www.assistu.com
 

In 92, I made a huge change. I moved myself out of the agency environment and into my own home office. I worked as an outside contractor for the agency, providing my clients with the travel planning and personal assistance they most needed. All of this was done virtually. My client base was international. I was a Virtual Assistant, but didn't realize it, yet. Stacy Brice

www.ivaa.org
 

From her rural home in Connecticut, Christine Durst founded the Virtual Assistance industry in 1995. She believed the Internet could open her door to global business, and she was correct. With Michael Haaren, she co-founded Staffcentrix and IVAA separately but simultaneously -- with the intention of staying at the helm of the former and turning the latter over to its members as soon as membership reached meaningful numbers. IVAA was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1999 and became officially recognized as a 501(c)(6) on February 2, 2001 with 28 members. Since then, IVAA's membership has grown to more than 600, in 16 countries. Collectively they conduct business worldwide, via the Internet. The Board of Directors is now comprised of five officers and five directors-at-large. Christine Durst

 

www.vanetworking.com
 

I created the VBSS (Virtual Business Startup System) to be that much needed support for Virtual Assistants worldwide. In 1997, when I first became a Virtual Assistant, it was a tough struggle from start-up to success. It was a time-consuming mission to find even the smallest tidbit of information to answer the tiniest of questions I had revolving in my head regarding starting up a Virtual Assistant business. Tawnya Sutherland