Angie Nelson, ASN Virtual Services
ASN Virtual Services of Craig, Neb., was launched in November 2007 and provides affordable virtual services and blog consulting for online business owners.
‘Ah ha’ moment that led to launching the business: I was very unhappy with my previous 9-5 position, but simply getting a different job didn’t feel right. I felt I had a lot more to offer. I wanted to be a key player in a business success. I wanted to be in more control of my own future. Becoming a business owner was the way to achieve those goals.
Ideal customer: Online business owners.
Landing first customer: Via a referral from another virtual service provider.
Measuring Success: By my ability to persevere. Being a business owner isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. There are difficult moments and the drive to overcome them always leads to bigger and better things.
Biggest Struggle: Getting out of my comfort zone. I have always been a very shy, private person. To become a successful business owner, I had to get out of my shell — and network. Through meeting other women entrepreneurs and sharing my story, I have developed a strong, supportive network.
Surprise!: You don’t have to go it alone. There are other women in the same position and facing the same struggles. It is a huge relief when you finally connect with one of them. You are able to help each other through the tough days.
Getting Sales: I was receiving a lot of emails through my virtual assistant website from aspiring VAs. Rather than continuing to correspond privately via email, I start a blog, The Work at Home Wife, to share what was and was not working for my online business. Despite being started as a portal for sharing my story and experiences, many of my readers have now become clients. I have adjusted my service list over the last year to provide for their needs.
What keeps you up at night (business-wise!)?: I am always having fabulous ideas come to mind. Trying to decipher which ones are profitable and how to implement them keeps me up at night.
Ever tempted to throw in the towel and just get a job?: There are occasionally those fleeting thoughts when things seem overwhelming. They never last for long.
Biggest Goal: I have recently started receiving requests from beginning bloggers for consultations. It has been such a pleasure working with these women with a story to tell but who are unsure how to go about it. I look forward to more consulting in 2011.
Pricing: Don’t constantly try to underbid your competition. Your products or services are valuable, and you want them seen as such.
A few good tips: Find where your target market hangs out and join them.
The absolute best part of owning my business is: I control my future.
If I had to start over again, I would: put my fears aside from Day One and go big.
If standing on a rooftop facing crowds of aspiring or struggling small business owners, I would shout: “Just do something! Don’t wait.”
