Self-employment
Virtual assistants offer business owners help when they need itEmployees on demandBusiness owners typically find themselves caught between too much work and not enough money to hire permanent help. A virtual assistant can be called in to rescue entrepreneurs in such a pinch. ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca |
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 [ 2007-09-12 ] |
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Jennifer Hazlett says virtual assistants are an attractive alternative to hiring an employee.
"I provide administrative services 'virtually,' or off-site, for small business owners who are overwhelmed with their chores," entrepreneur Jennifer Hazlett says.
Hazlett owns Alternate Admin (www.altadmin.ca) a virtual assistant company. A virtual assistant is an in dependent entrepreneur who provides administrative, creative or technical services on a contractual basis to busy business owners.
The industry of virtual assistance is a recognized profession that is relatively new. The industry has been around since 1995 and is growing steadily. Kind of like a "free agent for hire," a virtual assistant may be retained to perform tasks such as updating customer databases, setting and confirming appointments, preparing PowerPoint presentations, developing spreadsheets, making travel arrangements, word processing, or basic administrative support.
Rather than hire a permanent employee, a business owner may be more attracted to the numerous benefits to hiring a virtual assistant (VA). VAs often bill by the hour, require little or no training, do not require the client to pay employee benefits and don't take up office space, because they work off-site.
"VAs are themselves entrepreneurs, so we have a vested interest in our clients' success," Hazlett says. "If we help your business to grow, it means you'll likely have more work for us."
Hazlett started her business part time while working for someone else. When her job ended, she decided it was the right time to jump into self-employment full time, and set up her office in her home in Oshawa, Ont.
She says she loves working from home, because it is helping her to achieve her desired work-life balance and it minimizes operating costs. "I think one of the reasons so many people are launching VA services is because start-up expenses are so low," she says.
With so many new small businesses starting up in North America, Hazlett is confident her industry and company will continue to grow. "Virtual Assistance is really challenging the traditional employer-employee scenario," she says. "Now, a business owner can get the help they need without having to employ anyone."
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