Welcome to the Canadian Small Business of the Month feature.

How did you get started in your business? Susan Valeri saw and seized an opportunity. In 2000, Susan noticed a request for a part-time administrative assistant from an author she greatly admired in an ezine. When Susan answered the request, the author asked her to do a test project for her, and when the project was completed, Susan did such an impressive job she was asked to join the team.

Instead of hiring on as an employee, however, Susan decided to become an independent contractor and start her own business as a virtual assistant. "For a year," Susan says, "I operated with her as my only client until financial circumstances prompted me to expand."

This beginning project not only inspired Susan to start her own business, but led her into developing related services that helped her establish her business' niche.

The services Susan provides are unique in that her clientele consists solely of authors, speakers, and coaches. So in addition to the usual administrative functions that virtual assistants provide, such as transcription, word processing, and spreadsheets, Susan promotes and obtains opportunities for publicity for her clients. 

"I research and liaise to provide radio and television interviews, magazine and newspaper coverage, book signings and live speaking engagements all over the United States and Canada," Susan says. 

Becoming a PR Practitioner and Publicist is an achievement that Susan is very proud of. "I think this is because I had to overcome an element of fear; fear that I could not do it, or do it well. Fear that I would not be able to "sell" my clients' features and benefits. But I can!"

Next page > Building A Client Base > Page 1, 2

 You can contact Susan Valeri, Master Virtual Assistant, via email at virtualassistantsusan@hotmail.com , or by phone at (905) 643-2436.
Or visit her Web site at www.virtualassistantsusan.com.

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