Online Biz Member Success Blog

Maria Elena Duron, Buzz to Bucks Connections | personal branding agency

Your Name: Maria Elena Duron

Name of Business: Buzz2Bucks.com

Type of business: chief buzz agent | inspiring identity coach

What does your business do? Building compelling connections through inspiring identity:  career upgrades, business growth and increased influence, brand development through emotional intelligence ~ vision casting ~ networking ~ image ~ etiquette ~ presentation ~ relationship marketing

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? 

January 2006 - My oldest son accidently shot my other son - after the trauma, physical therapy, and life changing surgery -- all the sudden I figured out with laser focus what was most important and what was least important in my life. It's my hope to bring that stellar focus to other entrepreneurs without the traumatic experience.

How many people in your company?  20 people - 2 in person/ 18 virtually

What's your office location like?  It's an office space created in my home with a "meeting office" located at the Hispanic Chamber's Incubator Project.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   Believing in yourself everyday - even the days when you're not making and things are the way you would exactly like - keeping the vision of what you want it to be.

What's the most fun part?  Seeing my clients reach success and sharing their success with my family.

Anything you would have done differently?  I would of started at this business sooner.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  To develop more residual income products and touch more lives.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Business is not easy - it's consuming and it can be overwhelming. Keep the vision of what you want and your priorities in front of you always - even your family.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  It shortcuts the forms, information and experience I need. I don't have time to fool around in business or get distracted. This is my one stop entrepreneur shop.

Personal Info:

School

Texas Tech University, BBA - Marketing. Graduate studies University of Phoenix and Cornell University. Coaching studies at Corporate Coach University.

Prior jobs or business?

Franchise owner, Referral Marketing Group; Professional Fundraiser.

Favorite food?  Wing Stop!

What are your pets' names?  Rocky

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  No, in fact, I have to make sure it's his nap time when I make phone calls so they don't hear barking in the background if he feels that there's someone in the yard!

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  When I was at a huge corporate gala ball in a fancy hotel while my son was receiving his basketball team award - I was in the wrong place.

Website URL:

http://www.buzz2bucks.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Karen Schatz, Virtually With You Virtual Assistance

Your Name: Karen Schatz

Name of Business: Virtually With You Virtual Assistance

Type of business: Virtual Assistant/Virtual Business Manager

What does your business do? I help my clients implement 1ShoppingCart - a specific online-based system that can help run, automate and grow their coaching and consulting practice by creating multiple streams of revenue.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started my VA biz in June 2006 because I had an inner desire to be my own boss and create a life that fits my style -- a little unstructured and unencumbered (I don’t like to work typical M-F 9-5 hours and I don’t want a career that dictates those hours).

How many people in your company?  Just lil’ old me (for now).

What's your office location like?  I live in a 3-story townhouse and my office fluctuates from the 2nd floor bedroom converted into office to the living room couch to my outdoor haven on my deck. The office is painted with muted gold walls and one accent wall faux-painted in a garnet-colored leather look. The furniture is cream-colored French-country design with cherry wood tops. The living room is a comfortable European country style and the colors are camel, hunter green and garnet. The pine hardwood floors are just divine! But the deck is my very favorite place … fully closed-in double deck with privacy fence stained a natural pine color with an 8’x8’ canopy tent that houses my comfortable outdoor furniture with gold and garnet striped cushions! Are you seeing a theme here?

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   Becoming disciplined enough to avoid distraction due to the influx of emails that come in throughout the day. Also, avoiding getting lost in non-billable type work.

What's the most fun part?  Knowing that my practice is filled with the most fabulous clients whose work is energizing and engaging. The very bestest part is when I produce at my highest level because I feel so incredibly proud of myself. Working at my optimum is a heady-rush!

Anything you would have done differently?  I should have decided on my target market and niche from the beginning. Once I decided who to work with and what my specialty was, clients were seeking me out via Google and my practice began to fill at an unbelievable rate of speed. Thanks to Donna Gunter’s coaching, which was critical to my success.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  Adding assistants to help me so that I can continue to grow my VA biz plus creating multiple streams of income through strategic alliances, joint ventures and referral programs.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Be a life-long learner and always be willing to invest in personal development (starting with a reputable training institute like AssistU.com.)

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  Read my story here.

Personal Info:

Schooling?  AA Degree in Business Administration, P.G. Community College, Largo, MD

Prior jobs or business?  Office Manager/DTP for organizational development consulting firm, Administrative Assistant for commercial real estate developer, Administrative Assistant for Bose Corp.

Favorite food?  Everything ethnic

What are your pets' names?  Amber (dog), Precious (cat) and Jalen (cat)

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  They are good company.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  I come from a family of entrepreneurs (mom, 2 brothers, uncle).

Website URL:

http://www.VirtuallyWithYou.com 

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.