Member of the Month - April 2003
Terence Kierans - Cyberspace Virtual Services

When and why did you open your business?

April 2000.

I wanted to compensate for the lack of suitable consultancy contracts here in WA, coupled with an aversion to commuting.

What services or products do you offer?

A wide range of business support services, from bookkeeping through database / spreadsheet design and management, ISO9000 documentation, DTP, through to writng/editing/proofing. Any form of writing is a preference / specialty.

Do you have any current specials running?

No, just the standard two free hours for new clients contracting for five hours work, or more.

What made you decide to open a virtual business?

The convenience and low cost of working from a home office, the choice of work hours and the ability to source clients globally.

Do you have employees?

No.

Do you have a home or storefront office?

Home office, although for a year I did have a presence at a business enterprise centre in Perth where I was the part-time site representative

What is the most rewarding part of having your virtual business? 

Diversification of projects, clientele, and cultures. Plus it has given me the opportunity to work with and make friends with other virtual business owners around the world.

What has been the most difficult part of having your virtual business?

1. Marketing. However, this could apply to any business.

2. Being limited to 56K dial-up access as a consequence of location (and Telstra).

What education or training do you have specific to your business?

Degree in Communications Engineering and 17 years broad experience as a self-employed consultant in an IT environment. BrainBench certified in MS Access 200, MS Excel 2000, MS Outlook 2000, MS Publisher 2000, MS Word 2000 and Masters Certification (top two percentile) in English Vocabulary.

Do you have any advice to others who may want to start a virtual business?

1. Treat it like any bricks and mortar business, write, follow and update, a business plan.

2. Join reputable and relevant on-line organisations like the IVAA, VirtualBiz Group, and of course, Virtual Professionals.

3. Join your local business association.

4. Network, network, network.

5. Don't take on work you are not equipped / qualified to do.

Have you found that being associated with online organisations beneficial in networking and staying in contact with like minded professionals?

Immensely. Not only has it given me a sense of belonging, but it has helped to preclude the feeling of isolation. Additionally there is the satisfaction of being able to offer assistance where it has been needed.

The spin-off of work overflow has helped cash-flow too.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Don't treat your business like a hobby. Be responsible and, at the end of the day, answerable to your mission statement. Remember too, you need to give to get.

Keep up with what is happening on the Virtual-Professionals front!

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