Virtual Assistant Start-Up Checklist

First off, I would like to say there are many valuable resources on how to start up a Virtual Assistant Business. It is the goal of this project not to mimic or copy the information, but to create a comprehensive checklist from VA’s and what they did to start their business. If you have a resource that would be beneficial to any of the points, I would like to include them. The other objective is to include what needs to be done differently in differently countries (mainly focusing on the US, UK, Australia and Canada). If you would like to help with this project, please add any comments.  I could use any comments if I am missing information and information on each of the country specific details:

Virtual Assistant Start Up Checklist
	Know what a VA is and isn’t. - Telediscussion with AssistU - The VA Profession - IVAA - What is a Virtual Assistant from the IAVOA
	What skills do you have and what services will you offer
	Decide if you want formal training - AssistU - Virtual Assistance U
	Self Assessment Your Own Goals & Abilities & Competencies
	List what you are good at what you are not good at
	Do homework! Research VA Reading - Articles in the News AUSTRALIA - (Victoria) Small Business Counselling Service Inc. (NSW) - Small Business Advisory Centre (NT) - Northern Territory Government
	Company name - AUSTRALIA (NSW) Department of Fair Trading
	Registering Your Business
	Business License US - Business Licenses AUSTRALIA - Business License Information (NSW) - Department of Fair Trading CANADA UK
	Choose what form of legal structure your organization you will make (proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc) - US - AUSTRALIA – (NSW) Department of Fair Trading - CANADA - UK
	Set up your record keeping system
	Business Insurance
	Legal Issues
	Set up Banking
	Determine the start-up costs (equipment, supplies)
	Financing
	Set your rates - Pricing Yourself to Get, and Stay, In Business
	Business Plan
	Marketing Plan - The Virtual Assistant's 'Building Your Client Base & Marketing 101' Manual and Workbook...
	Logo -Software to build your own logo - The Logo Creator - Professionally produced Logos - Get a great logo in 72 hours!
	Business Cards, stationery, business form (your order forms, invoices, etc)
	Set up home office (location/equipment)
	Set up "business" hours (when you can be contacted, when you will set up your time for working)
	Upgrade any necessary equipment for a smooth running office
	Brochure on your services
	Create an Emergency Contingency Plan
	Build a website
	Submit to search engines
	Get listed on VA sites: - List of places where you may list your virtual assistant business
	Join Organizations - IVAA - IAVOA
	Join Message Boards and Support Groups - Message boards
	Networking Plan (places to go, people to talk to, family, friends) - Networking: Creating A Whirlwind That Pulls You Forward
	Elevator Speech - Verbal Logo
	Decide if you want certification - VA Certifications
	Info/Promotional Packets (business card, flyer, brochure, article or two, etc)
	Set up invoicing/billing