Five years ago I was employed and a regular on these boards   I was in a job I was beginning to resent and so when redundancy reared it's head I started up on my own.  Always wanted to be a Virtual Assistant and have had 4 years working for myself now.  I've loved (and hated it equally) and I am really glad I did it, however I'm heading back into employment now because I've satisfied the initial challenge and am just not enjoying it as much as I would like.

I have learned a whole load more than I ever would have done whilst employed, my business skills are much more focused and I feel I am a much better PA for it. 

I have a second interview tomorrow so fingers crossed I can put that experience into practice

Callie

I use cloud computing all the time  From my CRM to accounting, secure backups, document sharing and newsletter software, I use a really wide range of services.

When I left full-time employment I had a huge learning curve about this type of thing and although I'm not expert I am fairly knowledgeable.

The cloud is definitely the wya for companies to go.

Hello ladies,

Just popping in to say hi.  I do keep meaning to drop by and catch up but have been so busy with one thing and another that I always forget.

After the letter I sent my ex employers they have now paid up my redundancy the division I worked for has been closed down and my boss effectively demoted.

My VA business is going well, just secured a great and exciting client to work with so I'm feeling a lot more positive, although a few days ago I nearly jacked it all in! 

More good news is that I've been accepted on the Degree course starting in September.  I'm looking at a Joint honours degree combining Marketing and either Creative writing or HR Management.  Both interest me but for different reasons.

I must admit I miss the money by not working but, I am loving the free time and feeling a whole lot more "alive".
Isn't it strange how things change in 6 months?

Anyway, I'll off and catch up with a few posts now

Callie

Hi Ladies,

It's been a while since I've checked in but thought I'd update you

Still waiting for my redundancy to be paid out!  I have sent a rather terse email this morning that states I am no longer prepared to accept excuses and any financial costs that I incur will need to be met by them.

Anyhow, my VA (virtual assistance) business is going well, a bit slow and I could do with increasing my income but it's happening.  I have 3 main clients and my work for them is varied and interesting

I've just qualified as a Social Media Specialist with VAClassroom and so loving it.  
I've signed up to get info on starting an Access course at the local Uni in September, after which I am thinking about a a degree in Marketing.
My website is up and running, although the rewrite and blog (which I finished on Friday) I accidently deleted from the server and my IT girl is on holiday
Attending lots of networking events and it's been a real transition from being the PA behind the desk to the Owner/PA having to sell her skills!

My old boss has been seriously demoted and the division I work for has been closed, all the staff under that division have been merged into another division, and the other PA that works for it, has an inkling that she will be next to go as they are trying to move everything to the Head Office.

So glad I got out when I did.

Callie

I was in a branch of construction hire industry.


I have now got it all in writing and will be speaking to a solicitor in due course.

Can't say I haven't loved being at home

Well that's me all done!

The last few days have honestly been the worst days of my entire working life and I will be making a complaint.

My boss hasn't even been in the office this week! I've packed, shredded and archived two offices and seven years of business operations single-handedly, organised furniture removal, kept my boss fully aware of every action, whilst, believe it or not, having to run the office as normal (thought my job was no longer necessary!).

As of this moment, I have nothing official in writing, my boss told me that HR were coming to sort all the paperwork out with me on Thursday afternoon possibly, but no one from HR could be bothered to ring me and make an appointment, and even less so could they ring and tell me they weren't coming!!

Two hurried phone calls and a couple of apologies this morning, saw me politely told to hand my keys in and go ... which was gracious of them for saying I had no furniture to sit on anyway!  I was told the paperwork was posted yesterday but that it would be emailed through!  I've not had it though.

There is a fine line between remaining professional and being humiliated and that line was definitely crossed into the latter yesterday.  I've not even had a card off my boss.

I did however, have a beautiful bouquet from the other MD and his PAs

Roll on Monday morning and self employment

I'm quite cross that the announcement has only really just been made, although I knew last week from the twitter grapevine.

Hubby and I were planning a mid week break in London on the back of this show, which we've shelved, luckily we'd not paid upfront for the hotel and it was easily cancelled.  At least we'll be spending time together decorating now LOL.

I have no idea where I was when this was setup, so I never added my goals.  If I had written this in January then they would have looked something like ;

1) Build up my virtual assistant business with an aim to going p/t or f/t by the end of the year.
2) Lose weight!
3) Research taking further qualifications, whether it be MOS 2007 or a Level 4.
4) Get my boss to understand my role and qualifications further so I'm not so bored and he gets the best out of me.


Well, I'm leaving tomorrow and my boss isn't even coming in to the office this week to even say goodbye, so I know how much I am valued by him (roll my eyes to the ceiling) so No 4 never happened, but on the back of that obviously that makes No 1 happen so swings and roundabouts about how I feel there.

So ...

1)  Happening and my redundancy pay means I don't have to worry about wages for 6 months, so I can definitely work hard on growing the business.
2) Not happened yet, but now I have much more time on my hands and so I can definitely go to the gym more etc.
3) Still researching.  Might change it to more business orientated in line with my VA business.
4) Well I'm redundant so that won't happen now LOL.

Callie

I'm in the lucky position of having a boss that delegates very little and so I often have quiet or dead times.  I rarely have to juggle tasks and can "get to" immediately when things are handed out.

I do have routine jobs but again because I am able to stay on top on my work I rarely need to delay or catch up.

I gave up the things to do list a long while back!

I'm not too concerned tbh. There are no cases near me fortunately though.

Since my daughter was ill, I've kept one of those soap free handwashes on my desk, the alcohol type thing that evaporates and kills practically everything!  I'm going to stick one in my bag and just continue to use that as much as possible, although won't stop airbourne virus.

Our layoffs have been happening over a year and it has been so difficult as I've known about 95% of them.  I agree that it is so difficult to remain positive and cheery through it, the feeling I had of being two-faced and lying to people in the lead up was horrific.

I was asked more than a few times what was happening and I just told everyone that I had no idea and that all correspondence was marked private so I never read any, and all email attachments were passworded!  People gave up asking when they thought I didn't know anything and why they thought I'd tell, I have no idea!!

I only have today and 4 days next week and then I'm finished  My redundancy has unsettled a lot of people as I was seen as key to operations, and now there is talk of the business up for sale, our CEO on notice etc.

I agree, keep schtum and just do the work.  I worked for a woman who was ruthless and detested, people got to appreciate that I wouldn't say a bad word and often relied on me to "sound" things out.

Over time I gained an excellent reputation for professionalism and I got a lot of respect.  When she left she told me she knew what people said and appreciated the fact that I had stood up at times, kept my mouth closed at others and she knew that I'd bounced ideas for other people.  She, despite her fearsome reputation, put a lot of effort and training into me and I credit her for helping me get to where I am today.

Sometimes the best thing is to listen and then ignore the gossip.

Negativity rages through gossip like wildfire, bet you find if he'd been brilliant and done something excellent no one would care!

Didface, KFC is my one weakness

I'm relatively good at eting healthily most of the time, I can avoid the burgers, fries, and other fried foods that many eat here, but KFC ... the minute I fancy it, the craving does not go away.

I'm back dieting at the moment so popping home at lunch for salads, poached eggs etc.  I only have just over a week left here and then I will be at home all the time so it should make it easier

Callie

I feel very guilty now looking at you all eating healthily and bringing in lunch, as I'm sat here with a KFC!

Generally I bring something in as our kitchen has a microwave, toaster and sandwich maker, but until I go to the shop tonight we're a bit "mother hubbard".

There's a yummy sandwich shop just up the road from my office so I often pop in there and pick up a wrap or panini.

Two more weeks and I'll be eating at home each day so it won't be a problem!

Calista

Argh, still haven't got a letter outlining my package yet!  Our HR department are useless!

I'm really struggling to remain motivated and professional  I'm here basically stuffing files into bags for shredding, I've lost email functions for my boss and his calendar.

My colleagues are very shocked and more than a few are jittery about their own jobs now.  It seems that the removal of my position has affected a few people and their own security.

It's so sad, there are a lot of unhappy, demoralised people around me at the moment, I really don't think our Board know the extent.  I am very glad to be leaving, which is a dreadful feeling.

My hubby commented that my "bubble" is back the other day  Apparently I haven't smiled and laughed so much in a long time (although I think the sunny weather is helping).

Sad times