MI: Hi Jana. You represent
a growing group of Virtual Assistants who are also
military spouses and have completed the Military
Spouse Virtual Assistant training. Would you share
with us how you chose this profession?
JY: I saw the opportunity to
give myself a career that fit in with the military
lifestyle. I have found that even with a wealth of
knowledge and experience in my previous jobs,
banking and customer service, it was getting more
difficult to find employment every time a military
move came up. This was the perfect opportunity to
give myself a career and support my spouse’s career.
I think it is great that there is an opportunity for
military spouses to have a career and for companies
to support the military spouses no matter where they
are.
MI: How do you feel the MSVA training helped you prepare for running your
own business as a Virtual Assistant?
JY: I found the training to be
invaluable. It provided me with the tools I needed
to start my business and the confidence to know that
I can succeed. I have been an active virtual
assistant for one year now and know that thanks to
my training I will be able to keep my business and
clients whenever or wherever we move. I also enjoy
the fact that my training has never really ended.
Chris Durst is always there for me if I have
questions along the way and is always great about
providing me with guidance when I need it.
MI: It’s been just about a
year since you obtained your certification as a MSVA.
What would you say are the most significant
highlights of your growth as a VA during this first
year of business?
JY: There was a large learning
curve. I had to grow from being an employee to being
a business owner. It is possible to let the client
take too much control of the working relationship
and you have to be careful to not let that happen
while still providing them with the support they
need. I feel the major highlights have been personal
growth, the experience and the wealth of knowledge I
have gained in the real estate field.
MI: You’ve chosen working
with real estate clients as your primary niche. Why
did you choose to specialize in this area?
JY: I enjoy providing services
to the client as well as their customers. It is
possible to provide services to several real estate
agents at the same time and still manage your time.
The services they require also make it easier to
work into your daily family life. I can still take
vacations and provide services to my clients.
MI: What is your support
specialty within the real estate field?
JY: I am currently assisting an
agent with her lead management and I also plan on
specializing in online transaction management.
MI: Is there any training
or certification that you feel is important or
helpful for VAs working with real estate
professionals?
JY: I definitely think that the IVAA certification for a real estate support
specialist is very beneficial for a VA just starting
out in the real estate profession. The certification
gives a great overview of terms and ethics that help
a VA to realize the importance of what they dealing
with. I also believe getting certified as a licensed
real estate professional assistant helps to close
the gap for mistakes or crossing the line on the
part of the VA. I believe the more training you get
makes you just that much more valuable to your
clients.
MI: Are there any special
aspects of working with Realtors® that present
challenges a VA might not be faced with in other
niches?
JY: You really have to be
conscientious of the laws of the state where you
live or the state where your client does business.
Although I can answer calls and take messages for
real estate members I cannot answer questions from
the public about houses on the market since I am not
yet licensed. I often have requests for that type of
information. I have been asked to give bid amounts
so that realtors can make their clients’ bid more
attractive. This is obviously not only legally
unacceptable but unethical as well. Failing to know
the laws that apply to the state you are in or
supporting in can cause business problems with your
client as well as future clients and may have
unforeseen consequences for the realtor you are
working with.
MI: Members of the military
and their families face unique challenges – in the
work place as well as at home, with frequent
relocation being one of the most difficult. Does
your being a VA now change this in any way for you?
JY: Owning Virtual-Ease has
alleviated a great deal of stresses to moving. As I
said, it is getting more difficult to find
employment with each move. After four months and
countless resumes I still was unable to find work in
San Antonio. With the virtual assistant field that
stress is eliminated. My business moves with me. It
also provides additional relief to the family since
I am able to be home when my daughter gets home from
school. I feel a great sense of relief knowing that
my daughter does not have to be a latch key child.
Each military move can have its own stress but
knowing I just have to pack up the files, laptop,
printer and scanner makes it so much easier. I know
I can handle calls and email while on the road or in
a hotel and my customers never have to worry about
losing someone who knows their business.
MI: Jana thank you for
taking the time to share your experiences as a VA
and especially giving us some insight into what it
means to be involved in the MSVA program.
JY: It has been a
pleasure sharing my experiences with you and
everyone else. I am glad to be able to share value
of virtual assistance and hope your readers will
consider me or another military spouse when they are
looking for assistance.
To learn more about Jana and her services
just send
her an e-mail at
JanaYoung@Virtual-Ease.net or call her at
210-522-9395. Always remember to do a
thorough due-diligence before hiring any kind of
assistant. This interview is part of an ongoing
series of VA profiles designed to help you find
the perfect VA or VA team to keep you get organized,
profitable, and in control of your business.
