Invest More Time in Your Business - Black Forest Virtual

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christine Gillingham, Founder of Black Forest Virtual, located in Lincoln, NB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Black Forest Virtual helps entrepreneurs and small business owners across Canada stay on top of their business' financial health by keeping their books organized and prepped for tax time. We also offer virtual assistant services, including social media scheduling, data entry, and research work.

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in Germany, the Black Forest region, hence the Company name. I moved to Canada in 1990 when my husband was posted back to Petawawa, ON. I went back to school in 1998 and received a Diploma in Office Administration. Now, after 20 years working in offices, I decided it was time to branch out and offer my services to more small businesses across Canada.

Since then, I have received the following certificates:

  • QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, 2021
  • QuickBooks Level 1, Algonquin College, 2021
  • Payroll Administration, Algonquin College, 2021
  • Office Administration Executive Diploma Program, Algonquin College, Pembroke, ON 1998-1999

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Starting a business and working for myself was a big step with even bigger learning curves! After years of working in offices, I'm proud of myself for branching out, starting my business, and landing those first clients.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Learning to market and actually sell my services! Bookkeeping comes easy to me, marketing not so much.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. It's never too late to start or to start something new.
  2. Be patient.
  3. Invest in support to help with the tasks you can't do or those that take you too much time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.blackforestvirtual.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076224280883
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackforestvirtual/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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