* What was the inspiration, or the catalyst for, the creation of your business endeavor?
In 1997 I lost a 10-year position with a major HMO and was pretty devastated. I was looking for something to fill my time while I thought about what to do next, and ended up taking hypnotherapy certification training. I’ve always been fascinated with the mind, so it seemed natural for me to be drawn to that. That same year I became involved in holistic healing and took the first level of therapeutic touch training. I used these skills only sporadically, though, for the next 7 or so years. In 2003, after six years of having several different jobs and nothing feeling right, and not having enough of a financial foundation to just pursue hypnotherapy full time, I ended up taking virtual assistance training on a fluke. A little Internet research led me to the term ‘virtual assistant’, and I thought, "Why can’t I combine my years of front office skills and knowledge and turn it into a business for myself, where I can operate in ways that work for me and not an employer.
* What steps did you follow to build your business? Are you still in the process of planning your endeavor?
My virtual assistance training taught me the steps that I needed to follow to market myself and get set up with the state, taxes, etc. It was really just a matter of figuring out what marketing materials to use, how to get them created, and developing a niche market. I wanted to continue to work with the mental health industry, I already knew that, and I just included anyone in healthcare to expand my market. And yes, still in the process; my V.A. business changes all the time. Services I thought I would be providing have never actualized. And I find that I’m providing other services that I never even imagined.
As for my hypnotherapy practice, I am just this year seriously pursuing growth as a hypnotherapy provider. I’ve become certified for the second level of therapeutic touch, joined the nation’s best hypnosis organization, became affiliated with two local hospices, and have begun advertising and introducing my new office.
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