Jemma Vanderboon is a Virtual Assistant who knows firsthand how much work goes in to building an online business – which is why she loves helping people succeed by offering virtual assistant services and business support to small business owners.
She has taken a very practical approach to starting a business and to building her WordPress site, um, which I totally love because it sounds just like me LOL! Read on to learn more about what Jemma does, why she started her own business and her experience building her own WordPress site!
When did you decide to start your business and why?
I had been thinking about it for months but took the leap in January 2015. I did it for a couple of reasons but the main thing was that I LOVED the work! I had been doing VA work for about 12 months but had treated it more like a sideline hobby and all of a sudden I thought why?! I love doing this! I need to concentrate on this (and not on that nice and secure job which I also happen to love).
What do you feel makes your target audience special?
I really enjoy working with “mummy-preneurs”. I have a little one at home and understand how hard it is to juggle everything and be everything to everyone. When I see the hours that these women are putting into their business and the guilt that they feel as it sometimes takes them away from their families, it just makes me want to help them even more!
Why did you decide to build your WordPress site yourself?
I am more than a little geeky and building a website is something I've always wanted to do but had no idea where to start! And from a business point of view, I wanted to be offer this as a service, and if not building, at least maintenance. I have worked with Joomla before, but never WordPress.
What was the most difficult thing about creating your WordPress site?
I think understanding the initial steps of buying a domain… Then hosting… And then… What? LOL! Putting all those initial steps together was definitely the hardest but once I had hit the Dashboard of my site, things got easier!
And then of course, wanting to move something, just a little bit and not knowing coding to be able to do it! Haha!
What was the easiest thing about it?
Understanding the WordPress dashboard. It is all quite logical when you get into it.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
Do your homework first and don't necessarily listen to all the “rah rah” coaches that will tell you to quit your job and follow your dreams… You need to be realistic. Understand that clients and income don't just appear once you decide to launch. There are A LOT of hours to be put in before that happens!
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
I wouldn't have spent so much time reading motivational quotes from “Rah Rah” coaches on Facebook! LOL! I wouldn't have procrastinated so long to get started and still to this day I would like to spend more time marketing myself because without marketing, no one knows your business exists!
How long did it take you to build your WordPress site?
I did it within your 5 Days, but it is a continual work in progress and I make tweaks to it regularly.
How do you promote your site?
I primarily push it within my networking groups and am working on the SEO. I have just this week signed up to an SEO course so am looking forward to putting what I learn into practice on my own site.
Do you have an email list, and if so, what is the most effective way you have grown your email list?
Ummm… No. And I know this is the cardinal sin of websites! It will be happening in the VERY near future though.
Do you earn money from your site, and if so, how? Affiliate marketing, ads, products, etc.?
I advertise my services and packages on my site but am actually halfway through working with a copywriter at the moment and will be taking all prices off. I am considering adding a link to another page for affiliate programs…
Who are your favorite bloggers or podcasts?
My favourite blogging/advice sites and facebook pages are definitely Flying Solo and Post Planner.
You can connect with Jemma on her website at www.yourvirtualasset.com and on Facebook.
