Released on: September 7, 2007, 2:33 pm

Press Release Author: Canada\'s Virtual Assistant Training Program (VATP) Mary-Lou
Ashton multiva@vatp.ca

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: September 7, 2007 - (Powell River, B.C.) Canada\'s first
Virtual Assistant Training Program (VATP) is celebrating 5 years in business with
another first in the profession - a comprehensive 4-week course on Building a
Multi-VA Business.

Press Release Body: In the mid to late 90\'s a small group of independent
entrepreneurs began developing collaborative relationships with business owners
supporting them in the growth and success of their business. Calling themselves
Virtual Assistants (VA\'s) most of these individuals worked solo. Since the inception
of the profession, there has been tremendous growth in this rising industry to
estimated numbers of 20,000 worldwide.

\"The trends we are seeing today are more Virtual Assistants with full successful
practices looking to expand their businesses as well as an increase in the number of
VA\'s looking for and willing to perform subcontract work for other VA\'s.\" says
Mary-Lou Ashton, a VA since 1997 and the owner/operator of the Virtual Assistant
Training Program.

As a result of the trends and growth of the profession, Ashton has partnered with
Michelle Jamison, owner of MJVA & Associates and author of The Virtual Assistant\'s
Guide to Marketing, to use her latest e-book, The Virtual Assistant\'s Guide to the
Multi-VA Business, for the creation of a new course based on this business model.

\"Not all VA\'s have the skills, time or desire to market or run their own practice,\"
explains Ashton, \"This model provides them with an alternative by allowing the VA to
service clients found and managed by the Multi-VA owner. While the associate VA\'s,
as they are commonly called, remain independent contractors they do not have to
worry about the day to day details or the long term challenges of running a
business.\"

The course curriculum covers the following for participants wanting to build a
Multi-VA company:
. Defining a Multi-VA business
. The pros and cons of two company structures
. The roles of Associate versus business owner with managing clients
. Identifying, finding and hiring ideal Associates
. Associate and client contracts
. Company policies and procedures manual

Facilitated by Jamison herself, the course is designed for experienced Virtual
Assistants who have been in business for at least 2 years. \"The biggest challenge is
where to start and how to sustain and manage a Multi-VA business,\" states Jamison,
\"By providing the knowledge, tools and resources needed to transition from solo VA
to Multi-VA business owner this program supports them in succeeding.\"

For individuals interested in finding out more about building a Multi-VA business or
for those ready to take their business to the next level, visit
http://www.vatp.ca/info/multiva.html or send an email to multiva@vatp.ca .



Web Site: http://www.vatp.ca/info/multiva.html

Contact Details: Mary-Lou Ashton
5418 Laburnum Ave.
Powell River, B.C. V8A 4M7
604-483-3740
marylou@vatp.ca