Virtual Assistant Association for Administrative Support Consultants

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce was formed by industry veteran Danielle Keister in 2006 as a professional association devoted exclusively to meeting the unique business needs of administrative support consultants everywhere. Our community is passionate about helping each other grow stronger, more financially successful practices that bring us greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction.

Welcome! I'm Danielle Keister, founder of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. I started this organization as a way to give back to my profession and help other administrative consultants find the kind of success I've achieved in my own Virtual Assistant practice over the past 12+ years.

This is a wonderful profession to be in. I literally have to pinch myself just about every day when I marvel at the wonderful life I get to lead being self-employed, doing work I love and working with clients I enjoy and who value and appreciate what I have to offer. While I might pinch myself in gratitude, it was no accident that I get to live the life I lead. It is a direct result of intention and consciousness about what I want for my life, how I choose to live, what I am here to do and what actions and understandings in business lead me to those things.

At the same time, it's not exactly easy to make a real living in this business when you first start out. It took me many years to get where I am today. But it doesn't have to take you as long. This site and all my offerings are geared toward helping make the path much easier for you.

Who We Serve

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a Virtual Assistant organization especially for administrative consultants who are serious about their profession and view what they do as a highly-skilled craft. We believe that by helping Virtual Assistants become better business people and run more sustainable practices, we not only elevate the profession overall, we also better serve clients. The stronger we all are in business, the better we then educate the marketplace. As a result, Virtual Assistants will have a wider range of more informed industries seeking our administrative support, which benefits everyone in finding clients and commanding professional fees.

While much of the information and resources offered here is helpful to all kinds of service providers and business models, my particular passion is helping administrative support specialists in solo practice deal with their unique challenges in earning well and creating successful businesses. This site and organization is especially for them.

What We Stand For

As a Virtual Assistant organization, the VACOC stands for quality, substance and excellence. This is a value I feel very strongly about. Hey, you can't grow if you aren't expected to think bigger and do better. I am about challenging Virtual Assistants to stretch outside their comfort zones, think in new ways, and view who they are and what they do as administrative experts from a completely new and innovative perspective.

How to Use Our Site

I welcome anyone and everyone to use the information and resources on our site pages here. If you find something helpful, that's awesome. We try to keep things organized and easy to peruse so just start clicking on the navigation links over in the left sidebar there. You'll find all kinds of goodies and we're always adding new stuff. Some of the highlights include:

• Virtual Assistant business forms, guides and tools
• Free Virtual Assistant Ethics Pledge badge
• Free Client Guide button
• Directory of free software
• The Gritty VA Blog

As a Virtual Assistant, what are some of the things you'd like to achieve?

• A full roster of monthly retainer clients.
• A financially profitable, self-sustaining practice
• Ideal clients who are enjoyable to work with
• A business that earns enough money that I could quit my day job.
• A Virtual Assistant business that earns more than I ever made as an employee (dare I dream--perhaps even a six-figure income!)
• To make more money working less hours and with fewer clients.
• The time and freedom to enjoy life beyond my business.

I'd love to help you! Just for administrative support specialists, I've created a free Virtual Assistant forum as a safe-haven where Virtual Assistants can ask questions and explore new ways of operating and thinking that will help them achieve these goals as solopreneurs. Qualified and approved applicants will find a truly personal, close-knit learning and networking experience. This is where I share a bit more of my mentoring and guidance with business-minded administrative experts looking for more success in their practices. It's where we all get together to brainstorm, vet ideas and learn best practices from each other in a fun, supportive environment filled with camaraderie and collaboration, not competition.

The Virtual Assistants who join our ranks are driven and committed to making their business a success. They are tired of working themselves to the bone and still not making any money. They want to learn how it can be done better, easier and more efficiently with greater profitability and superior client service. They want to talk about real business and learn proven strategies for marketing, finding clients, navigating the consultation process and setting foundations in their business that will lead to true growth, freedom, financial success and personal satisfaction. If you are ready to be challenged to think in new ways and grow your business to an entirely different level, it is our sincere pleasure to support you.

To your success!

Danielle Keister
Founder & Virtual Assistant Expert
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce