| Eight long years ago ... that's when it all started for | | | | to Corporate Monkey Land. I've kept that |
| me. Dateline: January 2000, San Francisco. Life | | | | promise to myself ... |
| was good that morning, but the afternoon turned | | | | - To walk away from the computer and not |
| to storm clouds when the owner of the company | | | | "type angry." Ahhhhh, the stories I could tell! |
| for which I was working laid me off ... along with | | | | - To have fun each and every day I draw a |
| 75% of his company. Happy Monday, Lori Davis! I | | | | breath. |
| didn't take this personally, for I knew he was | | | | - To keep business as business, and not take it |
| doing what he had to do to ensure the longevity | | | | personally. |
| and good health of his company. | | | | - To demonstrate to my assistants and |
| So, here we are eight years later into my | | | | Associates how valuable they are to me and my |
| adventure as a full-time and professional Virtual | | | | dreams. |
| Assistant, and I wouldn't trade these years for all | | | | You know what? Through all the major missteps |
| the gold at Fort Knox. I dig the experiences, both | | | | (there have been many), and through all the shout |
| good and bad, of being a Small Business Owner. | | | | it out loud moments, I've found I'm really good in |
| The knowledge I've acquired has made me that | | | | the role of Lori Davis, Business Owner. I really am! |
| much more powerful, and I know nothing can | | | | I'm skilled at conveying why business owners |
| stop me. | | | | should partner with us, and I get a kick helping |
| My adventure has taught me: | | | | my personal clients. When someone asks, "What's |
| - To always get the signed contract before work | | | | a Virtual Assistant?" I'm right there with the |
| begins. (I committed a major faux pas my 3rd | | | | business card, a hand shake and a explanation |
| month in business.) | | | | they can understand. I love knowing the Davis |
| - To take care of myself mentally, physically and | | | | Virtual Assistants team supports a wide variety |
| spiritually. No one will do this for me. | | | | of business models, and that we work hard to |
| - To not read too many business books. Since | | | | earn it every day. Who would have a thought a |
| January 2000 I've read two: Secret Service and 4 | | | | girl from a teeny tiny town in Kansas could |
| Hour Work Week. | | | | become such a success? |
| - To always show my true self in my writing. | | | | Talk to me about your adventure, gentle reader. |
| That comes naturally, and I've been told that's | | | | Why are you running a business? Tell me your |
| one of the many reasons why people reach out | | | | proudest moment and the critical mistake you'll |
| to me. | | | | never make again, not even on a dare! Hindsight |
| - To remember why I launched this baby, this | | | | being 20/20, what do you know now you wish |
| empire, in the first place! I made a promise to | | | | you had known during the infancy of your |
| myself way back in 2000, and that was to never | | | | business? |
| ever double-dog-dare-you jinx-double-jinx return | | | | |