Today we’d like to introduce you to La Tanya.
What is your full name
La Tanya Jones
Where are you located?
Menifee, CA (Temecula Valley - Wine Country)
What do you currently do and who do you serve?
I provide general administrative services, bookkeeping, project management, payroll, and help create & provide gifting programs to help with client and employee appreciation. I work with small business owners and entrepreneurs that may have office space but have to still maintain their administrative duties such as realtors, insurance agents, etc.
What did you do before you started your own business?
I was an administrative assistant in the healthcare industry for over 20+ years. I supported 2-3 executive directors and department nurse managers at any given time along with other duties assigned, which meant that I worked on a lot of small or large projects outside of my regular work duties. Working in the healthcare industry is where I developed my project management and prioritization skills through an inhouse program.
Share 4 fun facts about you that people should but don't know
Mother of 3 adults two sons 36, 30 & one daughter 21, never married but been with my best friend for 30 years. Since I have moved to Menifee I have taken advantage of enjoying the wine country and wine tasting eating fine foods, and listening to music. I enjoy watching movies, crafting and have started taking golf lessons. I am an introvert by nature so I decided to come out of my shell and join groups that are strong in sisterhood and we do brunch, skate, ride bikes, etc. who ever recommend an adventure I am all in. Lastly, I love to learn. I don't have a degree but I have taken enough classes. I should have a masters by now.
What was the FIRST step you took to launch your business?
I decided to start my business after I was laid off due to COVID-19 my position was eliminated in May of 2020. I didn't start looking for work immediately, I took some time to enjoy and figure out what I wanted to do. After several months of looking for work and not getting anywhere I saw a promotion on FB about creating a Virtual Assistant business. Of course I signed up to listen to the Zoom meeting and listen to the presenter and decided right then and there it was something I could do with all my experience. I dove right in and spoke to a few people about the opportunity and created a business name, logo and purchased the domain name for when I develop my website. I got my first client from a referral and my second client came from a FB group post.
What are some challenges you face in your business daily? How do you overcome those challenges?
The challenge I face is not trusting the process I prayed for. What I mean by that is still looking for that 9-5 job while asking God to help me make my business successful wanting to see that direct deposit every two weeks for security, because I don't have the number of clients I need to meet my financial needs. I don't know if I have overcome it because I did panic and was offered a job by a friend and I went for it against my better judgement and of course it did not work out I believe the Universe was looking out for me and that day I learned that I must trust the process because I still was left without the income and I put my business on hold and starting all over I do still have the two clients that I started with.
How was the transition from (employee) to (boss)? Was it hard to adjust to your WFH, mom or boss life? Or do you still work a 9 to 5 in addition to running your own business?
The transit is hard because I have to put myself out there and get the clients whereas when going to a 9-5 the work is there.
How do you manage it all?
I still use a paper planner and write everything down to manage my time. I am a believer in work life balance that was important to me as a VA that I can control my work time. I don't create a long list to feel like I have to do it all in one day. I was once told if you accomplish two - three things on a list you have accomplished a lot and see it as a win.
What is your favorite productivity tool or hack? My favorite tools are a visual management board and sticky notes.
What do you think is the biggest challenge most business owners face?
Challenges I see that business owners make is not knowing what they need in order to help them grow their business such as client and employee appreciate acknowledgements to create that referral base for their business. Another is not understanding the time they are investing in the administrative part of the business instead of doing what made them want to be a business owner.
What do you do when you're not working? How do you like to relax?
I relax by either going to one of my favorite wineries or watching tv.
Any brunch spots in your city worth mentioning/your favorite spot?
How can we connect with you?
You can reach me on instagram @latanyajonesva
Image Credits: La Tanya Jones
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