I have been happily married since 1974. My husband and I have four grown children and eight grandchildren. Faith, loyalty, and virtue have always been, and still are, important qualities/attributes in my life.
I love spending time with my children and grandchildren, and I make efforts to do it often. My daughter lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, and recently, she needed my help while her husband was away on a military deployment. I was able to relocate my practice there for six weeks without skipping a beat! Everything transitioned seamlessly, and I got to spend over a month with my grandkids. That adventure, I think, is a testament that VAs can work from anywhere, and geography is never a liability.
I also get to experience a variety of fun activities with my husband. That, coupled with my "it never occurs to me there are things I can't do" attitude, has resulted in my becoming a master scuba diver, power boater, Harley motorcycle enthusiast, and avid shootist. I also love off-road four-wheeling and racquetball, and I plan to take flying lessons!
I've been a Virtual Assistant for over eight years, and that experience has only reinforced and strengthened everything that matters and is positive in my life. It really never does occur to me that there are things I can't do.
Additional Questions Answered By Marie
1. What's your position at AssistU? Describe what you do. What do you love most about it?I'm Anastacia Brice's VA :)
Being Anastacia's VA encompasses so much... what don't I do!? I love being involved on the cutting edge of the VA profession.
2. How has AssistU/being a VA changed your life?
There have been a number of things: flexibility of time, partnering with clients, being my own boss, utilizing all of my skills, being able to enjoy things I wasn't able to while in the corporate world, versatility, having a sense of pride and accomplishment, and more.
3. What do you consider to be the most important value of AssistU?
I know that my AssistU colleagues have been trained and coached to a high level of ethical standards and behavior that are integral to our profession. We have a rigorous curriculum and high expectations. It's not 'one size fits all.' Our graduates have been through an intense, cutting-edge program that requires a lot of hard work and commitment.
4. What's the most important thing that being a VA has taught you?
Genuine client/VA partnerships can and do exist.
5. Why did you decide to become a VA? Was there a particular moment or life circumstance that lit the entrepreneurial path for you?
While working as an executive assistant in the corporate world, I often thought about being my own boss and doing the same type of work from home. I read about Anastacia and AssistU in IAAP's magazine. I was so excited about what she was doing that I called her right away and signed up for the Virtual Training Program. That was eight years ago, and I've never looked back!
6. What one thing would you want people to know about being a VA (or business owner)?
It takes a lot of hard work and commitment, but the rewards are unparalleled.