Your Name: Michelle Ulrich
Name of Business:
www.MichelleUlrich.com
and
www.TheVirtualNation.com
Type of business: Online Business Manager
What does your business do? We specialize in helping authors, coaches and
speakers who struggle to keep up with eCommerce and new technologies. It's our
job to help our clients focus on the profit centers in their business while we
handle the rest.
Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started my
virtual practice in 2003 after my daughter was sick and I felt guilty for being
at home taking care of her. That was the big ah-ha for me. In working as a
virtual professional, I am able to utilize my best skills, work with the best
clients and also enjoy the flexibility to spend time with my family.
How many people in your company?
What's your office location like? My husband is a contractor and built my office especially for me. My office is 12x16 with bright, happy walls in an Italian yet warm peachy-look. I have tile floor to match with French doors looking out into my half-acre park-like backyard. I have an L-shaped desk with two computers on it and lots of bookshelves for my growing library of eCommerce, Marketing, and Business books. I have another desk opposite mine for extra workspace, my sewing machine or for my daughter's laptop when she's home from her Dad's house. My walls have pictures of my family, drawings my daughter colored for me and artwork to keep me inspired. I love my office and the only thing I would change is to have more closed cupboard space versus all open shelving. Other than that, I am very happy in my beautiful office.
What's the toughest part of running your biz?
The toughest part of running my business is delegating the work as fast as it
comes in to my subcontractors. I also have service gaps so I still do some of
the work myself and that can sometimes cause me to stay up late at night burning
the midnight oil.
I am also working on setting up my processes. I tend to spin my wheels because
I do not have a well-defined process in place. I am working on this!
What's the most fun part? The most fun part of my business is that I get to work with the best clients! I also have fun learning new ways to help my clients be more productive in their businesses, too.
Anything you would have done differently? I would have hired a business coach during the first year of my business. I would have saved myself so much heart-ache, tears and stress over trying to figure everything out on my own.
Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business? I
am working on several business ideas, but I am most excited to learn how to
integrate individual tasks into each idea - basically repurposing ideas for my
multiple ideas/ventures.
What advice do you have for others? Hire a business coach, ask
questions, ask for help and don't be afraid to ask "the stupid question."
Chances are someone has already asked your question and received some answers,
thus, alleviating your stress BEFORE it becomes an issue.
How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity? I am
new to OnlineBizU.com and look forward to sharing my flubs and hiccups as well
as collaborating with some of the greatest colleagues around! I plan to use the
group as a resource center for my business, gain knowledge and be part of a
virtual community.
Personal Info:
School: American River College, Sacramento, CA - AA Degree, Liberal
Studies major, Environmental Biology Mgmt minor
Prior jobs or business? I started out in retail sales (11+ years), then switched to Office Administration as an Administrative Assistant and worked my way up to Office and payroll manager, HR Director.
Favorite food? Anything Italian!
What are your pets' names?
Our cats are Dino and Bella
Do any of these pets help with your biz? Bella sits behind me in my chair and plays with my hair (and scratches my back--not fun!)
What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?
My oldest daughter's bought with Mono was the reason, but my best friend,
Sharon Broughton, was the person who gave me the encouragement to break out on
my own!
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