Marge Aberásturi | Virtual Assistant

Marge Aberásturi | Virtual Assistant

January 4, 2014, I wrote about my new beginnings.  It was my first entry for 2014.

January 4, 2015, I’m writing about another beginning.  The official launch of my business site, MargeAberásturi.com.

I bought the domain name back in 2012, just to secure the name.  My first [long-term] VA client was an internet marketer, so I know how it works.  Research for a popular keyword, check domain availability, buy it and park for auction.  Very profitable business, if I might add.

The question begs to be asked:  So Marge, you think you’re so popular that someone might actually buy your domain and invest on it?

Of course… NOT! But I can dream, yeah?

Well, let’s just say that I always plan ahead.  I knew the time will come that I will want need to have my name as a domain.  I knew I would need to expand my business, and I knew I wanted the name behind TheHappyWAHM to be recognized, too.

And so I bought the domain, but never actually used it.

In 2013, I tinkered with it a bit.  But my heart was really not into it.  I had no immediate need for the site, no desire to further promote my services as a virtual assistant because I have enough projects anyway.  Why rock the boat?

Then last year, my entrepreneurial spirit kicked into full gear, and I was able to put my business directions on paper.  Seeing pages of where I want to go and how I want to grow inspired me to again entertain the idea of having a business site.  I always tell attendees of my workshops that it is important to have an online presence, be it a blog or a static business site where you can showcase your services.  An online resume.  An online business card.  See, what I know is not always what I do.  Not out of hardheadedness, but only because I have to set my priorities.  I need to attend to income-generating activities first.

But last year, having achieved my goal of having my home office built, I was able to sit down and do some serious planning.  I guess that’s what comes with having a comfortable swivel chair.  You get to feel like the boss that you are, and you get to have that fire in your stomach to go for something bigger than what you already have.

And so, I have one whole notebook – yes, all 50 leaves – filled up with tables and bullet points and narratives of what I have to achieve next.

First stop, my business site.  It still needs a few more pages added, and some more tweaking of the content, but I have learned not to wait too long to start on something.  It does not have to be perfect, just functional.  Plus, I do have to attend to clients’ needs first, so I have make this a work-in-progress with my pockets of time.

headerFor this awesome site, I credit Riz of ChasingDreams.net.  Very intuitive to work with.  It was like working with my partner, The Techie Mom.  Those moments that she would send me a link to a design peg, and I would see just about the same design that I already have on my dummy site.  Well, actually, her choices were prettier.  But allow me to imagine that I have the same aesthetic taste as she does, okay?

And this logo, which is an off-shoot from what I had before…ma-logoMarge Aberásturi

Oh, don’t be confused!  The one on the left is the official logo now, and the one on the right was born out of tinkering with… drum roll… Powerpoint!  So now you know how artistically-gifted I am!

Wait, should this be the post where I tell you my 2015 goals, too?

Let’s see…

In bullets, and not necessarily in any order, they’re as follows.

  • Finish three online courses (same goal as last year).
  • Prepare the kids for PEPT.
  • Learn something new. Don’t know what I want to learn this year yet.  Maybe a foreign language, or coding, or both.
  • Publish an e-book. Scary, but hey, if I have to set a goal, I might as well aim high.
  • Launch my business site.
  • Launch my affiliate marketing site. (My goal for this is January, but in case there are bumps, should be no later than the first quarter.)
  • Connect with the [prospective] clients that I had to say no to last year.
  • Write my holographic will.
  • Get all our family documents in order.
  • Exercise, exercise and exercise.
  • More juicing. More veggies.
  • Take on another hobby. Make time for another hobby.
  • Read more.
  • Market my e-commerce set up service and book at least one client per month. I need referrals, please!
  • Fill my jar of blessings.
  • Blog more.
  • Exercise some more. Do I hear “standing desk?”

Well, there you go!  That’s a long list.  But I hope that I will be proud to write my 2015 year in review by December 31.

For now, please visit my office in cyber, and let me know your thoughts.  All criticisms will be taken constructively, I promise!

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about this post?
Please leave me a message, or post them, at my Facebook Page.

WAHM Expo 2014 Giveaway!

WAHM Expo 2014 Giveaway!

It’s always fun to run a giveaway!  And this one is extra fun for me as I’ll be giving away an unlimited class pass to the WAHM Weekend Expo happening on October 25.  Yey!

The WAHM community has grown exponentially in the past two years, from the time that the first WAHMderful Workshop was organized in 2012, and it continues to grow every day.   More and more professionals are now opting to work from home to escape the horrors of the daily commute.  Mothers who have been staying at home to care for their children are now actively pursuing income-generating activities to help out with the family finances.  In fact, we are no longer limiting this event to just WAHMs.  Everybody’s invited to join us this year, so you can explore the possibility of engaging in a business, or practicing your profession, from the comfort of your home.

So who is everybody?

You, who are a gainfully employed head of the family, but dreaming of spending more time with your little ones because you are missing out on their milestones.

You, who are employed in a company you hate because you are doing tasks you no longer enjoy.

You, who are a creative person but stuck in a technical job.

You, who wake up at 4 am to get to your desk at 7am, and leave your desk at 5pm, but reach home at 8pm.  Darn traffic!

You, who had to miss your daughter’s birthday party because the boss called for a strategic planning on a weekend.

You, who spend almost half your gross salary on transportation, lunch allowance and wardrobe.

You, who have to sacrifice your privacy so you can have a helper to cook your food, clean your house, and take care of your children.

But maybe you are not any of the persons above.  Maybe you just want to be able to work in bed, or at the park, with your bare feet up, without a bra, hair going all directions, and not care.  Or maybe you just want to be able to go see a movie or run your errands on a weekday to avoid long queues.  Or maybe you just want to make everyday cuddle day with your little ones.  Or homeschool!

Whoever you are, and whatever is your motivation, you are invited!

The Happy Work-At-Home Mom

What’s in store for you then?

Here’s how the program looks like.  Yey!  I’m one of the speakers, see?

10:00 to 10:45 am
Business Ideation: Profitable Business Ideas (Speaker: Jeff Cua)
How to Land your First Virtual Assistant Gig (Speaker: Marge Aberasturi)

11:00 to 11:45 am
Managing your Kids while Working at Home (Speaker: Mariel Uyquiengco)
How to Get (and Keep!) Your Freelance Writing Jobs (Speaker: Tina Rodriguez)

1:00 to 1:45 pm
How To Succeed & Not Suck at Social Media Management (Speaker: Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas)
Money Smarts: Beginner Level Investing & Personal Finance (Speaker: Fitz Villafuerte)

2:00 to 2:45 pm
Legalizing Your Business the Hassle-Free Way (Speaker: Dandy C. Victa)
Retailing Business: Branding and Word of Mouth Through C2C (Speaker: Govind Daswani)

3:00 to 3:45 pm
Computer 101: How to Use and Care for your Investment (Speaker: Jennyfer Ang Tan)
Be a Photo Editor: Basic Photo Editing & Photography Jobs (Speaker: Kimberley Timbol-Reyes)

4:00 to 4:45 pm
How to Create a Winning Business Plan & Reach your Perfect Clients (Speaker: Joy Gurtiza)
Eating Right & Easy Meals when you’re a Busy-holic (Speaker: Lourdes Labii)

And here’s what your investment will look like: 

Entrance Fee (will not attend any talk; fees apply to those who are 21 years old and above only. Children are free to enter): Php 100

Workshop pass (need not pay entrance fee separately):
Php 350 to attend 1 class/topic
Php 900 to attend 3 classes/topics
Php 1500 for an unlimited class pass

But, wait!  I did say that I’m running a giveaway right?  So I’m actually giving one (1) unlimited class pass to one lucky winner! Just join the fun at the link below.  And please spread the love by sharing this link with your friends.  Even if you don’t get lucky, you would have helped a friend.

I’m going to draw the lucky winner on October 17, so there’s still time for you to submit your entry, and help me spread the word.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
And because I’m in a giving mood, as I always am, I’m throwing in a little extra.  If you help me spread the word about the giveaway, and the person you shared it with gets lucky and wins the pass, you, my dear, are going to get The Happy WAHM bag, pictured below.  🙂 The Happy WAHM Bag You can also register for the WAHM Expo here.

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about this post?
Please leave me a message, or post them, at my Facebook Page.

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