Web URL: https://accbizsvc.com
Years in Business: 1998
Type of Business: Multi-VA practice
Works: 100% virtually
LinkedIn
Twitter ID: @jeannineclontz
Ruth: Welcome to the blog, Jeannine. It’s great to have you here and be able to share more about you with the readers. Tell us about Clontz Business Services.
Jeannine: I operate a multi-VA practice with a team of 5-7 talented team members. We specialize in marketing and social media support, training, and consulting for speakers, coaches, authors, consultants and real estate professionals.
Ruth: How did you get started in this career choice?
Jeannine: Sort of by accident. I got a small inheritance when my aunt died and we were looking for an opportunity for my husband when I stumbled upon IVAA.org. I thought it would be something I could do part-time for fun money (so we could travel) and my adventure began. We did travel quite extensively for the first three years I was in business, but then my husband got laid off and everything changed. I needed to up my game and get back to being the main breadwinner which I have – I’ve reinvented my business several times to accommodate the changing marketplace and the changes in the VA industry, and finally settled into my multi-VA practice in June of 2011.
Ruth: You’ve touched on one of the bonus perks of this type of career – it can be molded and scaled up or down more easily than other business models. Along the way have you had a mentor to offer you support and guidiance?
Jeannine: When I first started there was a man I met at a Chamber event who also had a home-based business and he mentored me and helped me establish and grow my business. He was a great cheerleader, and connected me with local business people and civic groups that helped me get noticed in the area. I would also encourage virtual assistants to invest in themselves and find a good coach to help them find what will work best for them and help them establish a profitable business. So many of the VAs I coach have incredible skills and talent but no background in how to run a business. Unfortunately, they usually aren’t able to stay in business for the long haul. If you invest in yourself and get the training and coaching you need, you are much more likely to succeed and make a great income.
Ruth: Do you have a bit of advice for aspiring and emerging virtual assistants?
Jeannine: Be sure that your business is aligned with your passions. Only provide those products or services that really speak to your expertise and things you LOVE to do. Also, realize that it doesn’t really matter so much that you have superior services, what matters is that you spend most of your efforts in marketing your business. If you don’t market your business, your business will stagnate. Take the time to setup a simple plan and be consistent in spending the time to implement it – if you don’t have the time, hire a VA to do it for you – seriously! If I had it to do all over again, I would also say that I would not have gone full time until I had a minimum of 2-years’ of my corporate world salary in savings. Sure would have saved me a lot of struggles during the first 2-3 years I was in business.
As a business owner you really need to be self-motivated and surround yourself with supporters. Joining premier VA organizations like IVAA.org will connect you with other VA professionals you can build relationships with. They will be your best supporters and would be willing to help you set and achieve reasonable, attainable goals. IVAA.org also has a mentorship program for start-up VAs that would be very helpful. Do some reading about the VA industry (there are many great options at Amazon, including mine) and make sure having your own business is the right fit for you. It’s not for everyone, and it’s certainly not easy, or everyone would be doing it.
Ruth: Great advice, Jeannine. What tips would you offer to someone searching for a virtual assistant(s) like you and your team?
Jeannine: At Clontz Business Services, LLC, we partner with our clients and believe in building a long-term relationship that is mutually beneficial. While the interview process is not the same as in an employer/employee situation, a basic interview process should include a visit to their website, references, specific experience in your software or technology need, and a telephone conversation to determine if you are a good fit for each other, if your personalities work well together and if you have similar business practices. You may also benefit by asking someone you respect for a referral to a VA.
We have a team of professional VAs who specifically support, speakers, coaches, authors, consultants and real estate professionals who are ready to address their marketing and social media challenges. These high-level entrepreneurs realize they can’t do it all themselves and want to achieve results by discovering easy solutions and technologies that provide consistent activity and growth to their Internet presence and brand. For more, or to schedule a complimentary consultation please visit: http://www.internetmarketingvirtualassistant.net
Ruth: Any last comments you’d like to share with our readers?
Jeannine: I can tell you that 15 years ago if someone told me I could create a six-figure business that would sustain me past retirement (or as a saleable business) I would have thought they’d lost their minds. But, I am proof (and I know several other VAs who are at the same level or beyond) that with hard work, perseverance, and a strong work ethic will take you a long way in a VA practice. I also believe that it’s a bit easier now. When I started my business I would use the term ‘virtual assistant’ and get that deer-in-the-headlights look. Now even folks in the Midwest (always the most conservative) know what a VA is and do understand the value of working with us. And finally, for any of you who tell yourself you can’t make a living at this because of having to compete with VAs who offer their services at $3-5 an hour, I say, ‘hogwash’ – you don’t want those people as clients anyway. If they think that they will get top notch, professional, support with a long-term relationship, they can’t get that for $3-5 an hour. And take it from me – as I continue to raise my rates, I find that the clients I attract are a much higher caliber client than when I started at $25/hour – you CAN do this!
Ruth: Over the years I’ve attended many of your seminars and you’ve always been so open about your journey in being a successful virtual assistant and encouraging others to step into this viable career choice. Thank you, Jeannine. You’re truly an inspiration.
Jeannine is the author of the book, Entrepreneurial Freedom: How to Start and Grow a Profitable Virtual Assistance Practice available at http://www.entrepreneurialfreedom.com and also at Amazon. This book has been in my resources on my office bookshelf. I encourage you to check it out.
Additionally, Jeannine operates a business coaching service at VA Business Coaching.