Featured VBA-BARBARA BROCK- Manchester,Missouri

For the next two weeks, our Featured VBA is Barbara Brock. Many of you recently met Barbara at the 17th Annual NACBA Convention.

If you're an attorney seeking the expertise of a VBA, look no further.

Barbara J. Brock

Professional Background:

Barbara is a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant whose 30+ year background includes experience as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Data Analyst, and Business Owner. Barbara has diligently pursued education and research to advance her computer skills and knowledge of the various industries in which she worked. She is also a Missouri Notary Public.

Widowed in her early 30’s, Barbara decided to start her own business to allow her the opportunity to be available for her son. She orchestrated the approval and construction of a small building to house a grooming business and stained glass studio. This was her first taste of business ownership and the satisfaction that comes from providing quality services that she was responsible for. Along with this endeavor, she engaged in satisfying volunteer work. After six years as a single parent, in 1992, Barbara married her best friend. In 2001, a move to St. Louis necessitated her relinquishing her business.

In the past 8 years, she advanced her way in the medical records department of a major St. Louis hospital from a data entry position to the position of Data Analyst/Special Studies. In this capacity, she excelled in analyzing data to produce special reports and graphs for use by the Director of the department. Her eye for detail and tenacity for producing high-quality projects assisted the Director in presenting data which motivated action for improvement. Barbara’s reliability to complete projects on time, without supervision, was a pivotal factor in the decision to allow her to work in this position from her remote office. Barbara became an integral part of the Director’s team, multi-tasking to produce reports and graphs, presentations, policies and procedures, researching topics, and teaching others computer skills.

With a revived desire to pursue her own business, in 2006, her research into business opportunities uncovered the beginnings of the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant industry. She took an avid interest in this field because of her own personal experience with nearly having to file bankruptcy at one point in her own life. Her determination and tenacity in working with creditors to get out of that difficult and stressful situation made her feel she would have special compassion and understanding for attorneys’ clients. She had also been intrigued by the legal profession having assisted friends with legal research both on-line and at the top-rated Washington University Law Library.

The decision made, she began the road of bankruptcy education and petition preparation training. Barbara is now a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant with the Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants (ABJA) and a Certified Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant with the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants (NSVBA). She continues her education through webinars, networking with seasoned VBA’s, bankruptcy publications, on-line research, and paralegal courses. The NSVBA has been a strong ally, providing Barbara with training and a close network of information from more experienced VBA’s. The NSVBA also presented her the opportunity to attend both the NACBA Fall Workshop in Hilton Head and, more recently, the NACBA Convention in Chicago. At both these venues, she thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with attorneys as she explained how a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant would free up their time and take a tremendous workload off their shoulders, then seeing their excitement as they realized the value of this service. She is currently working with several attorneys to set up her VBA service for their law firms.

To learn more about Barbara’s services and credentials, please visit her website at: http://www.brbsolutionsllc.com/

Personal Background

On a personal note, what Barbara will tell you about herself is that she is a down-to-earth person who is interested in helping others. She enjoys being a professional assistant. She has been called tenacious by others, particularly her father-in-law, and admits that she demands of herself to give the best to others as she would expect to receive. Barbara prides herself as being dependable, honest, confidential, hardworking, and caring. She thrives on the challenge of working with numbers, details, and doing research.

On the lighter side, when she’s not working, Barbara takes pleasure in the time she spends with her husband, family, grandchildren, and friends. She loves to travel, but is always happy to be home. Several years ago, she undertook the challenge to begin learning Chinese and volunteers her time to help in an education work. Her other passions include cooking, photography, and stained glass.

The decision for Barbara to be self-employed has been greatly influenced by her desire to be able to choose time for these important facets of her life. That is why she strongly feels that the service she provides as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant is invaluable for those she works with so they, too, can have more time for what they consider to be most important to them.

ATTORNEYS:

To contact Barbara, visit her website at:
http://www.brbsolutionsllc.com/

Once there, go to the "Contact Us" page.

Thank you Barbara,

Vikki

Featured VBA-JEANNIE LYNCH, San Diego, California

The Featured VBA for the next two weeks is Jeannie Lynch.

If you are a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney seeking the professional services of a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, you want to read Jeannie's autobiography.

If you are considering becoming a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, email me at vikki@nsvba.com, I will get back to you asap.

JEANNIE LYNCH

Professional Background

Jeannie is a certified paralegal whose 30+ year background includes over 20 years of hugely responsible in-house Senior Paralegal law firm experience, offsite contract work and nearly 10 years commercial real estate experience. She is also a licensed California Real Estate Salesperson and California Notary Public

Jeannie's professional career began in 1980 when she joined a small family law/civil litigation practice in Palm Springs, California. In 1982 the firm funded Jeannie's paralegal studies at Chapman University and upon certification in 1984 she transitioned to her own office with her own case load. In 1995, the owner of the firm became a Judge and the practice was closed. Jeannie was at that time recruited by a client commercial real estate broker and for the next 9 years she administered all contracts for the brokerage and spearheaded the firm's marketing department. In 2004, the attorney-who-became-judge made the decision to return to private practice and Jeannie was invited to and did rejoin the firm, once again assuming a hugely responsible case load.

In January 2008 Jeannie moved with her husband to the San Diego area and made the "quality of life" decision to establish a contract paralegal business from her home office, where she continues to work "virtually" for her previous law firm today. In researching contract paralegal opportunities for her new venture, it became clear to Jeannie that Consumer Bankruptcy was not only an area sorely in need of competent support but one that was particularly well suited to the virtual environment.

With her focus established, Jeannie sought out all education and training sources available and was soon certified as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant. Just six months into active marketing of her services, Jeannie now has contracts with six bankruptcy attorneys and is a Certified CM-ECF Filer in the California Southern District. A detailed description of her services can be found at: http://www.lynchlegalsupport.com/

Jeannie will be the first to tell you that she attributes much of her huge successes to her affiliation with the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants. She actively participates in training, meetings and VBANation and is one of this year's VBA's attending the upcoming NACBA conference in Chicago.

Personal Background


When she's not working, you will find Jeannie with her husband Frederick and rescue cat Bones sailing San Diego Bay or on a "road trip" with the Jeep top down. All said, Jeannie recognizes that her rapidly expanding Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant business has made a significant contribution to justifying that "quality of life" decision she made a little more than a year ago.



Attorneys: You can read more about Jeannie by going to her website: http://www.lynchlegalsupport.com/

From there, you can contact her via the "Contact Us" page.

You can also meet Jeannie at the upcoming NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL. May 29-31, 2009.

Thank you Jeannie!

Vikki

Featured VBA-YVETTE THOMAS-Calumet City, IL

The Featured VBA (Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant), for the next two weeks is Yvette Thomas.

If you are a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney considering the services of a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, read Yvette's autobiography. Although new to the VBA industry, Yvette has proven to be a quick study and will do her best to assist you in your bankruptcy petition preparation needs.

For those considering the career of a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant and would like more information, please email me at vikki@nsvba.com I will get back to asap.

YVETTE THOMAS


Professional Information:
I have over 30 years experience in the medical field. The last 24 years I worked as a Certified Emergency Medical Technician at Cermak Health Services – Cook County Department of Corrections. In my 24 years at the Cook County Jail I have had a lot of direct contact with the Courts, Attorneys, and States Attorneys. After sometime I seriously started thinking about a career change. So I started researching opportunities in the legal field, for a home base business.

My education includes receiving my Certification at Daley College for my Emergency Medical Technician License in May of 1980.

In April of 2008, I discovered the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant's through 713Training.com After weeks of research into this field, I took the first step and purchased all the training materials in May of 2008. I completed all the training materials, attended Webinars, Teleconferences, and (ECF) Electronic Case Filing. In July of 2008 I was introduced to Vikki Watanabe our AAVBA Executive Director; and currently NSVBA President, by another fellow VBA. With Vikki by my side, I joined the AAVBA, attended more Webinars, and Teleconferences. I studied & researched, studied & researched, studied & researched, and passed my VBA Certification in September of 2008. Since October of 2008 I have been setting up my marketing strategies, and marketing since January of 2009.

Personal Information:
Above all things God is first and foremost in my life. I love reading, because knowledge is power. I have a few words of wisdom that I live by including: "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearful you will make one" by Elbert Hubbard. I believe that if people don't make mistakes in life, then they can never grow and advance in whatever they attempt to do. I also believe in the phrase "Give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. I feel that if people give 100% of what they are doing, then they will succeed. Another quote I really believe in is "When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. I believe that God intended every individual to succeed and that there are no limits to the possibilities one has in life. I teach others that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and achieve your goal.


Attorneys: You can read more about Yvette's services at her website:


http://www.713isyourpetitions.com/


From there, you can contact her via her "Contact Us" page.

Thank you Yvette,

Vikki

COMING SOON! Featured VBA's!

On April 27, 2009, I will once again start posting the "Featured VBA" here on VBATalk.blogspot.

During the time you are the Featured VBA (two weeks) I will link updates on Twitter. Many Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys will see your bio through this link.

I started this earlier in the year, but certain things happened that I was unable to keep it up.

Well, I'm back and so are the VBA's.

If you are an NSVBA member and would like to be featured, simply submit your bio to vikki@nsvba.com

This is very good exposure for your VBA businesses. Once you are a Featured VBA, you can link the article on your website. Free advertising which will last forever. Can't beat that.

I hope you consider the impact this can have on your VBA business and you will submit your bio soon!

Wishing you wildly successful days!
Vikki

NSVBA
http://www.nsvba.com/

P.S.- Not sure what to write? Check out the previous "Featured VBA's" located here.

Future Events for NSVBA and the VBA

NSVBA offers service, support, networking and marketing to our members. But we can't do it alone. Each VBA must do their part to market and network their Independent Businesses.

Here are a few events which might be of interest to you, the VBA.

17th Annual NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL May 29, 30, 31
Although this event is not open to the public, NSVBA members are offered different options to be present at this event. Go to http://www.nsvba.com/ and Click on "Membership".

NALS-The association for legal professionals. This organization has regional groups throughout the United States. Here in CA, their Orange County group is very active, holding monthly dinner meetings. They also have a Convention coming up in Las Vegas in the month of June.

ABJA-Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants-ABJA holds their conference once a year in the fall. This year, the Conference is being held in Baltimore, MD in October.

I encourage NSVBA members to reach out to other VA's and VBA's and find out what is going on in their immediate area. The only way you're going to meet people of the same mind and ideas, is to reach out and meet them.

Join Associations and Organizations which edify the legal professional.

Vikki

Accountability

When one claims the title of "Industry Leader", one takes on an enormous responsibility.

If you run an organization that includes members, you take on an extraordinary responsibility. Not only do you represent the "industry"; now, your members look to you to represent them. Hopefully, in the best possible light.

Needless to say, relationships become very important. Business and personal.

If the so-called "Industry Leader" behaves in a way that is not professional, everyone within their organization and associated with that "Industry Leader" suffers.

If the so-called "Industry Leader" makes the decision to advise, train, or otherwise encourage its members to extend themselves beyond the scope of their duties crossing that fine line of "UPL" once again, anyone associated with the Industry Leader and the organization suffers.

Not only that, they run the risk of losing their credibility within the industry and with their members.

My feeling is that Industry Leaders do not have the luxury of saying what they want without first considering how their words and actions could affect the industry they represent. One can say they are held to a higher standard.

If one decides they are to be the "Industry Leader", Making claims such as "the only organization that offers their type of service", "no one around is doing what they do"; that "Industry Leader" should carefully consider their actions.

Some will respond by saying, "what the Industry Leader says or does will not affect my Independent business".

If you are part of the organization or associated with an Industry Leader who advertises on the internet as the only game in town, like it or not, you are associated.

Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, Virtual Paralegals, Freelance Bankruptcy Assistants, have worked very hard to get where they're at. Specifically, the members of the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC.

They are ethical, responsible, and run legitimate businesses.

The members of NSVBA, LLC understand they do not run the attorneys law firm, they assist. When and if an attorney has a question about "bankruptcy law" and that slippery slope of UPL, the VBA directs the attorney to NACBA.

As a regular Exhibitor at the NACBA Conventions, National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC has always referred our new attorneys to NACBA and other experts in the bankruptcy industry.

We look forward to seeing you next year in Washington, D.C. at the Annual NACBA Convention!


Vikki Watanabe
President
National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, LLC
www.nsvba.com

Back to work

It's been awhile since I've been able to post on my VBA Blog.

I hit a serious bump in the road which resulted in major surgery and a lengthy recuperation. I'm told full recovery is 6 months to 1 year. Which is fine with me.

I've been back to work since I arrived home from the hospital. It's excruciating for me to sit still even when I'm feeling lousy. Enough about me,.

Let's move on to other things of interest to VBA's and Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

I'm so excited about the events coming up in May for the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants.

We are going to the NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL. NACBA is the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

We have 5 NSVBA members working the NSVBA Exhibit Table. This is a great opportunity for NSVBA members to be part of the Convention to market their businesses directly to NACBA members and also market the NSVBA and it's membership. Additionally, every NSVBA member who does not attend the Convention is encouraged to send their marketing materials (business cards, brochures, etc) to be given out at the Convention. Also, the NSVBA members send a "Raffle Prize" to be given away during the Convention.

Once we return from Chicago, the schedule will be even more hectic. We have several training Webinars lined up. We also have "Live" Seminars lined up for those VBA's who need a more "hands on" type of training.

Soon after that, it will be time to get ready for the NACBA Fall Conference. Once again, we will offer the opportunity for NSVBA members to attend. In order for an NSVBA member to attend any NACBA event, they must pay a participation fee (anywhere between $300.00-$500.00 each). Also, each participant must attend the "Convention Webinars" prior to the event. They must also commit to work at the Exhibit Table the whole weekend.

Each participant is responsible for their own airline, hotel and meal expenses.

This year, we have several VBA's who have formed VBA Partnerships. In order for a partnership to attend the NACBA event, each "partner" must pay the full participation fee. If only one partner pays, only one partner attends.

NACBA events are not open to the public. This is a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Convention. Only attorneys, Sponsors and Exhibitors are allowed.

While at each Convention and Conference, NSVBA will hold a VBA "Post Convention" Luncheon. This year, on the last day of the Convention in Chicago, IL, the luncheon will be held on May 31, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Location: TBD

We hope if you are in the Chicago area, you will come out and join us for lunch. NSVBA will pick up the tab for appetizers and drinks.

I will also begin what I started earlier this year. Our Featured VBA. I will post the next Featured VBA beginning on April 27, 2009.

If you are an NSVBA member and would like to submit your bio for the VBA Blog, please send them to vikki@nsvba.com

If you've been thinking about joining NSVBA, now would be the time. We have so many things planned and we would love to have you be part of all that is happening!

See you Online!
Vikki
President
NSVBA-National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants
http://www.nsvba.com/