How To Take That 9-to-5 And Shove It:

Virtual assistant to speak on upcoming panel about transitional strategies for entrepreneurs

BRIDGEPORT, CT (PRWEB) March 10, 2004 -- Vonetta Booker-Brown, founder of virtual assistance practice Right Hand Concepts, will be appearing Friday, April 30, 2004 at the 2004 Nia Enterprises Leadership Summit in New York City. She'll be speaking on the panel, "Don't Quit Your Day Job...Yet."

After the African-American women's interest website NiaOnline (www.niaonline.com) recently featured Right Hand Concepts in the article "Taking a Leap of Faith to Fly Solo," Booker-Brown was invited to participate on the panel and share how she made the transition from her 9-to-5 job to running Right Hand Concepts (which provides administrative and creative services to businesses and individuals via email, phone and fax) full-time. (Information on the panel discussion can be found at http://www.niaonline.com/NiaLD/Summit/summit_home)

Entrepreneurial transition is an issue that is gaining interest among many, as large corporations continue to downsize and people begin to explore "do-it-yourself" options for their careers and passions. "Starting your own business is a huge topic of interest to our audience," says Sheryl Huggins, Editor-in-Chief of NiaOnline. "However, many are aware that going it alone is risky. That is why we asked Vonetta and other panelists to discuss smart strategies for making the transition from employee to entrepreneur."

It was an issue that struck a chord in Booker-Brown, as well. The idea for starting Right Hand Concepts came to her while working as an administrative assistant for a large marketing firm. Although her salary and perks were substantial, the Connecticut-based entrepreneur (who also has a background as a writer, journalist and Web designer) felt unfulfilled in a position that offered no growth or creativity. "I've always been into trying different things and learning new skills, so I knew that there was something else out there that would allow me to fully utilize my talents," says Booker-Brown. "There wasn't one, already-existing job description out there for everything that I'm into--so I thought, 'I guess I'll just have to create my own!'" she laughs.

After researching the virtual assistant industry, Booker-Brown found that was the perfect career option for her. "Although my full-time administrative assistant gig allowed me stability and the chance to work with some great people, I knew it was time to move on." And the rest, as they say, is history.

Booker-Brown's transitioning tips include:
--Take the time to make an educated decision--don't abruptly quit your job based on emotion, or one bad day.
--Assess your assets--do you have enough money socked away for your transition?
--Research insurance and retirement plans for freelancers and small businesses
--Surround yourself with positive friends & family members who'll give you the moral support you need
--Talk to your current employer about working for them part-time, or telecommuting during your transition
--Use the remaining time at from your current job (and the still-steady paycheck) to pay for business start-up costs, getting clients, training, etc.

About Right Hand Concepts:
Founded in August 2003 by Vonetta Booker-Brown, Right Hand Concepts is a virtual assistance practice that provides administrative and creative services to businesses and individuals via email, phone and fax. Booker-Brown is now also sharing her small-business tips and experiences in her new online column, "The VA Chronicles," featured at http://www.righthandconcepts.com/vachronicles.htm
For additional information about Right Hand Concepts and its services, please visit www.Right Handconcepts.com or call 203-382-0403.