THSS Client Profile: Jenna Avery

Posted on 05. Jun, 2007 by Linda in Client Profiles

Jenna Avery, a highly sensitive coach and intuitive, offers an original coaching program called Embrace Your Essential Self, designed to guide sensitive souls to a deep sense of inner rightness within themselves so they are inspired to step forward and shine.

Jenna is a Certified Life Coach based in Berkeley, California. She can be reached at 510.981.0697. She also offers support for sensitives in business through the Sensitive Professionals Network. You’re invited to take her free online assessment: “Is Your Sensitivity Working For You?” on her website at www.highlysensitivesouls.com.

We asked Jenna a few questions about her experiences in choosing and using a VA to assist her in her business.

How did you decide you needed a virtual assistant?

“I found that I was spending too much of my time doing administrative tasks that would be better delegated to someone else, including answering email, scheduling clients, shipping products, and updating my address book and calendar. I have some terrific automated marketing systems in place and needed support on the back end – responding to potential clients. As a highly sensitive person, I found the volume of email I was receiving to be overwhelming. I also found that I needed some level of protection – I wanted an assistant as a means to set limits on my availability to answer questions from website visitors who really weren’t interested in hiring me.”

How did you come to choose Linda and Third Hand Secretarial Services?

“I interviewed a number of virtual assistants and found that I preferred Linda’s style of working and billing. She was clear about the types of support she could offer me, and was willing to learn and augment her skills to support me as needed. But mainly, my intuition said, ‘She can help you.’ I was sold.”

What has Linda done to help you and how is it all working out?

“Linda has taken over scheduling prospective client consultation sessions. I have my Outlook calendar synced with hers. When she receives requests from prospective clients for consultation sessions, she is able to schedule them for me by looking at my calendar and seeing what’s available. I receive calendar updates from her digitally by email, which go straight into my Outlook calendar. It is very efficient, up-to-date, and we can both keep an eye on my schedule. I love it! I also have my calendar synced to my mobile phone, so I am also able to travel with my latest schedule.

Linda also handles answering email inquiries from potential clients and website visitors, who often have similar, and sometimes repetitive, questions. We created some boilerplate of Frequently Asked Questions, with answers, that she can use as a template to respond. It’s nice to know that my prospects are getting personal attention, and it is such a relief not to have to do it all myself! She also ships my products, which is a great relief as well.

An extra bonus. . .Linda has an excellent array of resources and is very helpful about getting me answers on all kinds of subjects.”