Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Helen Peterson, Owner of Peterson Virtual Assistant, located in Bend, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a work-from-home-mama working as a Virtual Assistant and Project Manager for 6 and 7-figure online entrepreneurs.
I started out as a Virtual Assistant in 2018 when my daughter, Emery, was born. I knew I didn’t want to go back to my medical office job, so I began to learn more about starting my own business. I saw other women on Instagram doing it, and this is when I softly launched my Virtual Assistant business! I started to build my client base by helping with backend admin tasks, and it later moved into launch strategy and support for online courses and big projects.
As I shared my journey on Instagram and my blog, other women were asking me how I started - that’s when I created my Virtual Assistant Bootcamp, a 6-week online course teaching other women how to start their business from home!
Tell us about yourself
My 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son are my huge WHY! I love having a flexible work routine that allows me to be home with them. I also have a passion for supporting growing businesses, and working in the online space provides me the opportunity to work with clients from anywhere and really narrow in my focus on businesses I believe in.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In the 4 years of my business, I have helped online entrepreneurs sell out their online courses and hit big launch numbers such as $50k and $100k in just a matter of weeks. It is such an accomplished feeling when we put the pieces into place, and a launch is a huge success!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding the balance between work life and simply being home. When your desk is in the corner of the living room, it's easy to just hop on for a few minutes to answer some emails or post on social. I've had to learn how to set boundaries and be present with my family when it's time for that. I love what I do, so it's easy to get caught in wanting to do more and grow more every day. But finding and maintaining the balance and avoiding burnout is really important to me!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't be afraid to invest a little bit and learn from someone who is doing what you're doing! You will establish yourself so much quicker if you take a course or join a mentorship. There are so many cost-effective opportunities online these days! Skip the constant "how to" googling and just learn from someone who has found success already! They will happily teach you what to avoid and what to focus on :)
- It's okay to change your mind! So many successful entrepreneurs are NOT doing the original business they started. It's all about getting started, learning, and growing from your experiences and sometimes even mistakes. Your first idea may be successful, but it also may not be, and that's totally okay!
- Don't get discouraged when the initial start of your business is slow. Regardless of what you hear online, there are no quick routes to a successful business. Some grow faster than others, but it doesn't mean yours won't be successful if you aren't seeing big numbers right off the bat. Keep promoting it, getting testimonials, and most importantly - don't give up on your dream!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://petersonvirtualassistant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vababes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petersonvirtualassistant/
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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