knew I could do it and make it happen. I also knew that this was not going to happen over night. For the next 6 months I worked during the day and I would stay up late at night working on my business plan. With the help of my husband I developed my website, drafted up contracts, and worked tirelessly on my marketing plan. I knew potential clients weren't going to be beating down my door. I had to hunt for them. I also decided on a niche. Because of my property management and real estate experience, I decided I would focus on becoming a REVA (Real Estate Virtual Assistant).
So I hit the ground running!
I launched my website in March and started marketing heavily...I mean I did it all! The next day I got my first lead. I can not tell you the since of accomplishment I felt!! I landed that job and then the next lead came and then the next and the next! I checked my website traffic daily and only saw the numbers grow. I worked for another LONG two months before putting in my notice. Do you know how freeing that was?!
The first day I started to work at home I poured my cup of coffee, opened my laptop outside by my pool and started my work day. And that is how I start every work day. I am more available to my children, I am sleeping better at night and my eye twitch is gone! This was by far the best decision I have ever made for myself and my family. I have now worked with Real Estate professionals in Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, DC and I only hope to keep adding to my clientele! I am now working on a book about my journey as a VA. I can not wait to see what the future holds!
- The Stress of My Corporate Job Was Killing Me - September 25, 2018
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