Why did I become a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

[gazellems]

When I graduated business school, I got a good but very demanding job.  There were no two days the same and it was a job I could enjoy the challenge of.  I loved my co-workers and enjoyed working there.  Then I had my children who are 17 months apart.  My focus in life changed but my employer's didn't. 

I changed jobs but never found another wonderful boss, supervisor or job that could fulfill me as my first job had.  After relocated out of state and back again to care for my elderly parents, I found nothing that could allow me to do all I needed to do for my children and parents. 

I started temp work when someone suggested I cut the middle man out of the equation.  At last, I found the perfect situation.  I work with clients to grow their business while maintaining my home, spending quality time with my children and helping my now deceased parents.  My business grew and I loved it.  I got married and took my business with me to another state. 

After Hurricane Katrina, I discovered I could restart my business in a new place and I've been actively doing so since January 2006.  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine such a great opportunity existed.  Now that I've found it, I can see me doing this for the rest of my life. 

Why I become a VA is because I love my work, because I get to see my clients doing well due to my efforts and I get to enjoy being here for my children.  Talk about having your cake and eating it too.  Take care and God bless.

[VondaHarrison]

Gazelle, I've seen you mention Katrina before.  Where did you live when she hit?  I'm in central Miss. 
And I really enjoyed reading your post.  I have a lot of the same feelings about my "whys". 
I've always loved admin work.  Funny as it sounds, it's true.  Not wanting to leave my second baby with daycare like I did my first 2 years earlier, I started looking around online for ideas of working at home.
I found a website called www.bizymoms.com, learned about being a VA, and started researching all I could on it.
Like you, I thoroughly enjoy the satisifaction of watching my clients succeed, knowing I had a hand (no matter how small) in it. 
I absolutely love being a VA, and the whole idea behind it! 
And I am sorry about your parents.  It's hard losing someone, but a parent is the worst in my opinion.

Vonda

[gazellems]

Vonda, we were in Long Beach, MS which is 4 miles west of Gulfport.  We had just moved to MS in April for my ex-husband's military orders and Katrina came in, turned everything upside down that August.  In the aftermath, I was placed where God wanted me to be and He has continued to bless us every since.  As the song goes, I wouldn't give nothing for my journey. 

Loosing my parents was hard at doing so in January 2005 then the cross country move in April, Katrina in August, followed by the demise of my marriage in October, made 2005 a year of tears for me.  It is only through the grace of God that I made it through.  So I give all the honor, glory and praise to Him for never leaving nor forsaking me.  Take care and God bless.

[VondaHarrison]

Incredible!  Yes, Long Beach, along with Pass Christian, was one of those places only Mississippians knew about outside of the news. 
With the magnitude of devastation that happened, only New Orleans was ever spoken about due to the history of that area.
And you said it perfectly...Katrina turned everything upside down alright!  whew! 
I've never been scared or worried about hurricanes.  I'm 2.5 hours north of the coast, and never was in harm's way of one.  Well, Katrina taught me better!  *sigh*
God is definitely good, and has a great purpose for you! 
I'd say I'm sorry about your 2005, but it is appearing as if you've found a way to rise above---with God's help!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Vonda

[gazellems]

Vonda, as you can see, I always use Long Beach with Gulfport because no one knows where it is and I'm always getting people who assume I came from New Orleans.  I just say I'm not from New Orleans and leave it at that.  I have never been in a major disaster but we had hurricanes come on shore in VA but nothing like the devastation in MS.  Trying to describe it to people so they understand, I tell them it's like starting all over again from scratch with no idea what you need first, how much you need and where to get it. 

You are so right, God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  We were truly blessed to survive and thrive here in GA.  I remember daily that it's only by His grace that we have a new place to call home.  Take care and God bless.