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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Extending a hand (and a branch) to small business
Extending a hand (and a branch) to small business |
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March 8, 2010
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
SPRINGFIELD -- Stephanie L. Sanabria, 25, prides herself on not being a vague businesswoman hiding behind a dotcom. She's the owner of a small business who prides herself on scheduling quality face time with her clients.
Sanabria began her virtual assistant business, Olive Branch Office Solutions (OBOS), in December after being laid off from two office administrator positions last year. She explained she felt compelled to start a company that would help other businesses make it through the recession.
"[Being laid off] really boiled down to the recession," Sanabria said. "My purpose with OBOS is to help small businesses help themselves. If we can do it together, then just maybe we can ultimately give the local economy a boost.
"I was able to take things into my own hands and make lemonade out of lemons," she added.
Sanabria explained her business is not meant to replace permanent office staff. Rather, her work as a virtual assistant allows business owners to "spend more time focusing on how to preserve and strengthen their business without worrying about fitting in time for routine projects like residual paperwork or searching for an affordable way to create and maintain their Web site."
She noted she charges less than other virtual assistant firms due to the recession and bills per hour, per project.
Sanabria explained her skill set is larger than that of someone hired from a temp agency to perform a specific task. She added that each of her clients has a different set of needs from postcard mailings to filing reports to data entry to Internet research to designing Web sites to creating business plans.
"There's no limit to what I can do," Sanabria added.
She said business has been slow and she attributed that to people's ignorance about virtual assistants.
"For businesses that don't have the resour-ces to fund or warrant having an office administrator, OBOS is a great alternative solution to getting jobs done quickly and efficiently. Outsourcing office work is a great way to save both time and money!" she explained, reading the information from her Web site, www.OliveBranchVA.com.
Sanabria noted she also provides current and new clients with cost-saving measures. Preferred members receive discounts, and referrals requiring at least $300 worth of work from OBOS receive a 25 percent off coupon.
Sanabria added she has a special 30 percent discount for first-time clients during the month of March.
She noted she also provides first-time clients with a free consultation.
When asked why Sanabria chose to name her business OBOS, she replied, "Because I've always been fascinated with the olive branch and extending the hand [of help] and peace."
Sanabria added she hopes her olive branch will help see businesses prosper in spite of this trying economy.
For more information about OBOS, visit www.OliveBranchVA.com or contact Sanabria at 695-3301 or < a mrkinfo@OliveBranchVA.com.
Are you a young entrepreneur, ages 16 to 30, who would like to spread the word about your business?
Contact Assistant Editor Courtney Llewellyn via e-mail at courtney@thereminder.com or Assistant Editor Katelyn Gendron at katelyn@thereminder.com to learn how to share your story.
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