Your Name: JoAnne Barton
Name of Business:
EssentialAssociate.com
Type of business: Virtual Business Manager
What does your business do? Helps small business owners manage the
details of their business.
Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? Officially
started August 2004. I wanted to help business owners reach their goals and
utilizing my skills and experience at a higher level would help them achieve
their goals.
How many people in your company? 1 - myself
What's your office location like? My office is the third bedroom
of our three-bedroom house. My husband and I converted it into an office prior
to opening my business. We added shelves to the closet - for storage of office
supplies and equipment. The walls are painted "Lavender Twilight" and depending
on how the light is in the room, it looks blue or light purple.
I'm able to look out the window and see birds in the tree just outside the
window, and squirrels playing along the top of the fence.
What's the toughest part of running your biz? Allowing myself to promote my business. Yes, there is some fear in being on your own, and it has been a big factor in hindering marketing and talking about my business.
What's the most fun part? I truly enjoy meeting new people. I belong to a few online communities, along with speaking with potential clients, I'm able to meet people from all over the U.S. and the world.
Anything you would have done differently?
1. Don't let fear stand in your way!
2. Continued to work part-time while getting my business started so that there
was still an income and then transition full-time into the business.
Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?
Really getting it up and running. I've had some hit and miss opportunities
along the way, and now I want to really showcase my talent and get things
rockin'-n-rollin'
What advice do you have for others? Don't be afraid! Decide on
what you want and go after it! Ask for help when you're not sure, and even when
you ARE sure! Get a different perspective! Be willing to help others along the
way!
How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity? Utilizing
the diversity and experience of the members to move my business forward.
Bouncing off new ideas with the members will allow me to get a different
perspective. Have someone to "rant or rave" to! Getting help when I need it.
Being able to give back to a community that has been helpful to me!
Personal Info:
School
Lee College, Baytown, TX
- Associate of Applied Science Operations Management & Supervision (formerly called Business Management degree)
- Associate of Applied Science Medical Record Technology (now known as Health Information Technology)
Prior jobs or business? A variety of jobs in the Admin field. I've worked in non-traditional medical offices; rehab facility; medial liability insurance. . .
Favorite food? Chocolate, of course!
What are your pets' names?
Skyler, a 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel; Roxy, a 14-year-old Chow Chow; Callie, a
16-year-old gray kitty, Chelsea, a 15-year-old gray kitty and Beaux, an
18-year-old Cockatiel!
Do any of these pets help with your biz? Skyler and Callie hang
out with me in my office. (Skyler will hang in whatever room I'm in, most of
the time.) Callie makes me share my office chair with her. That's her way of
keeping an eye on the business.
What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?
A combination of people. My main reason for going into business for myself was
to be able to take my skills and experience to the next level and really give
100% of me to my clients.
Website URL:
http://www.essentialassociate.com
Recent Comments