My guest today is Linda Siniscal. She runs a successful business called ‘Third Hand Secretarial Service’, a virtual assistance company. Linda started her business in 1994. Read and be Inspired by her business success story !!!
Can you tell us a bit about your business?
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I started Third Hand Secretarial Service LLC in 1994 and have been assisting small business owners with their bookkeeping and administrative needs ever since. I am a Certified Bookkeeper with the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and help small business owners in setting up their QuickBooks as well as maintaining and reconciling their accounts each month. |
Third Hand Secretarial Services offers bookkeeping packages allowing the small business owner the predictability and consistency in their monthly bookkeeping costs, rather than an unpredictable price based on an hourly charge. Packages are determined by the average number of transactions each month. Other services offered include website updating on WordPress sites; article submission services, newsletters created in Constant Contact, Social Media services including setting up of profiles in LinkedIn, Facebook as well as monitoring and posting to Twitter accounts; travel arrangements, email and voicemail coverage while traveling or on vacation and much more.
I am a member of the Delaware Valley Virtual Assistants Association currently serving on their Board of Directors (2009-2011) as Treasurer and a member of the International Virtual Assistants Association and have also served on their Board of Directors (2006/2008) as Treasurer. I also belong to the National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Jersey.
Third Hand Secretarial Service assists clients located throughout the United States as well as in Canada.
You have been in business for a long time – Since 1994 – Probably way before the term ‘Virtual Assistant’ was coined – How did you make the leap from an office job to your own business? Were you afraid?
I have always wanted to own my own business and when word processors were introduced into the office, I knew this was an avenue I could pursue. I had to relocate to another part of the state as my husband was relocated for a new position and needed to find another job. Well for a period of 3 years I had 4 different jobs due to the economic downturn in the late 1980′s and I decided this was the time to start my business.
I did find another job and started my business part-time. I worked at my business at night and on weekends, trying to build my client base. I did this for 2 years and then finally made the decision to devote all my time to my business. It was very scary at the time but I have not regretted that decision. It allowed me more time to market and bring in new business.
You have been running a successful business for more than 15 years. If you had to pick one thing that makes you unique and successful in business, what would that be?
My client relationships. I really stay connected to my clients. I want them to succeed! If I see an article or a website that a client would benefit from, I send it to them. I have such wonderful and inspirational clients and they truly rub off on me. I also offered such a wide variety of services that really fit my clients well at the time. I did not specialize and I think it really helped me grow. If a client had a need, I researched to see if this was something that I could do for them, if not, I helped them find the right resource.
Do you see huge, medium or slow growth in the virtual assistant industry in the next 5 years ? And also what do you think is the future trend in this industry – is it specialization or being a generalist virtual assistant ?
With this down economy, I see a lot of potential for virtual assistants in a variety of ways. With people being laid off, many are now starting new businesses and they need or will need support, whether it is administrative, website development, marketing, or graphic design. With larger companies, they are outsourcing more and more services so I see my clients picking up those opportunities as well as virtual professionals.
When I first started my business I was a generalist – and it has benefited me. For some time we had quite a few virtual assistants service realtors and that industry was really growing up until the housing downturn and now we have virtual assistants looking into other areas in order to bring in new business whether it be social media support, website development or shopping cart services. I feel it really depends on the individual and where their strengths are. You need to do what you love to do as it comes across in your work.
If you had to give two pieces of advice to someone new to this industry then what would that be ?
Network, network, network. It is so important to get out and meet other entrepreneurs. You learn so much plus they get to know you and what you do. I find that many people will refer you if they made that personal connection. Also get involved, volunteer on a committee – let them see the work you can do plus you will have great rewards when giving back. My other advice would be to stick with it. It does take time – you must give 150% of yourself and prove yourself. When your clients receive more than they expected, the referrals will start and the business will grow.
How do you promote yourself ?
I do belong to National Association of Women Business Owners and try to attend their monthly meetings. I also have a monthly newsletter called VirtualConnections, offering tips and website resources to my newsletter readers. I update my blog regularly and also post to my various social media sites. Another way that I promote my business is direct mail – I try to send out postcards every 3-4 months highlighting a different service I offer. And lastly, article writing. I have been writing articles and submitting them to various submission sites and I have definitely seen some increased traffic to my site from these articles.
Finally, your five keys to success?
- Do what you love to do as it will come across in your work. If you have tasks that you dislike doing, then hire a subcontractor. First when you do something you do not like to do, it will take you much longer to do. Plus, it will give you the free time to network, spend time marketing, or working with a client
- Work with a Business Coach or participate in a Mentor or Mastermind Group. If you are just starting out or growing your business, look for help and assistance. Someone you can share your ideas with and provide that much needed direction plus it really does keep you on task.
- Prepare a business plan each year. It does not have to be complicated or a long 20 page document. There are templates available for a simple One-Page Business Plan. I can’t tell you how this has truly benefited me and my business each year. I also set time aside to review my business plan and make any necessary adjustments throughout the year.
- Hire good talent. Having a good team behind you will definitely move your business in the right direction and also allowing you the time to continue to market and grow the business. Of course you will need to have all the processes in place so document as you go along. It will make this transition much easier in the long run.
- Listen to what your client needs are and see how best you can serve them. If it’s a service you are not good at or feel they would be better served by someone who specializes in that particular service then make that suggestion to the client and if you know someone, recommend them. Your honesty will be much appreciated by the client.
Sites Of Interest
This interview was published on 22nd July 2010
Visit Linda’s website to get more information about her business
To read more stories about women in the virtual assistance industry click Virtual Assistants
