Web URL: http://www.mjva.ca
In Business Since: 1999
Type of Business: Virtual Admin & Tech Support
Works: 100% virtually
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Twitter @mjva
Ruth: Michelle Jamison of MJVA & Associates joins us today to share what she does in her business as a multi-va services company. Tell us about MJVA & Associates.
Michelle: MJVA is a full-service, multi-VA business, providing innovative solutions to our client’s administrative challenges. Each team member is talented in their own unique way. Together as a collaborative force, we provide each and every client with a highly-skilled team of professionals whose primary focus is the success of our client’s business.
We love to work with individuals who have an innate desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Coaches and therapist make up majority of our client list, and we are thrilled to support them with admin and technical support. Some of our coach specialty services include customized marketing assistance, coach certification support, implementation of coaching packages and creating an effective online presence that’s extremely important for our coach clients. We absolutely love what we do, and who we do it for!
Ruth: How did you get your start in this career choice?
Michelle: I was somewhat of a professional drifter. A single mother, I had tried my hand at a variety of various occupations, but nothing really stuck. It wasn’t until I was introduced to the VA profession back in 1998, by a neighbor of mine, that I’d actually found my “calling.” I loved everything about what it meant to be a Virtual Assistant. Most of the applications I’d learned by spending hours at the computer, not because I had to, but because I couldn’t tear myself away from them. I dove deep into the world of working virtually and I haven’t yet come back up!
I am immensely blessed that in 2004, Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta (Canada) saw something in me, enough to have me create curriculum and teach for their Online Virtual Assistant Certificate program. The first of its kind in Canada! What a trip! It’s been such a rewarding experience. I never would have dreamed that my path into Virtual Assisting would have taken me to such amazing heights! The past 14 years have been a complete rush, and I wouldn’t change it for anything!
Ruth: Describe those who have influenced you along this journey.
Michelle: My neighbor, Mary-Lou Ashton who had introduced me to this profession, I owe pretty much all my success to. She has walked this path with me every step of the way. I laughed with her, cried with her, her feedback was pivotal in many of the business decisions I made. She coached me through some great times, tough times, and I will always be thankful for this. I think the VA profession is filled with a ton of individuals who have in one way or another impacted my success.
I think in particular the multi-VA owners who I’ve come to know and love would be top of the list of supportive peers. There was a time, when being a multi-VA owner, wasn’t overly cool. It was new, unknown. Since I coined the phrase “Multi-VA” and wrote an eBook about establishing a multi-VA business, I was a wee bit of a target at times, receiving a number of emails from VAs who thought I was desecrating the profession by offering a team approach to virtual assisting. Really, no hard feelings! The fact is, we multi-VA owners stuck to it, and we built our businesses with integrity and immense respect for the partnering aspect of what it means to be a VA. Now, some of the finest, genuine and most respected VAs are multi-VA owners… and I LOVE this! It is hard work being a multi-VA owner and it’s not for everyone! But the multi-VA owners I know do it extremely well.
Ruth: What advice would you give to someone thinking about a virtual career like yours?
Michelle: First off, I would ask, can you see yourself loving it? For me, if you don’t love what you do, then there is really no point in doing it. If you aren’t really passionate about this work, then walk away.
Then I would ask, how hard are you willing to work to make it happen? Owning a business, any business is not easy. I worked plenty of late nights, early morning and weekends to get my business off the ground. I was determined, enthusiastic and most importantly committed to making it a success. Those times when I felt like giving up, I found a way to plow through it. And, I think that’s important -to find that motivation to propel you forward in the times when things may come crashing down. Finally I would ask, who’s in your corner? Who’s YOUR support? I probably never would have made it in this profession if I didn’t have the support of my family, my friends, and especially other VAs in my network. Having a strong, support system is such a blessing, and has always been an essential element for success for me. I think training also provides an amazing amount of support for the new VA. Working with a VA mentor or coach is something I believe anyone who is entering this profession should be considering. Forget the considering…just do it!
Ruth: What suggestions do you have for those who would like to work with you?
Michelle: Get very clear on your needs. Take a long, hard look at your business. Determine where it is you need the most support.
Do an inventory of strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. What skill sets, characteristics will mesh well with you and your business? Like any relationship, it needs to be a fit on all levels.
And most importantly, we must remember, we are partners. Just as you have certain expectations, so do I. Mutual respect, open communication, and honesty are a few to mention.
Ruth: Any last thoughts to share with our readers?
Michelle: I have been extremely fortunate to have found this profession and to have made a living, a good living, at what I do. Being a VA, primarily a Multi-VA owner, has opened so many opportunities for me to explore other areas as well. Coaching, teaching and writing are passions I may not have even been conscious of if I hadn’t become a virtual assistant. But I am first, a VA, and I am very proud to be included in such a fantastic profession.
Ruth: Thank you, Michelle. I have several of your books and highly recommend them when the topic of operating a multi-va business model comes up. While my business model isn’t multi-va your writings have aided me in being a better project manager for multi-va teams.
Interested in learning more? Michelle has written various books and eBooks with the VA industry, a few currently being used as textbooks for colleges, and educational institutes across Canada and the US.