This article is printed from http://www.selfgrowth.com
"A" is for Adventure
By Lori Davis, DavisVA.com
Apr 24, 2008
Eight long years ago ... that's when it all started for me. Dateline: January 2000, San Francisco. Life was good that morning, but the afternoon turned to storm clouds when the owner of the company for which I was working laid me off ... along with 75% of his company. Happy Monday, Lori Davis! I didn't take this personally, for I knew he was doing what he had to do to ensure the longevity and good health of his company.
So, here we are eight years later into my adventure as a full-time and professional Virtual Assistant, and I wouldn't trade these years for all the gold at Fort Knox. I dig the experiences, both good and bad, of being a Small Business Owner. The knowledge I've acquired has made me that much more powerful, and I know nothing can stop me.
My adventure has taught me:
- To always get the signed contract before work begins. (I committed a major faux pas my 3rd month in business.)
- To take care of myself mentally, physically and spiritually. No one will do this for me.
- To not read too many business books. Since January 2000 I've read two: Secret Service and 4 Hour Work Week.
- To always show my true self in my writing. That comes naturally, and I've been told that's one of the many reasons why people reach out to me.
- To remember why I launched this baby, this empire, in the first place! I made a promise to myself way back in 2000, and that was to never ever double-dog-dare-you jinx-double-jinx return to Corporate Monkey Land. I've kept that promise to myself ...
- To walk away from the computer and not "type angry." Ahhhhh, the stories I could tell!
- To have fun each and every day I draw a breath.
- To keep business as business, and not take it personally.
- To demonstrate to my assistants and Associates how valuable they are to me and my dreams.
You know what? Through all the major missteps (there have been many), and through all the shout it out loud moments, I've found I'm really good in the role of Lori B. Davis, Business Owner. I really am! I'm skilled at conveying why business owners should partner with us, and I get a kick helping my personal clients. When someone asks, "What's a Virtual Assistant?" I'm right there with the business card, a hand shake and a explanation they can understand. I love knowing the Davis Virtual Assistants team supports a wide variety of business models, and that we work hard to earn it every day. Who would have a thought a girl from a teeny tiny town in Kansas could become such a success?
Talk to me about your adventure, gentle reader. Why are you running a business? Tell me your proudest moment and the critical mistake you'll never make again, not even on a dare! Hindsight being 20/20, what do you know now you wish you had known during the infancy of your business?