Rescue Desk Blog

Vanessa Andruz is the owner of Andruz Business Solutions LLC. She was an Executive Assistant for many years, but after turning 50, she became tired of corporate politics and decided it was time for a change. After researching different career moves, she found her calling and became a Virtual Assistant.

She had some challenges while setting up her business – her mother insisted on “helping”, her ex-husband gave her grief about quitting her job – but she persevered and now has a successful Virtual Assistance business. She has created a series of e-books (The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz) which chronicle her VA journey – ex-husband and all.

Rachel:  It’s good to see you again, Vanessa.
Vanessa:  Hi, Rachel! It’s nice of you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to chat with me.

R:  It’s my pleasure. Since I worked with you on these e-books…
V:  And what a wonderful job you did! I know Melodee wouldn’t have gotten these first three e-books done without the critical research you provided. And I know my readers will be thrilled with all the resource links that you found for the end of each e-book.

R:  Thank you. I’m glad I could help. Would you like to tell my readers why you decided to create your e-books?
V:  Of course! When I was thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant, I researched everything – what kind of business structure was best for me, how to set up my home office, how to determine my rates, the best ways to market my business, getting over my fear of networking, and how to blog. It was quite a lot of work to gather all of that information!

That’s why I’ve created The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistant series. It’s a way to make the transition to Virtual Assistant easier and faster for others.

R:  I know you had some help with the writing of the e-books…
V:  Yes, I did. My writing partner and long-time friend, Melodee Patterson of Short-term Solutions did help me with the actual writing of the e-books. So far, we’ve released the first three e-books and we’re working hard on the rest.

R:  So there are currently three e-books?
V:  Yes. The first one, Vanessa Has a Dream, is free to download. It describes how I left my job and decided to become a Virtual Assistant. It’s an unbelievable story, but I swear my adventures are as real as I am.

In the second e-book, Vanessa Becomes a Virtual Assistant, I discovered my company name – with a little help from the Universe, created a business plan template, and decided on a business structure. And the business plan template is downloadable.

The third e-book, Vanessa Sets Up Her Home Office, is full of practical advice on choosing the right office equipment and supplies for your own VA business. There are research notes about computers, fax machines, scanners, ways to access the internet, and lots of other good stuff.

If a prospective VA follows me through the entire series, they’ll have a completed business plan for their own business!

R:  Where can my readers download your e-books?
V:  They can go to the E-books page of my current website.

R:  How can they contact you if they have any questions?
V:  They can email me and I’m also on Facebook.

R:  I know the series is about more than just becoming a Virtual Assistant.
V:  Oh, Lordy – yes. I thought I’d make the series more interesting by talking about other things that were going on in my life when I set up my business. Like my new-age, aura-reading mother, and my golf-crazy father. I can’t forget my best friend Marci – she’s a sweetie. I would like to forget my ex-husband Mark, though!

R:  Yes, they’re a bunch of characters, all right. You’re a real character yourself, Vanessa.
V:  (giggles) Yes, I really am a “character.” But I don’t believe you have to be a real person in order to create helpful and fun e-books, do you?

 R:  Of course not. I don’t discriminate against anyone – certainly not fictional characters.
V:  Well, you’re a very open-minded person. I appreciate that.

R:  Well, Vanessa, it’s been fun seeing you again and talking about your e-books.
V:  Thanks, Rachel. And thank you for all your help. I appreciate that, also.