We kick off our Female Friday Feature with Jutta Dudley, the founder of V-Assist.
Jutta played a very important part in my life as a Virtual Assistant and female entrepreneur.
I hope you will enjoy learning about Jutta’s story and her amazing career as a Virtual Assistant, Female Entrepreneur and now Real Estate
On leaving school, I became a travel agent – purely by default, as I had no idea what I could or wanted to do with my life. In 1999, U Travel was born from my lounge, as technology was changing to the point where we had computers at home and could work remotely.
Technology advanced to the point where clients were able to go online to arrange their own travel. This also meant, the service providers – airlines, hotels etc, – were becoming more active in marketing themselves online and cutting out agents to save on the commissions.
After 32 years of the industry and loss of relationships within the industry, I decided it was time for something new. Working from home is a privilege and something I wanted to keep doing if possible. Being a Virtual Assistant seemed the way to go. So in 2016, I started V-Assist and within 1 month I had to get a 2nd Virtual Assistant (VA) on board to help.
The next 3 years were challenging, fun, frustrating and rewarding. The V-Assist Team grew and we found many new and interesting clients to work with, however, I missed the direct people contact that fulfils me as a person. So in Dec 2019, I started a new career and in March 2021, I passed the reigns of V-Assist on.
Now I am learning a new career that is very people-oriented.
This was a little play on words – Virtual Assistant and being German, so V (virtual) and the comic we pronounced in German, combined with Assist = V-Assist.
Getting people to understand the concept of having an assistant NOT sitting in your office, but remotely
By giving exceptional service. Hard work
This is a lesson I was taught in my very first job and I am still thankful for this. You need to schedule your time and be firm about it.
On the odd occasion, the business comes first, but as a whole, it is essential to keep to your allotted times for family, friends, work, etcetera.
Talk it out with colleagues and then the client. Find a solution that works for all parties
Often – especially when the month is longer than the money lasts
BNI is and was in both my other businesses, the most successful marketing tool. I have the normal – website, social media, marketing events etc.
Talk it out with colleagues and then the client. Find a solution that works for all parties
Often – especially when the month is longer than the money lasts
BNI is and was in both my other businesses, the most successful marketing tool. I have the normal – website, social media, marketing events etc.
Set times to fulfil your tasks and get them done in that time. Discipline
Make my own decisions regarding the business and my life
