Web URL: www.MaplewoodVA.com
In Business Since: 2000
Type of Business: Virtual Assistant, Online Business Support
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Maplewood Virtual Assistance, owned by Ruth Martin, provides online business support services to small to mid-size businesses and entrepreneurs with an emphasis on business and project management, marketing and writing services, and administrative/executive support services.
How did you decide on your business?
Prior to becoming a work-at-home mom, I returned from maternity leave with an infant (and all the baby gear) to the management workforce. This worked until my little fella became pretty mobile at 8 months old and then it was time to transition to being a work-at-home mom. In August 2000, my virtual services began as an administrative assistant independent contractor locally for a church and a few weeks later I added a non-profit organization to my client roster. After 7 years of working this way, I formalized the business and went full-time and global with online business support services. This path has satisfied my craving for being a stay-at-mom plus nurtured my need for producing business results, has kept me grounded in exceptional customer service, and has provided meaningful, impactful outcomes to those I interacted with. I knew working with other like-minded entrepreneurs as their online business manager and ‘go-to’ person would free them to pursue their business goals and put me into a position of working in my strengths all while giving me the freedom to be a hands-on mother to our son.
Appreciating the mentors along the way….
While I never had a formal mentor or sponsor along the way I have indeed been mentored and benefitted from the sharing of those veterans who paved the pathway before me. Additional insights came from mentors I worked with while in the brick-and-mortar world who recognized my skills and encouraged, okay sometimes pushed, me towards opportunities.
If you haven’t yet experienced having a mentor I would encourage you to find a one, someone you admire, and get to know that person. Follow their business writings/blog, and observe what worked well for them to see if those methods can be incorporated into your business plans. Don’t copy them but use these things to get your own creative juices flowing.
For someone considering a virtual assistant career I would you remind them:
That a business is an organic, living thing that should always be growing and changing. Failure to recognize this and meld into the current demands being heard from clients can be detrimental to a business. It’s important to be diversified in business. Diversified meaning having several income streams to ride the natural ebbs and tides of business. If one area is slumping then another will peak. Marketing must be a continual process.
And, treat each client project as if you were doing it for your own company. The level of excellence and expectation is very high when one takes ownership for the project rather than considers it a way to a pay check.
Interested in working with me?
Well, this is my blog and my website is at MaplewoodVA.com so use the Contact form to get in touch and we can schedule a chat.