AssistU is proud to put Jennifer Dillon in the spotlight!

I entered the AssistU program after almost 2 years of struggling to make a decision about what I wanted to do next with my life. I have come to believe that my recent personal and professional experiences have been leading me to a career in Virtual Assistance.

When I first heard of AssistU, I checked out the program and (mistakenly) decided I wasn't in the right place in my life to start my own business. I thought, "I'll get there in three to five years." Well, life has a funny way of steering us where we need to go. So, about 18 months later, I found myself enrolling in AssistU's Virtual Training Program.

While in the VTP, I realized I had already been doing the work of a Virtual Assistant for 4 years! I had been helping a long-time friend start a professional organization and organize an annual, international symposium. Since I'm in Massachusetts, and he's in Florida, I was already working virtually. Since we started out as friends and then moved into a business arrangement, we had the "relationship" part of the profession down. I had already begun my new career and simply wasn't aware that it had a name - Virtual Assistance.

My previous jobs have been in two, small businesses in a variety of positions. You know the kind of positions I'm referring to - the kind that require you to adapt to changing circumstances and responsibilities on a daily basis. I learned a lot and always enjoyed the challenge of stepping into a new role created by growth and circumstance.

I've realized over the years that I am extremely adaptable, I learn new things quickly, I'm good at problem solving, and I look for opportunities everywhere.

Upon reflection about what I enjoy most about my jobs, I realized how much I enjoy helping others navigate the course of growth and success in both their personal and professional lives. And, it was so easy for me that I didn't realize the value that help provided others.

As a VA, my role is to assist my clients in their day-to-day business tasks, while in the process learning their business. As I get to know the business, I have a knack for asking the questions that allow my clients' to clarify their thoughts. Then, together, we put those thoughts and ideas to work.

I formalized my part-time, side "business" and created Collaborative Connections, a company I plan to call home for many years to come.

I enjoy working with creative and dynamic business people who have a vision and a purpose and love what they do (even if they are burnt out frustrated at the time they find me). My ideal clients are passionate about their businesses and their careers. They know that asking for help will allow them to fulfill their potential because they no longer want to juggle all the tasks required to keep their businesses thriving. My ideal clients want success and know they can't achieve that success without help and support.

My practice is growing, and I continue to meet fantastic, enthusiastic people. Throughout my entire professional life, I've always been the "go-to-girl," the person others turn to when they're overwhelmed. I have a propensity for identifying and implementing the "little picture" tasks and details required to create a successful "big picture." I enjoy being the behind-the-scenes person that enables others to successfully live in the limelight.

On a personal note, I'm married and have a 9-year old son. I'm a graduate of Tufts University (Jackson `93) where I majored in Political Science and was a member of the Varsity Crew Team (I was part of the first-ever Tufts boat, men's or women's, to win The Head of the Connecticut). My husband, father-in-law, and I are active in the equestrian community. My husband's family owns and operates a private boarding and training facility; my husband is an Equine Dentist and runs his own business (with my help, of course!), and I'm an avid dressage rider who currently works and rides with Olympic veteran Michael Poulin and multiple-time National Champion Larry Poulin. I'm training my 1st young horse, a Dutch Warmblood named Uliet, and hope to someday compete at the FEI level.

For more information about Jennifer Dillon, please visit her website at http://www.ccvirtually.com/.

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