Meet Tawnya Sutherland of VAnetworking

Web URL:   http://www.VAnetworking.com
Years in Business: 2003
Type of Business: Virtual Assistant Training & Resources  plus Forum Board
Works: 100% virtually
Facebook Page
LinkedIn
Twitter ID:  @vanetworking

Ruth:  Welcome to the blog, Tawnya. Tell us about VAnetworking and all that it offers to virtual assistants.

Tawnya: I run a website that is the market leading resource for virtual assistants to network at plus find the training and information they require to take their VA business to success. The VAnetworking Forum is a popular free forum board with over 15,000 members who come there to find the answers they need for their virtual business questions.

Our informative website is also for business entrepreneurs worldwide who desire to learn more about how a virtual assistant can help them revolutionize their business. Success is just a step away with a VA!

VAnetworking’s mission is to maintain a quality community that helps entrepreneurs earn both wealth and respect while maintaining the lifestyle they desire. We have training resources for every VA from startup to a veteran service-based business owner.

Our secondary mission is to get the media involved in learning about the benefits of virtual assistance for the business owner and help advance all of us in our chosen profession through public acceptance. Bringing more awareness to the VA industry can only bring more clients through the doors of each VA business online today.

Ruth: Would you share what led you to consider a virtual profession and how you got started?

Tawnya:  I started working as a virtual assistant in 1997 as a workable way for me, as a single mother, to stay home with my three children and support them. I loved the idea of being able to have the freedom to work when I want, wherever I want, and be there for them as a mom on a daily basis. My specialty was Internet Marketing and I eventually started up a marketing company Mediamage Business Solutions.

I worked as a VA for many years and noticed along the way that there was a lack of resources and support online for those working virtually. I found I really missed the social networking at the water cooler that happens when working in the corporate world. One day I decided to gather a bunch of VA friends together and start a small networking forum to socialize at and share our experiences both service based business and personal. Ten years later this small networking forum turned into VAnetworking.

Today, I am focused on finding and creating the best training programs and resources for VAs to help them succeed quicker and easier than in the past. For example one resource, the Virtual Business Startup System (VBSS), has helped over 800 VAs get up and running quickly and easily.

Ruth: 800 is an impressive number…being a contributor to the VBSS System I’m a bit biased but I must say it’s the total package and you’ve included many bonuses to help a VA get established. I’ve always appreciated how many learning opportunities you make available to VAs and in my early years I was like a sponge in regular attendance, week-after-week, soaking in the seminars, getting to know my VA colleagues, and networking on the forum. I landed my first RFP on the VAnetworking forum and all these years later continue to work with that same client. Along the way have you had a mentor to support, guide, encourage and open doors for you?

Tawnya: I’ve been blessed with many mentors and coaches along the way. I truly feel to succeed in any business you must incorporate a mentor/coach into your business plan. Having a personal coach by your side will cut your learning curve in half without the heartache! All chief executives, CEOs and successful business entrepreneurs like Donald Trump, Oprah, and Richard Branson have all had mentors/coaches to take them to the top. Owning a VA business is no different and every VA should seek out a mentor/coach to motivate them to a higher degree of success.

Again and again in my coaching discussions with VAs I see that the knowledge and wisdom I’ve acquired over the years is TEACHABLE. And the challenges inherent to starting a VA business are COACHABLE. I’ve personally coached 100s of virtual assistants over the years. I don’t hold anything back with my protégés. I give everything I have and then some. VAs who work with me one-on-one get the full benefit of my skills, experience and PASSION for helping women succeed online in this increasingly competitive industry.

As for doors being opened up to me, there really were none. I worked hard and dedicated every available working hour towards my success. I never gave up even when the going got tough. Eventually it all paid off.

Ruth: What advice do you have for someone considering a virtual career such as yours?

Tawnya: Here’s my secret to success…it came to me from a cereal box of all places. Some people claim high power people like Donald Trump or Oprah have given them the secrets to success, for me it came from three little Elf Chefs named Snap, Crackle and Pop.

You don’t need to work out long complicated plans and flow sheets.  It all comes from inside, and you just need the tools to get started, after that the wheels of momentum and the knowledge of experience (whether gleaned from self-experience) take over.

SNAP! This is easy to understand, you have the dream, you have the skills, and you have the desire to change your life. So … SNAP TO IT!  It won’t happen until you start, and has been said by someone wiser than I, “All journeys start with a single step.”

CRACKLE! Ok, I changed the word a little, but you need to CRACK the whip every day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but seeing as you’re most likely starting your empire alone, you need to crack the whip on yourself every day, especially when it seems that the building process will never stop.  Little secret here, it won’t. Because as with Rome, you’ll always need another street or another shop, or most likely, in your case another website!

POP! He’s a little different as he is the anchor in your marathon to the top and he has several jobs for the long haul. So let’s break POP down to its core.

P is for Perseverance.  You have the passion, now believe in yourself enough to persist through the tough days, there will be many, but the rewards will come.

O is for Outsource. You know what you’re good at so outsource the rest, there is no point you spending time on something you don’t like or know how to do. Do what you know how to do and love doing best, and get others to do what they’re good at.

P is for Populous. Surround yourself with people that think the way you do (This does not mean find “Yes Men” either). This means find people with similar skills, to learn from, with similar dreams to aspire with and similar goals to work towards. And don’t forget to hang with the people you wish to be like one day too!

So go pour yourself a bowl of success, add a little milk, and just a touch of sugar to sweeten it up, and go get em’ Tiger… Oh that’s another box of cereal and other story, but that will come later.

Ruth: That’s a memorable and catchy way to look at success. What advice would you give someone seeking a virtual professional such as yourself? 

Tawnya: Learn to outsource to a VA! To get ahead in business you need to learn to delegate and outsource tasks to a VA so you can focus on the meat of your business, be it marketing or creating new products. I have a couple of free eBooks you can download at our website to help you find the right VA for your business. Always hire a VA from a reputable and long standing community like VAnetworking or VAcertified.com to ensure the candidates you choose are competent investments.

Ruth: These tips are sure to be helpful and thanks for sharing those free eBooks. Any last thoughts or comments you’d like to share with our readers?

Tawnya: Never give up! The road to success may seem a tough hill to climb in the beginning but once you reach that mountain high plateau and look out over the horizon you’ll understand why it was all worth it. The freedoms you’ll have owning your own successful service based business will be worth every step along the way. Keep stepping forward, one step at a time and keep “hope” close by your side!

I invite you to join a long standing VA organization/network like our FREE network at VAnetworking then start participating and engaging at the forum. Soon enough you’ll get to know the people and find the most credible resources to run your business with strength and confidence.

Ruth: Because I’ve had the pleasure of working with you, for a time, as one of your virtual assistants I’m especially pleased to share your experiences with my blog readers. Thanks so much for chatting with me, Tawnya. It’s been a treat to put VAnetworking in the spotlight and share the many resources available to the forum members. 

If you’re interested in submitting a Request for a Proposal (RFP) to hire a virtual assistant please click here.