Caring for Husband who has Cancer - Need Help becoming VA

[sammaddismom]

Hello, My FMLA at work is running out and my husband's cancer is getting worse. He's stage 4 with Melanoma and we are now traveling out of state for experimental treatments. My work will not renew my FMLA and is basically doing all they can to get me to leave. I've been employed in the field of Mortgage Lending and at my present job I do payroll, accounts receivable/payable, and benefits. I thought maybe a Virtual Assistant may allow me the flexibility to travel with my husband to his treatments.

I just really need some advice on how to get started. If anyone is willing to help me, please feel free to email me.

I would be very grateful for any assistance. Thank you, Jill

[leighangela]

So sorry about your husband :-(

Join virtualassistantforums.com. They have a getting started pack that you can download. You'll see it right at the top of the page.

[VirtualAvenger]

Good morning. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I have actually just started myself, but I have already learned some tips that I'd love to impart to you:

1) Don't be afraid. I'd been trying to start this business for years, and fear of failure, or of looking stupid, or of being a nuisance to my family, kept holding me back. Finally, by the time I realized fully that I wasn't living the life I wanted to live, I decided I wasn't going to let the fear rule me anymore. I know this sounds a bit self-helpy of me, but it's so true. The truth is, I realized that I was going to make mistakes no matter what - I might as well throw myself out there and see what happens. Every time an opportunity to expand my business comes my way, I take it (unless it's cost-prohibitive). If it fails, fine, I'll drop it and move on. However, to my shock, a large number of my opportunities have panned out, often in surprising and unexpected ways.

2) Do not - DO NOT - undersell yourself. As I mentioned in another thread earlier today, it is so very tempting to assume that your services and your experience are worth less than your competitors, and to thereby drop your prices "competitively" - but the trick to being competitive is to match the prices of the people you view as being more professional than you. Your clients will subconsciously associate your prices with your skill - the lower the price, the lower the skill, and they will take advantage of you. Price yourself at a rate that you would respect if you were a client.

3) You can do it for free. I have not spent a single cent on my business in my first month. If you have a computer, you can at least get started without spending any money. This was another thing that was holding me back - I assumed I'd have to have a huge start-up capital. Get a free website - yes, it might not be your own domain, but you'll have an online presence, which is the first step. Advertise on craigslist - locally at first, then in surrounding areas. Check with your city's chamber of commerce and see if there are any free mixer events, and GO. Print your own business cards - even if they're cheap, at least you'll have them. Of course, once you start making money, you'll want to spend some money to upgrade your business - getting your own domain, getting professional business cards printed, etc. But it IS possible to make money here without spending a whole lot of your own.

4) Know beforehand how much time you can devote to it, and tell your clients. Just like showing them that you value yourself by setting a respectable rate, show them that you value your own time. If you don't want to work until midnight every night, tell your clients that your cutoff time is 10 PM and that you will not do any work after that time no matter what. If you will need to be taking care of your husband while working, make sure they know you have family obligations that take precedence over your business. Don't surprise them with "new rules" after they've already signed a contract.

5) Don't be afraid. Did I already say that? I'm saying it again. Don't be afraid!

Let us know how it goes! You will do great, and I think you will find Virtual Assisting to be the best way to go for your situation.

[charmed]

I agree with what has been said here, do not be afraid and just do it. You can get started with little to no money if you already have the makings of an office at home. You do need to have the skills, but you can get started if you do.

Not to take away from Virtual Assistance, because I am still a VA, but you can also earn money writing, check out the writing forum too.

Also, telemarketing, check out that forum too.

Leave no stone unturned while you are going through this. My heart is with you and your family during this time.

If you get a VA website started I will give you a free listing on my Virtual Assistant Moms page to get you started, just send me a message via the contact form, tell me The name you're calling your business, and what you will specialize in and how people can contact you, ie.. phone number, website info.

Best to you and yours.

[T-M]

I pray for your husband. Cancer is not something I would wish upon my worst enemy. May he be healed and be well, lots of love and light to him.

[septangl29]

I just wanted to type a message of support. I have stage 4 cancer too, sarcoma. I was laid off in May. Despite the chemo appointments, I was still extremely productive. However, my job title was eliminated anyway. Cancer is a tough road for anyone and some people and unfortunately, companies, are not as understanding as we'd like. If you ever want to talk or vent, PM me.

i am also looking for a way to make a few extra dollars while I figure out how to get re-employed, and I stumbled across this forum. I have a little web business I started, selling books and DVD's but multiple income streams seem to be wise. Therefore, I'm looking for more things to do.
Sending prayers and good thoughts that things will work out for you and your husband.

[Angela123]

I hope you find some work which suits you, I can only imagine how difficult it must be trying to look after your husband and support the family at the same time.
I have a close friend who is in the late stages of bowel cancer, and I wish they would hurry up and find a cure for this cruel disease.
God bless and power to you.

[katcon]

Reaching out as you have is truly wonderful. And I thank the others who offered help.
I am a patient advocate so let me know if there are any questions or concerns I can help you with.

Your background gives you a lot of opportunity and I used several websites mentioned to find jobs here and there as I do advocacy work free a lot of the time.

You can send me a private message.

Katherine

[SharonAPrice]

Starting a VA business is a great way of making some extra money and based on the skills you outline would a vary resonable career. I agree with looking at virtualassistantsforum.com or in google just type virtual assistant and see how many groups you can join for free.

They day I started my business 6 years ago, I decided to be a virtual assistant and started telling everyone that is what I did and ironically the work started pouring in. There are alot of people looking for help especially small businesses. (Remember to tell everyone you meet that you are a virtual assistant they will keep a look out for you as well)

I would also check out networking meetings like ewomen.com. Networking groups are a great place to meet a lot of overworked entrepreneurial ladies. Just be prepared when you are networking to have your business cards in advance. You will want to hand them out to everyone you meet and give them 2 and tell them to pass them on to people they know.

My thoughts and prayers are for you and your husband at this time and good luck with your VA business.

[VirtualKelly]

Oh my Jill - I am so sorry to hear about your husband. That must be so difficult. My prayers are with you and him.

What about a seasonal job to get you through the next couple of months? I know that many companies are hiring right now. Most jobs are for home based telephone, customer service, gift advisors and that sort of thing. Big retail stores need a lot of help from now until after the Christmas holidays so its a great time to get your foot in the door. Maybe it will lead to full time employment?? !!

I also work in the accounting field (mostly on the technical side of things) so I do know of some possibilities in that area. I am not sure what I am allowed to list in this post though... HomeWorkersNet, FREE Work From Home Jobs - New is a free website where a friend of mine lists her companies jobs so I know they are legit.

Also, try setting up your LinkedIn profile and start making connections in the field. You would be surprised at how many project offers I have received as a result of connecting with someone on LinkedIn!!! Its free and easy and ... well, why not? You know.

If there is anything i can do please let me know. Hang in there.