InnoVAtive Virtual Assistant Awards

The InnoVAtive Award is an honor given by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce to Virtual Assistants who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and inventiveness in the categories of:

Smart Virtual Assistant Business Practices
Virtual Assistant Industry Promotion
Virtual Assistant Education & Training
Virtual Assistant Business Growth & Achievement

Nominations are accepted January through March, and the winners announced each year at the annual VACOC Anniversary Celebration in April.

2008 InnoVAtive Award Recipients

This year's InnoVAtive Awards go to the managing editor team of the Gritty Business Buzz for their exemplary leadership and commitment in growing this unique resource for the membership.

	Karen Del'Marmol Managing Editor, Business Management
	Laura Lee Sparks Managing Editor, Marketing & Networking
	Joy Slaughter Managing Editor, Working With Virtual Assistants
	LaTanya Robinson Managing Editor, Stress Busters
	Sandi Johnson Managing Editor, Technology (2007)

2007 InnoVAtive Award Recipients

Business Inspiration: Vickie Turley, A Balanced Alternative. Awarded in recognition of her tremendous growth as a business owner over the past year, and her continuing efforts to motivate and encourage her Virtual Assistant colleagues.

Virtual Assistant Business Education: Stacy Brice, AssistU. Awarded in recognition of her exemplary industry leadership and vision for the Virtual Assistance profession.

Member of the Year: Joy Slaughter, A Capital Solution. Awarded in recognition of her tireless efforts and unflagging commitment and dedication in helping build the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce into an organization which honors high standards of professionalism, excellence and integrity.

Member of the Year: Laura Lee Sparks, The Simple Solution. Awarded in recognition of her tireless efforts and unflagging commitment and dedication in helping build the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce into an organization which honors high standards of professionalism, excellence and integrity.

2006 InnoVAtive Award Recipients

Exemplary Industry Leadership: Stacy Brice, AssistU. Awarded in recognition of her exemplary industry leadership and vision in founding the Virtual Assistance profession; for creating a business school that is as much about a state of grace as it is entrepreneurship; and for being a consistent and unwavering example of the highest, most honorable and dignified ideals for the profession.

Inventive Busness Practice: Roxanne Ravenel, SOHO Support Solutions LLC. Awarded for her intelligent, well-written client-centered webinars geared to educate prospective clients on the value and benefits of Virtual Assistance and getting them to 'yes!' This is an original, novel approach, and one that exposes many more business owners and industries to the Virtual Assistance solution.

Gloria H. I love it here at VACOCl! It’s an educational experience whenever I read a post. It has been such a wonderful experience being part of this community. People share their heart, they share their experience, their wisdom. It’s really an educational experience. Every time I open a post I’m so thankful I found this community. I’ve also appreciated the forms that I’ve been able to purchase through the VACOC because they’ve helped me in interview situations and getting organized. So, I hope to be part of this group for a long time. Thank you!

Gloria Henning, GCH Virtual Assistance

Holly A. I’m not sure where to start as far as explaining how the VACOC has helped me thus far. There are so many ways. When I joined last April, I was still working ¾ time at my corporate job and getting ready to launch my Virtual Assistant business. At that time, my understanding of a Virtual Assistant was someone who could handle the general administrative aspects of a business as well as design websites, set up and maintain shopping carts, do QuickBooks, etc. Since joining the VACOC, I’ve learned that those skills do not fall under the definition of Virtual Assistance. I also learned that I was going to be charging WAAAYYY too little for my skills and experience. I could not have done this without the support of the VACOC. I am still thrilled to have found other like-minded people who share my goal of running a successful and highly-profitable business.

Holly Anthony, Anthony Office Solutions

LaTanya R. Although I signed my first client fairly quickly (and a few in between), it didn’t take me long to realize I was lacking some vital knowledge and qualities as a self-employed professional. While I spent a significant amount of time trying to learn from the “experts” in the industry, I felt totally disconnected and clueless. I knew where I wanted my business to be, but I wasn’t sure how to get there. I did everything wrong in the beginning: I provided on demand services; did things that I hated; charged cheap rates — the list goes on — all in fear of not getting clients or even worse, losing them. Now that I’m a member of the VACOC, things are completely changed. The fear is gone and I have the education, confidence, experience and resources I lacked as a professional service provider. My practice is operating at a higher level and attracting a better clientele. The VACOC taught me that.

LaTanya Robinson, Virtual Assistant