Christian Home Business Connection

Today, we are talking with Terri Brooks of http://www.avirtualbiz.com.  Please visit her website and see how she can help you grow your business.

1.   Can you tell us what business you are in?

I am a Certified Social Media Trainer and Consultant.  I help entrepreneurs quickly understand the incredible benefits of using social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to build a strong and profitable online business in just 30 minutes a day.

2.  How long have you been doing your business?

I started my business in the spring of 2007 as a virtual assistance business to utilize skills I had acquired in my 35+ year career.  However, I quickly saw the future of social networking and also saw the need to teach small business owners and entrepreneurs like myself, how to use these tools to grow their business.

3.  How many hours a week do you usually work?

I usually work 24-30 hours each week.   I plan time each Friday to work “on” my business rather than “in” my business.

4.  Tell us what an average day is like for you.

An average day begins around 9am with checking and responding to email, checking all my social media sites for new requests for friends or responding to my inbox inquires.   Then I have several clients with regular weekly online meetings where we strategize and plan the week’s tasks.  THen I begin to work on client projects, and responding to new prospects who are looking for social media consultation.   My day typically ends around 3:30 and I begin dinner for my husband and I.   In the evening, I will occasionally come back into the office to finish up a project for a client or to get a head-start on the next day’s activities.

5.  How long did it take for your business to become profitable?

As with most businesses, you have a lot of expense in the beginning.  I was fortunate that I had most of the equipment to begin my business and my business was able to show a profit within 1 year.’

6.  What is one piece of advice or tip you could give someone who wants to get started in the same type of business you’re in?

The best piece of advice I can give someone looking to have a business like mine is to have a passion to help others.  I love what I do, not only because social networking is the “hot” topic of the decade, but because it can help so many small business owners and entrepreneurs launch their online business with a low start-up cost.  It is an absolute must to stay up-to-date on all the news in this industry and connect with others who are in this business and ask someone to be a mentor.

7.  Anything additional you would like to share?

Working from home is wonderful, but there are times you must establish rules for yourself or you will quickly “burn out” and  your dream of being a home based business owner will quickly fade.  Learn all you can about the industry you want to serve.  Take classes, attend seminars, and look for leaders to pattern yourself after.  One of the best decisions I made in 2009 was to hire a business coach to help me move my business to a higher level.  This one thing can truly make an incredible impact on your business and your life.

My thanks to Terri, for being with us and all the great information she has provided!