Business Profiles- Cybertary

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Tammy Pope of Cyberteries

Cybertary Home Business

Name:  Tammy Pope
Business Name: Cyberteries
URL:  www.cyberteries.com

Job title
Virtual Assistant

Job description
I allow you to grow your business by providing administrative assistance.

Reason for starting at home business
Some reasons include: needing to travel, becoming a parent,  a job layoff, health reasons, wanting to be your own boss, being a single parent, being disabled, moonlighting, wanting a simpler life, home schooling, upholding family values, I have always wanted to work for myself and spend time with my children while they are growing up.
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Deciding factors or motivations influenced you
The deciding factor was when my oldest son had to have surgery and could not work for over 6 months.  I NEEDED more income!

Describe how having an at home business has changed your lifestyle
It has increased our income, therefore we are able to do more as a family, not just survive.

What is your personal passion and how do you express that in your business
I love people.  I love to help people and I think that this comes over into my business.

Office location
Bedroom of my oldest son that does not live at home any longer.

Start up costs
Basicly none.  I already had the computer, printer, scanner and digital camera.

Start up strategy
I’m still working on this one.

Years in this business
Less than one year.

Income potential for this career
The potential is unlimited.  This depends on how much time and effort that you devote to your business.

Ideal customers
Realtors and coaches.   Things are always changing and you are never bored with these two groups of people.

Previous career
Bookkeeper

Transferable Skills
Accounting and computer knowledge.

Necessary Skills, Education for Job
You must know how to use several different software programs and have people skills.  As far education, ATLEAST high school but hopefully more.

Equipment, software, and tools needed for Job
You need a computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, telephone, and internet access.  The most common of the software is Word, Access, Excel, Corel, Power Point and Quick Books.

Industry Insight
Virtual Assistants are becoming more popular by the week.  People are seeing the advantages of a VA over in-house, full-time employees.

Most Effective Marketing Strategies
Being new at this, I haven’t figured this one out yet.

Pricing strategies
I am still working on the pricing part right now.  I have basic prices but have no concrete prices for out of the ordinary projects.

Recommended resources
IVAA and IVOA

Best part of the job
Doing the things that I love to do.

Worst part of the job
Not having anyone around to discuss ideas with.

Secrets to your success
Continuing to improve myself, my business, and my skills.

Worst business mistake and what you learned from it
Not getting a deposit up front for a lot of work.  This will not happen again.

Helpful advice for someone getting started in this career
Don’t give up.  Continue to try, keep going even if you still have your “day job”

What are your future plans for business growth
I would eventually like to partner with another VA that offers services that I do not.

How do you balance your career and family life (IE child care etc)
My son is in school so child care is not needed.

Is your spouse involved in your business?
He hates computers, can’t even turn it on.

Any tips on keeping your spouse happy and supportive when you own your own business?
Just let them know that you really do love them, even if you don’t come to bed until 3AM some mornings!

Do you involve your kids in your business, if so then how.
Yes I do.My son helps me file and he looks over some of the graphics that I do to see if he thinks that they are acceptable.&He’s only 8 but some of the things that he says or sees makes a lot of sense and I don’t think that I would have seen or said them.

Were your parents business owners or entrepreneurs, if so tell us your story.
No, they were not.

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