How about starting a virtual assistant business? (sm)

You could do all kinds of stuff (do a Google search under virtual assistant, there are some webpages that explain stuff).  U-Haul I believe also hires people to do phone customer service from home.  If you look on guru . com they have people who advertise for odd jobs and lots of them are virtual assistant kind of stuff.

Just some ideas.  You could also do daycare, pampered chef, that kind of stuff.  :)

• What other jobs allow working at home? - HappyCat
  • Thanks everyone. Nm. - HappyCat
  • phone rep - FlaMT
  • Before I got into medical transcription - mtgurl
    • How about starting a virtual assistant business? (sm) - midwestMT

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I've been in your shoes, though many years ago, and I had 12 years experience before I had the guts to go solo. 

There is so much more that you need to know beyond the specialty you'll be transcribing.  You need to know how to run a small business.  Things like zoning laws - I kid you not; there are still places where it is technically illegal to work in your home.  Do you need a license?  Do you know the tax implications?  Do you know the insurance/liability implications?  Are you adequately capitalized?  You'll need backup equipment, supplies and something to live on until you start getting paid.  Banks don't like to lend to small transcription services because they so often fail.  As another poster said, contracts are difficult, if not impossible to enforce.  Are you aware of regulatory issues like HIPAA (especially for the speciality you have chosen)?  Are you technically savvy?  Not all offices use tapes with pick-up/delivery of work anymore.  Do you know what you need to make to live?  Sure you could undercut the competition, but can you live on what you'd make?  Do you have someone you trust to cover for you if you are sick, the power goes out or you just want a day off?  There's so much more, but I'm sure you are getting the picture.

Look for a business college, junior college/city college or regional state university in your area that offers classes for small business owners.  Is there an office of the Small Business Administration (government agency - your tax dollars at work) or SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives) in your area that offers classes?

You are looking to do a tough thing.  I'm not sure I'd want to do it again, but I don't regret the years I did it.  Give it some more thought.  Best of luck to you.

MY SHRINK KEEPS ASKING ME IF I HAVE TRIED GETTING MY OWN ACCOUNTS VERSUS WORKING FOR A NATIONAL....(we are working on how to better handle life stressors).  (MQ?)  Anyway, I always tell him, yes, I have thought about it and I do know of two MTSOs as aquaintances.  I told him I am getting closer and closer to sending letters out to these MTSOs letting them know I am working as an MT and ask if they have any overflow work, to keep me in mind.  I told him I thought that would be the first step as I don't have a clue as to what equipment they use and how you go about the whole deal versus what I am doing now (wav files over internet). 

I am sure some of you who are or were MTSOs could clue me in as to how it is done, equipment wise, and what is involved.  I already know about the tax issues as we have had two small businesses previously. Is it still done with tapes that you pick up and what kind of equipment for that, or can it be done over the internet as per the nationals?

Thanks,

In the dark here.

Need some advice, please.  I am starting a small company and I want to market myself to be able to take overflow work from larger companies (or hospitals/clinics/medical centers) to give and send out to my group of MTs and QAs.  I do not want the hassle of trying to approach the large hospitals, clinics, medical centers, themselves and I do not have the capital to purchase my own dictation system or program. 

I was thinking of going to the MT conventions and networking there but was not sure who/what companies attend these conventions.  Does anyone have any ideas or can anyone point me in the right direction?  I would appreciate any advice anyone could give to me.  TIA

Maria Maz

First of all, I have worked for several nationals in the past few years, and equipment has always been provided.  I currently have a f/t position with a national that I use my own personal computer for, they just put their software on it.  I had what I needed already, as far as foot pedal, Expander program, etc.

I have just been sort of rolling ideas around in my head about possibly starting up something small perhaps on a p.r.n. basis just to bring in a little extra income.  As I am still just mulling this around in my mind, my questions are:  How do I go about getting started? Do I try to purchase equipment first, or start out using tapes? I am worried about spending the money and not having any takers, so I am thinking, I should send out some sort of letters first; but, without having the equipment already, how do I tell them I plan on doing their transcription.  Maybe mention tapes first, and tell them I have plans to go digital after I get up and running? These are all just things I wonder about.  If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to email me with any advice. 

I have been an MT for 16+ years, but as I said, I have always had all of the stuff provided for me and just don't know how to start. 

Thanks in Advance!

Is or has anyone worked on the platform of virtual transcription?  I know it requires a different wavpedal than I currently have, but other than that I know nothing about it and have not been successful in finding out anything before I start.  Can anyone give me a heads up?

We have tried a few different ways.  My son who is currently in 5th grade was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism.  The public schools cannot seem to work with him.  We have done the traditional homeschooling route, which has its pros and cons.  There are several virtual schools around now, public schooling, but done at home by the parents, check out www.k12.com to see the options in the different states.  We attended one in Pennsylvania for 2 years and are going to be in the Florida one this year.  My son loves the curriculum.  Good luck!

DH just took me to my favorite beach for a quick vacation.   It is Shell Island in NC (basically Wrightsville Beach, but the end at Mason Inlet)

We arrived at Shell Island resort and discovered our room was on the 9th (top) floor.  PERFECT!  The dogs were staying with the in-laws in nearby Wilmington, so no worries there.

The temperature on Thursday was 82 degrees.  The water was 81 degrees.   People were few.  We walked down to the inlet, where the surf is all disorganized with no crashing waves.  The water stays shallow for a long way out, only knee deep to waist deep.  I floated out there, often walking along on my hands, with the swirling water gently pushing me this way and that.   Seagulls called to us.  Pelicans did their gliding flight just inches above the water. 

After our ocean swim we got in the pool.  Then we laid out on the chaise lounge chairs to dry.  The ocean breeze gently buffeted us in a lazy fashion until we were nearly dry and went in.

We went back to the room and I sorted my shells out on a table on the deck.  Seagulls came by to try to entice me to throw food.  Now and then, pelicans in V formation would glide right by me, so close I could have reached out and touched the feathers of the nearest member. 

We went out to The Oceanic restaurant.  I had the Oceanic Platter with broiled fish, fabulous scallops, shrimp, and a crab cake that rivaled those in Baltimore.   It was all fabulous.

I had a fabulous time.   Vacations are good. 

Has anyone done this?  It looks good....but I need to know before I spend the money. 

Thanks.

Has anyone used any of the ABCZ files from the following site, in particular this file "ABCZ Typing Assistant Version 2 - TAMed2C " ?http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/abczTA.htm

I have Instant Test and was wondering if there was a way to create your own ABCZ shortcuts with the "importer"?

Thanks

Virtual Line w/ Personal Ring - $3.00/mo.

Virtual Line With Personal Ring allows you to assign up to 3 directory numbers to the same equipment and telephone line.  Each number has a distinctive ring so you know which number is receiving a call. If 1of the numbers is being used, the other number(s) will appear busy to callers. If you subscribe to Call Waiting, each number has a distinctive call waiting tone to identify which number is receiving a call.

Are these one and the same or different?  Does Smart-Type work in Dictaphone Extext platform?

Thanks in advance for any help from anyone.