California's unemployment rate is now the highest it's been in nearly 70 years. While some are still struggling to find a new job as an employee, there are those with the entrepreneurial spirit who have decided to create their own job by becoming a business owner - an entrepreneur. This is a growing trend here in Sacramento. A rapidly growing industry is that of virtual assistants, also know as VAs. Though small business owners cut back on expenses and lay off employees, they still need have ... SueCanfield boardinmom comment-33562 2010-07-26T20:21:52Z 2010-07-26T20:21:52Z Sue I would be interested in attending the VA group. Could you post information here regarding the group's meeting time, place, cost etc. Additionally, I heard that Sierra College was offering a VA certificate program. Do you happen to have any information regarding that program? boardinmom 2010-07-26T20:21:52Z Amanda Lawson comment-23295 2010-03-15T06:34:51Z 2010-03-15T06:34:51Z Wow! All this time I lived in Sacramento...and didn't know I wasn't in Northern California. That's funny! Thank you for a great article Sue! Amanda Lawson 2010-03-15T06:34:51Z bob4556 comment-18947 2009-12-08T19:39:55Z 2009-12-08T19:39:55Z The <a href="http://quick.catchfriday.com/2009/11/07/why-a-virtual-assistant-is-the-perfect-assistant.aspx">Virtual Personal Assistant</a> can be the perfect assistant for companies. This is because companies get the results with less of the cost and less of the stress. The major advantage of hiring a <a href="http://quick.catchfriday.com/2009/11/07/why-a-virtual-assistant-is-the-perfect-assistant.aspx">Virtual Personal Assistant</a> instead of hiring a regular office worker is that it comes out cheaper for the company. bob4556 2009-12-08T19:39:55Z dontbhatin comment-16482 2009-10-27T18:13:43Z 2009-10-27T18:13:43Z Dear Savannagh, maybe you should consult a MAP or a GPS before you display ignorance for all the world to see. Last time I checked, the Bay Area is actually SOUTH WEST of Sacramento. Any first-grader can tell us that, if SF is south of Sacramento, and SF is in Northern California, then Sacramento is also in Northern California. I will leave you with two parting thoughts: 1) Your comments only show what an idiot you are and 2) WHO gives a %@&! anyways! dontbhatin 2009-10-27T18:13:43Z Sue Canfield comment-14679 2009-09-29T23:22:31Z 2009-09-29T23:22:31Z Hi Kassandra. There are quite a few successful VAs in and around the Sacramento area. In addition to providing administrative tasks, many also do advise their clients regarding marketing ideas. More and more solo professionals who don't want to hire an employee or pay for an office are utilizing the services of virtual assistants. You are right that building a trusting relationship is the key. I have been fortunate enough to have built trust to the point that clients can refer me sight unseen. Thank you for your comment. Sue Canfield 2009-09-29T23:22:31Z Savannagh comment-14587 2009-09-28T20:53:17Z 2009-09-28T20:53:17Z interesting, but this meetup group is NOT in Northern California and can't speak for the VA's that DO live in Northern California. How does a city in Sacramento call themselves Northern California? Northern California is SF, Bay Area, Peninsula area. The meet up group should change their name to Grass Valley VA Meetup! Savannagh 2009-09-28T20:53:17Z Kassandra Perlongo comment-14398 2009-09-25T19:52:11Z 2009-09-25T19:52:11Z I'm curious to know how successful these virtual assistants are here in Sacramento. It almost sounds like they are working as consultants. I can see this becoming more popular, more and more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute part time. But many business owners may still pretty old school and want to see their assistants in the office helping them. Ultimately, this may just boil down to trust and forming a good business partnership over the internet and phone. Interesting article! Kassandra Perlongo 2009-09-25T19:52:11Z