The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants

by Christine Durst, Michael Haaren

Virtual Assistants work from home, providing everything from administrative support to high-end consulting via email, phone and fax. Predicted to be a $130 billion industry by 2008, they don't commute, they set their own hours, and they get to spend time with their kids. Wouldn't you like to be a VA, too?Christine Durst founded the Virtual Assistant industry in 1995 from a basement office in rural Connecticut. Michael Haaren, an ex-Wall Street attorney (who grew up in a log cabin), was one of her clients. Together they launched Staffcentrix, a leading VA training company, and the International Virtual Assistants Association, built the first Portable Career/Virtual Assistant Training Program for the Armed Forces, presented at the United Nations, and transformed the Virtual Assistant movement into a global phenomenon. Drawing on years of experience training and mentoring Virtual Assistants around the world, Chris and Mike take the mystery out of home-based virtual careers, and help you avoid the common pitfalls, too. In The 2-Second Commute , you'll learn how
The 2-Second Commute's self-assessment exercises will help you decide whether the VA path is a good fit for you, or if you need to acquire new skills before setting out. Interviews with successful VAs, VA clients, and telework industry experts will help you find good clients and projects ASAP (and avoid bad ones), and leverage your first assignment toward a foundation of consistent cashflow that meets your financial and work-life goals. Along the way, you'll meet people who will support and inspire you to do what you, too, may have often longed to bid farewell to the rat race, earn a respectable income, and spend more time with your family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Tonia G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still reading this book. I am starting a virtual assistant business and this has been invaluable in my research. The authors really take into account that people have actual lives as well as businesses. There are exercises that help include your spouse and other family members so that the everyone knows what to expect from someone in their household running a business. They help you think about what you really want your business to be and what's important to you before you start.

[Kathy]

Just saw her speak today and although I already do an MLM Home-Based Biz, I loved her style. A great combination of type A personality with a very real sense of family, herself and living down to earth. Can't wait to see what this book is like and has to offer

[Maria D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up just to see what it would take to start a business; it had some good advice and good leads. It also provided a good refresher of the tech stuff I'd already learned; some of the info seems outdated. Overall, it's a good little resource.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books I read to get ready for my business, this was the most touchy-feely... but good nonetheless. Glad I read it!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one that I read through quickly and will go back and re-read the most relevant parts.