A New Way to “Watch” the Radio August 27, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Grand Opening, Health, Internet Cafe, Life, Live Streaming, Live Web Streaming, Radio show, Talk Show, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Web TV, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, charity, entrepreneur, marketing, small business owner, talent show.1 comment so far
One of the first clients I contracted with when I started my virtual assistance business last year was Ingrid Gee. She is a sweet, petite blond that called me up one day and said, “I really need your help.” To say that the last year has been an adventure for us would be an understatement.
Through many obstacles and setbacks, she has developed an incredible new concept in the way we listen to 
Talk Radio, and it is about to launch in September. The Cherries Internet Cafe, will officially open it’s doors on September 8th in downtown Knoxville Tennessee. There will be nine live shows produced daily, and a “live” web feed will allow Internet users to not only hear the radio show, but to watch it in “real” time!
Visitors to the cafe will have the opportunity to bring in their own laptops and connect to the Free WiFi, or use one of the Cafe’s computers with full Internet connections. There will also be iPod and iPhone chargers at every booth.
Feeling a little hungry? They’ve gotcha covered! The Lunchbox will be providing tasty meals for purchase, as folks come down to view the live shows taking place behind a floor to ceiling 500 square foot glass studio. And if you’re not hungry, try a freshly brewed cup of tea at the Daisy Pot Tea Bar.
There will also be a daily talent, cooking, charity and health show, as well as several others. For more information about the shows and all the great fun taking place on Market Square in downtown Knoxville Tennessee, visit their website at Cherries Internet Cafe.
One of my responsiblities as Ingrid’s VA is to virtually plan the Grand Opening of this amazing Cafe. So if you are in the Knoxville area, stay tuned for a fun-filled week of Grand Opening specials and surpises.
Do you have Grand Opening ideas? I’d love to hear them.
August 25, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Virtual Assistant.add a comment
Editing a new ezine for a client and watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Simple, Practical and Easy Fundraising Tips August 19, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Home-based business, Internet Marketing, Networking, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, author, entrepreneur, fundraising, marketing, mentor, non-profit, philanthropy, seminar, small business owner, speakers, trainer, training.2 comments
Wouldn’t it be great if someone could help all those struggling non-profit organizations with their fundraising program? Just to find someone who understands their needs and can offer a simple plan for meeting and exceeding their goals?
Well, I know of just a person. She is an incredible teacher, coach, mentor and Master Trainer for non-profit fundraisers and I have the privilege of working with her as her virtual assistant. She is Sandy Rees, Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and one of 125 Master Trainer’s in the world for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Typically, as a virtual professional I don’t leave the “virtual office” very often, however, I have had the opportunity to travel with Sandy recently to other AFP chapters in the South and watch her in action. To say she is awesome, is truly an understatement. She is captivating, funny, knowledgeable, engaging and right-on with her information. People comment as they walk away from her training sessions that they can’t wait to get back to the office and implement the ideas Sandy gave them. Now just how many times have you been anxious to get back to the office?
This is me at Sandy’s table at the Chattanooga Center for Nonprofits Philanthropy Institute
Sandy is a published author of Fundraising Buffet, A Heaping Helping of 101 Practical Ideas to Increase Donations and Deepen Donor Satisfaction. If you are looking for a dynamic speaker, an engaging trainer or a practical, step-by-step approach to fundraising, then look no further than Sandy Rees, CFRE or check her out at GetFullyFunded.
I’m currently out of the office, and won’t be returning August 14, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Blogging, Business, Efficiency, Ezine, Ezines, Family, Home-based business, Internet Marketing, Life, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, blogs, career, entrepreneur, job loss, laid off, marketing, retirement, small business owner.add a comment
That is an autoresponder I received from a friend of mine when I recently sent out my ezine Gifts. At first glance, I thought that was the funniest thing I had ever read. I thought, how clever she is. She has decided to retire early from her job and has left a comical message for her co-workers and friends.
Well, unfortunately, that was not the case. She happened to call me that same week and after laughing hysterically about the autoresponder, she told me that she had been laid off from her job because of what else? Downsizing due to a lost contract (she works for a governmental agency). She had been with this company for 18 1/2 years! She was devastated, but I told her to stay positive, that God was in control of this situation.
As more and more people are “downsized” and asked to take early retirement, home-based businesses will become increasingly popular and almost the norm. When I decided to start a home-based business more than a year ago, I had no idea if it would work, if I can handle the stress of running my own business and taking care of my family from the same space and if the services I provide would be needed. But I’m happy to report that all is good in my virtual world! My business is growing day by day. I am providing a very beneficial service to other business owners, freeing them up to manage their business. And my plans are to utilize the services of other virtual professionals to assist and support my business as part of my virtual team.
If you have been thinking of starting a home-based business, I would highly recommend it and there are many great resources out there to guide you along the path. If your background is in administration, like me, check out
or visit our website at www.avirtualbiz.com for other links and resources to help with your online success. Take charge of your career, and always be In The Office and In Control of your future.
You Never Know Who’s Listening August 4, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Family, Home-based business, Life, Networking, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, entrepreneur, marketing, small business owner, web design, web development, websites.2 comments
My husband and I were in the grocery yesterday and ran into a former neighbor. As we were catching up on family happenings and neighborhood gossip, she asked me where I was working now. I told her I had my own business and that I provided administrative and management support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Sometimes, people give me that “deer-in-the-headlights” look when I say this, so I in an attempt to make it a little more understandable for her, I told her I developed databases and websites for people. That got an “Oh, great” from her. Just over her should I noticed a lady at the meat counter who turned around and smiled at me.
After we said goodbye and I made my way to the meat counter to select a juicy steak for dinner, the lady that had smiled at me was still standing there. She turned and said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation and I heard you say you built websites. I need one.”
Well, who would have ever thought that just catching up with an old neighber would produce a new client, but it looks like it just might. I exchanged information for her and asked her to give me a call and I would discuss developing the website. She told me that her daughter is in high school and wants a website that she can use as her online portfoilo as she begins to apply for colleges. What a great idea!
Later, as my husband and I were sitting down to enjoy those delicious steaks, I told him you just never know who’s listening or where you are going to find someone that needs your services. Even at the meat counter at the local grocery store.
