I was born in Morristown, NJ into a loving and reasonably well-behaved family of four kids. I left my home state to go to school on the eastern shore of Maryland, met my fabulous husband, Tim, and never really went back. In 1989 we married and settled in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. We are the simultaneously crazed and thrilled parents of school age twin boys and share our home with two adorable but sloppy and only occasionally clever dogs.
I worked for many years in the insurance industry, but just couldn't imagine returning to the world of long commutes and business trips after my babies were born. However, lady fate introduced me to Dawn Goldberg, COO of AssistU. She, in turn, introduced me to the wonderful world of virtual assistance.
I love being a virtual assistant, an entrepreneur, and, especially, a member of the AssistU community. In creating my practice I have found amazing clients, the very best of friends, and great balance in my life.
Additional Questions Answered By Lee
1. What's your position at AssistU? Describe what you do. What do you love most about it?I'm the Training Director at AssistU. I work with the staff of trainers, supporting them as they work with the students going through the Virtual Training Program (VTP).
The thing I love most about being the Training Director is the sense of family found in the AssistU management team and with the trainers. They are an incredible bunch of people who embody not only the core values and concepts of being an AssistU VA, but also the spirit of our community and a unique way of life. They are kind and nurturing, but not afraid to push themselves and their students to full potential. They are truly a source of inspiration!
2. How has AssistU/being a VA changed your life?
AssistU and being a VA have had a profound impact on my life. I worked for many years in a career in an industry where I found a measure of success and satisfaction. But I don't think I ever knew what it was really like to experience "career satisfaction" until I went through the Virtual Training Program and opened my own business. No longer do I dread Mondays, and I only do things that I want to do. That is pretty profound, don't you think?!
3. What do you consider to be the most important value of AssistU?
The most important value of Assist U is that there is no lip service here! All members of the community truly "live" our values. We are a community bound to honor a code of ethical conduct and standards; period. And regardless of who we are, or where we come from, we care about and support one another, celebrating the concepts of abundance and diversity.
4. What's the most important thing that being a VA has taught you?
The most important thing I have learned as a virtual assistant is that the only constraints on what you can do and the places you can go are those you put on yourself. Being a virtual assistant and business owner has been such a liberating experience. I have grown tremendously both personally and professionally since I started this adventure.
5. You've owned your own VA business for some time now. Why did you decide to become a VA? Was there a particular moment or life circumstance that lit the entrepreneurial path for you
I was always a good "do-bee." The idea of starting my own business never occurred to me until I met Dawn. She had just finished up the VTP and was starting her own practice. I thought that was so cool! And our meeting came at a time when I was in a period of transition. I wanted to return to work after caring full time for my children, but I needed family/work life balance. Virtual assistance and AssistU seemed like a great option. So, I decided to give it a go, start from scratch, and create something completely new, and completely mine.
6. What one thing would you want people to know about being a VA (or business owner)?
Starting a business is a fluid, evolutionary process. You have to be flexible and embrace change. But at the same time, you need to be well prepared and well supported. You don't have to do it alone. Seek out and use the wealth of resources that are available to new entrepreneurs.