If you’re thinking of making the leap from employee or entrepreneur, then this Masterclass by Ingrid Bayer of The VA Institute will walk you through the 12 steps you need to take to get your business set up, the right foundations in place, and then to scale and grow your business.
If you already have your business set up, this Masterclass will still give you some epic tips on many other aspects of entrepreneurship including mindset, time management, communication and outsourcing.
In this Masterclass learn:
- The 12 steps any business owner needs to take to launch and grow a successful business
- Discover the right business structure for you right now
- How to identify the perfect junction of what your service offering should be
- How Ingrid transitioned from employee (legal secretary) to entrepreneur (VA) in a few months!
- The business mindset you will need to cultivate in order to succeed as an entrepreneur
- Brilliant tip for busting procrastination
- BONUS TIP: If you have your business all set up already – start the Masterclass from 21 minutes in to get the most relevant info for you!
Ingrid is the Founder of The VA Institute. For over 30 years, she worked across many industries including, Photography, IT, Entertainment, Stockbroking, Legal, Real Estate and Medical.
In 2008, Ingrid started operating as a Virtual Assistant from her home office in regional New South Wales, Australia. Within two years, she had grown her business to include managing and overseeing a team of VAs.
Ingrid now devotes her time to working strategically with the Australian VA Industry and its stakeholders, and specialising in working with EAs and PAs from around Australia, and around the world, in making the transition to becoming a successful VA.
Connect with Ingrid via vainstitute.com.au
Ask away your questions in the comments in the Biz Babes facebook group, and tell us your biggest takeaway!
Key Takeaways and your ACTION PLAN for launching, growing and maintaining a successful biz:
Step 1️⃣ Determine your business structure:
Are you a Sole Trader; Partnership; Company; Trust?
Step 2️⃣ Define your business:
Draw up a Business Plan (even if it’s just a one pager)
Discover your niche – the people you want to serve, make it your mission to understand your ideal client very specifically and their needs/wants
Communicate the services you offer – develop your marketing message to attract your ideal client
Step 3️⃣ Identify your Strengths and Weaknesses:
Do a SCOT analysis (Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, Threats) so you can identify what you’re good at, what you like and what you need to outsource or get help with!
Step 4️⃣ Set up your business shopfront:
Set yourself up online with a logo, website, social media profiles etc
Step 5️⃣ Resource and Technology:
Think about the things you’ll need to work from home – good internet service, software, physical office space, good ergonomics; contingency plan (if internet drops out or computer dies etc)
Step 6️⃣ Your transition game plan:
Think about the exact steps you need to take the leap to full time biz babe – plan your money and think hard about when the right time to quit
Step 7️⃣ Attitude vs Aptitude:
YOU are your business! Your clients will remember how you make them feel, and that’s what will keep them coming back. Commit to excellence.
Step 8️⃣ Business mindset:
You are no longer an employee – a business owner has to cultivate a different mindset.
You need to think outside the box, learn and embrace your failures, you need to be solution focused.
You’re passionate because you’re using your strengths to make a living.
You should NEVER stop learning. Learn to love the numbers. Be selective with who you listen to for advice.
Step 9️⃣ Excellence in Business Communication:
Online businesses rely on efficient communication, you need to be clear, concise, prompt and helpful.
Step 1️⃣0️⃣ Time Management:
To be successful you absolutely MUST learn how to master your time – to do lists will become your best friend. Prioritise, manage emails and phone calls, schedule regular breaks, don’t procrastinate, track your time to see where it is going.
Step 1️⃣1️⃣ Outsourcing and Collaboration:
Outsource the things that eat up your time, or that you don’t like doing, or that you’re not the best at. This will free up your time to do the activities you’re best at – that make the $$!
Step 1️⃣2️⃣ Networking:
Go to where your ideal client hangs out online and offline, build relationships, be genuine, share knowledge, be generous, build rapport. You’re already onto this one because you’re a #BizBabe!