Six years ago, Crystal Pina, president of Visions Virtual Assistance, hit a family low when one of her five children was injured in an accident that left him disabled, and she took her learning disabled daughter out of public school to home school.

Adding to the family distress, Crystal was eventually laid off from her job and rehired at another location that did not have a sympathetic boss. Staff at the new location felt she didn’t want to work because she put her commitment to family first. She was eventually released.

Even though her husband was employed, with five children and two grandkids, the family needed two incomes.

“I tried a few jobs, but it just wasn't ‘right’. My household was falling apart. My kids are teenagers, but teens need you at home even more than the little ones.”

Crystal also has a secret love for the internet.

“I'm online researching something new every chance I get. It made sense to combine my years of corporate experience with my love for learning new things.”

In early June 2006, Crystal began researching becoming a virtual assistant.

“It’s funny how co-workers thought I didn't like to work. I'm working much more now than I've ever worked, and I love every minute of it!

My ideal client is someone who's excited about their business. Someone who's busy and needs help with setting up processes to streamline what they do and save them time.”

Crystal assists real estate professionals with Web site development, lead generation, customer care, listing coordination, and transaction management. She sets up systems that automate their processes. Her real passion is in design, whether for a Web site, a brochure, a magazine ad, or even a PowerPoint presentation.

When asked what advice she would give someone who wants to become a VA, she responded, “There's nothing in this business that can't wait a day! I'm not saying this to encourage procrastination. I'm saying that if your child wants attention, or your spouse wants you to come watch a movie, do it. Remember that raising the quality of your life is the reason you are doing this.”

Crystal was also asked why she joined the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and she replied, “I like the Alliance because there are mentors, who are great for new VAs; and because the Forum is not spidered by Google. There, you can speak freely; you don’t have the worry that your clients will hear you are just learning a program you are charging them to run.”

Crystal’s dedication to family and quest for knowledge led her to the virtual assisting industry. If only her employer could see her now. For more information about Crystal, visit her Web site at Six years ago, Crystal Pina, president of Visions Virtual Assistance, hit a family low when one of her five children was injured in an accident that left him disabled, and she took her learning disabled daughter out of public school to home school.

Adding to the family distress, Crystal was eventually laid off from her job and rehired at another location that did not have a sympathetic boss. Staff at the new location felt she didn’t want to work because she put her commitment to family first. She was eventually released.

Even though her husband was employed, with five children and two grandkids, the family needed two incomes.

“I tried a few jobs, but it just wasn't ‘right’. My household was falling apart. My kids are teenagers, but teens need you at home even more than the little ones.”

Crystal also has a secret love for the internet.

“I'm online researching something new every chance I get. It made sense to combine my years of corporate experience with my love for learning new things.”

In early June 2006, Crystal began researching becoming a virtual assistant.

“It’s funny how co-workers thought I didn't like to work. I'm working much more now than I've ever worked, and I love every minute of it!

My ideal client is someone who's excited about their business. Someone who's busy and needs help with setting up processes to streamline what they do and save them time.”

Crystal assists real estate professionals with Web site development, lead generation, customer care, listing coordination, and transaction management. She sets up systems that automate their processes. Her real passion is in design, whether for a Web site, a brochure, a magazine ad, or even a PowerPoint presentation.

When asked what advice she would give someone who wants to become a VA, she responded, “There's nothing in this business that can't wait a day! I'm not saying this to encourage procrastination. I'm saying that if your child wants attention, or your spouse wants you to come watch a movie, do it. Remember that raising the quality of your life is the reason you are doing this.”

Crystal was also asked why she joined the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and she replied, “I like the Alliance because there are mentors, who are great for new VAs; and because the Forum is not spidered by Google. There, you can speak freely; you don’t have the worry that your clients will hear you are just learning a program you are charging them to run.”

Crystal’s dedication to family and quest for knowledge led her to the virtual assisting industry. If only her employer could see her now. For more information about Crystal, visit her Web site at Visions Virtual Assistance.