Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category

It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Clara Fyffe on Saturday, June 26, 2010.

Clara never stopped fighting her battle against cancer, and she always wished to resume her work as a virtual assistant.  She is one of the most courageous people I have ever known, even though she and I never met face to face – except through video chatting.

She told me frequently how important our industry was to her, and the blessings of numerous friends she met while virtual assisting.  Some of her fondest memories were made ‘computer to computer’.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls, WI.  I will post more when I know the details.

Clara Fyffe,  July 1947 – June 2010

Rest in peace.

Clara’s Bio:

Clara Fyffe is the owner of All-Write Virtual Office, established in July 1995 in Evansville, Indiana.

Prior to opening her business, Clara worked in the accounting office of a major auto dealership. When that office reorganized, she found herself out of work and divorced. In hopes of improving her life, Clara chose to return to college and signed up at the University of Southern Indiana. In May 1992, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, Journalism and Creative Writing. Clara had always enjoyed writing and worked as a reporter for the campus newspaper, “The Shield.” Following graduation, she wrote feature articles for the “Boonville Standard” newspaper. She then worked as editor for the regional print magazine “Road Trippin’” and advanced to writing her own monthly column, “Mom’s Musings,” an ongoing series of articles relating to the trials, tribulations, triumphs and tricks of her college student son.

Following a serious auto accident in 1994, resulting to injuries to her back and legs, Clara found that she could no longer work outside the home. After talking to another woman who wanted to close her home secretarial business, Clara learned all she could and opened her own company, then named “All-Write Creative Writing and Printing.” She did most of her marketing by word of mouth, but also used the Internet, searching out those with like interests, joining multiple “writing chat rooms” to make her presence known. By doing so, she acquired many high-paying projects.

In November 1998, Clara moved to Bloomington, Indiana, to be near her family. She immediately sought out the expertise of her local SBDC and took courses to further her abilities for re-opening her business in its new location. She also chose a new name, “All-Write Virtual Office,” and created a new logo, as well. She set up an extensive home office and got to work, enjoying every minute of it.

Then, in September 2002, a direct hit by an F-4 tornado destroyed Clara’s home, office and car. It took nearly a year – and the support of the IAVOA community – to get through the insurance red tape and re-outfit her business in a new location and home. One year later, she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and underwent brain surgery on October 8, 2003. Two years later, she is again moving her business forward. As before, the IAVOA community helped tremendously in supporting her and urging her not to give up.

Clara fought and repelled lung cancer and was in remission for almost a year before it reappeared in a different spot.  This time, although she fought bravely, it was just not to be.

Worldwide Virtual Assistant Certification Program Celebrates First Year Anniversary

As more and more businesses look toward affordable, online solutions to sustain and grow their bottom line in a tough economy, virtual assistants are enjoying increased demand for their services. But until recently, virtual assistants have struggled to meet demand from prospective clients who often feel uncertain about the benefits of outsourcing. This is especially true, however, in a virtual environment where the negotiation process cannot happen face to face.

The assurances that come with certification will prove immeasurable to business owners and managers who may have considered outsourcing support tasks to a VA in the past but could not justify the understandable risk of hiring an unknown.

VACertified.com is proud to announce the Certification of over 20 Virtual Assistants worldwide. To view the certified virtual assistants please visit the online directory at http://vacertified.com/virtual-assistant-directory/.

The US
Advisor, Kathy Ritchie, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kathy Ritchie is proud to be on the board of VACertified.com, and excited to further the reputation of the Virtual Assistant Industry by being part of the skills certification process.  “I believe this certification process is one of the smartest ideas to come to our industry in a long time,” Ritchie said.  “It can be difficult for clients to even realize they need a virtual assistant, when they contract with a VACertified virtual assistant who has been evaluated by a global panel of experts they know their virtual assistant is one of the best in the world.”

Virtual Assistants who go through the VAcertified process are evaluated by industry leaders and specialized consultants from around the world on qualities that matter most to clients, namely:

1. Professional experience and work history
2. Education and training, both government and private
3. Virtual assistance industry awareness and contributions
4. Level of experience as a business owner, online or off

VAcertified.com is the only internationally recognized virtual assistant certification program in the world that evaluates applicants based on a broad spectrum of personal and professional traits.

The VAcertified.com seal tells prospective clients that a global panel of experts has thoroughly reviewed a virtual assistant’s skills, experience and professional ethic. To learn more about becoming a certified Virtual Assistant or to discover the benefits of hiring a certified Virtual Assistant, visit http://www.VAcertified.com

About VAcertified

VAcertified.com is the go-to resource for virtual assistants who want credible, unbiased and international recognition for their skills, education, professional experience and industry contributions. Devoted to creating and growing a certification program that embraces diversity, VAcertified.com strives to enhance and evolve professional relationships between VA and client. Follow @VAcertified on Twitter for up to date information about this worldwide certification program for Virtual Assistants.

For more information contact:
Tawnya Sutherland
Founder, VAcertified.com
866-943-6665
info@VAcertified.com
Follow @VAcertified on Twitter

I’m happy to share that I was featured in a Success Strategies Interview with long time client, the Elder Group, LLC.  You can read the interview online at their website http://www.eldergroupusa.com/ritchie.html or on their blog, www.eldergroupusa.com/blog

Thanks! Kathy

I’ve been working a great deal with WordPress blogs.  Updating them, customizing them, tweaking them.  I’ve discovered I really like working on them.  So much so, that I’ve decided to add blog administration, posting, syndicating and so on.  I’m thrilled with it!

Let me know if you’re interested in a custom theme for your blog!   The VA Factory and the theme used here are not for sale. The Green Grass theme is free, let me know if you want it, and the San Francisco theme is for sale.  Contact me for details.

I’m so very excited – one of my photos has made it into the July 2009 Edition of ShutterBug Magazine! Out of thousands of shots they get for every “Picture This” section, one of mine was chosen, and not even the one I thought was the best! I guess this goes to show that I’m not always the best judge of my photography!

Here’s a screenshot, but if you happen to go to Wal-Mart, you’ll find me on page 10!

Page 10

Thanks and have a great rest of your day!

Kathy Ritchie