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Today Kara's Project Manager, Jess Cook, is here to talk about her work as a Virtual Assistant and Project Manager in the Fiber Arts industry. Jess works for a variety of creative business owners, most of whom are in the fiber arts industry. She creates email newsletters, blog posts, website copy, and educational content for her clients so that they can focus on the most important work of running their businesses and growing their empires.
"Be open to the conversations that come up in your daily life where you can find an opening to offer your services."
-Jess Cook
[Tweet "Learning about the world of Virtual Assisting from @JessCookOnline on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Episode highlights:
- Jess works at Power Purls creating the show notes for each episode and writing the weekly newsletter content.
- Working with Jess has helped Kara make time for more content like this.
- Jess got her first job in the area of virtual assisting from a friend she met at a local knitting group. Ahh the power of knitting!
- If you want to start off as a Virtual Assistant, you don’t need a lot of specialized skills; you can with basic tasks.
- If you can familiarize yourself with a few key software programs and apps, you can do very basic skills and earn a living as a Virtual Assistant.
- The skills you take for granted in yourself are marketable skills that you can use to provide a service for someone else!
- If you want to get started as a VA, join groups where creative business owners hang out and talk about their problems.
- Find a niche so you can narrow your service focus and find business owners who really fit your skill set.
- Go to a favorite business owner and offer to help them run their business. You never know when they might need help!
- Tell everyone you know that you’re looking to work as a VA; then as they hear of people who need help they will refer you!
- Most people start off at an hourly rate of somewhere from $15-$25/hour, depending on their level of experience and expertise.
- You don’t need a formal website, but you should have a landing page for people to learn about you and find contact information.
- If you can get going with just one client, ask them to refer you and give you a testimonial to put on your site or social media.
- Don't be afraid to just get started!
Learn more about Jess:
Her website - Jess Cook Online
Instagram: @JessCookOnline
Facebook: Facebook.com/JessCookOnline
Twitter: @JessCookOnline
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara welcomes Tara Swiger back to the show! Tara first appeared in episode 61, and now she's back to talk about the ways her business has changed since she was last here - including an increased focus on the practice of mindfulness. Tara has worked with makers and artists for seven years, helping them learn to explore their own enthusiasm and build businesses they love. Now she has a new branch of her business, helping people who want to build a business that doesn't include handmade products. In today's special episode, which premieres here and on Tara's own podcast, Tara and Kara discuss their thoughts on mindfulness and share tips for how you can build a mindfulness practice of your own.
“Mindfulness is just paying attention - to where you are and how you feel. From there, you can make better decisions."
-Tara Swiger
[Tweet "Building a #mindfulness practice with @TaraSwiger and @KaraKnits on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Episode highlights:
- Tara has been helping makers and artists build businesses for 7 years.
- Since then she has built another arm of her business, using essential oils.
- Tara loves learning new business models and finding solutions for people who want to build a business.
- Kara says that mindfulness is part of her business/life plan.
- Tara defines mindfulness as being aware in the present moment and paying attention.
- Kara notes that you can’t just say “I’m going to be more mindful!” It takes work to build a habit.
- When you’re doing what you love for a living, it’s important to stop and pay attention to how great that is!
Mindfulness Tips & Tricks from Kara and Tara:
- The apps they love: Headspace and Insight Timer
- Tara puts her phone on airplane mode when she needs to focus on her work. She also turns off all notifications on her phone.
- Kara will record a meditation, slogan, or affirmation on her phone so she can refer to them later.
- Kara likes using her journal to record the positive benefits she sees from her meditation practice.
- Kara and Tara both like to go to a special spot in their homes where they can build a habit of mindfulness in that space.
- Tara uses scent (essential oils) to help with her mindfulness practice. You can use any essential oil you like – if you get in the habit of using it before you meditate then soon that scent will trigger a desire to meditate in you. She also uses essential oils to help encourage herself to change her feelings.
- Kara recommends attending in-person mindfulness events and group meditations whenever possible. There's a special energy you can get in this setting that you can't get from an app!
Learn more about Tara:
Tara first appeared in Episode 61 - listen here
Website: TaraSwiger.com and EssentialEnthusiasm.com
Instagram: @TaraSwiger and @EssentialEnthusiasm
Her podcasts: Explore Your Enthusiasm and Essential Enthusiasm
Facebook: Facebook.com/TaraSwigerPage
Twitter: @TaraSwiger
YouTube channel: TaraSwiger.com/youtube
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/Tara_Swiger
Join the Stitchucation Short Row Shawl Challenge!
Take an educational journey all about short row shawls! This challenge, sponsored by the lovely folks at Berrocco, will help you master this shawl shape and empower you on your intuitive shawl-making exploration. Click here to sign up!
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.