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Virtual Assistant Rebounds Quickly After Hurricane Katrina
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast of the United States taking lives, destroying homes, and devastating local economies. Gazelle Simmons, a virtual assistant who was working in Long Beach, Mississippi at the time, is one individual who felt the tremendous impact of this epic natural disaster.
After Hurricane Katrina decimated the area Gazelle lived in, she and her family moved to Newnan, Georgia, where she reopened her home-based business within months. “Re-establishment as a virtual assistant in January has made life much more satisfying,” she shares. “With help from God, good friends, and plenty of clients, I will be here working hard in Georgia for many years to come.”
Gazelle became a virtual assistant in 1998, after gaining experience as an executive assistant for a large oil company. She chose to branch off on her own to fulfill her long-time dream of being self-employed. She says, “I love helping people and this business allows me to do what I do well for others.”
She specializes in data entry, presentations, word processing, database management, editing and proofreading services, mass mailings, form typing, and thesis and manuscript processing. Her primary clients include undergraduate and graduate students, writers, small businesses, independent contractors, website owners, financial advisors, and realtors.
Gazelle promotes her business (www.admnsrvcs.com) through direct mail and by networking in several online business communities. “I've told all of my friends, family, and even my kids know all about what I do,” she says. “I encourage them to send people my way. Word-of-mouth from people who love and care about you can be so good.”
She also spends a great deal of time maintaining her four web sites. One site is based on Bellsouth Personal Pages, one site is based here at Ryze, one site is on Google, and my latest will be with GoDaddy,” she says. “All have links to the other sites, so I'm doing my best to keep them all referring people to me and others.”
Gazelle is now reaping the benefits of her extensive marketing efforts and is busier than ever. However, when asked what she is most proud of, she replies, “Having sustained my business this long, despite setbacks including a cross country move, as well as Hurricane Katrina.” HBM
Previously published in the February 2007 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com
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