What to Disclose to Potential Clients on a Discovery Call
Helping mamas start a naptime hustle is one of my favorite things to do. It’s how my business started, and it’s how so many of my VA Bootcamp grads start out too. In the beginning, I didn’t have any childcare so I would sneak in work early in the morning, during nap time, and after bedtime. I knew I could be productive in those short spurts of time, and my clients didn’t know or care when the work got done.
If you’re in that same boat, you may be wondering what you need to tell your clients (or potential clients) about your “business hours.” Do they need to know you don’t have childcare? Should you tell them you get the most work done between 8-10PM?
Here’s my advice:
Be confident and honest. If you know that you can get the work done in the time you have (be realistic!), then go for it! If their expectations are beyond what you’re able to accommodate (ie: answering phones during business hours, responding to emails immediately), then it’s just not the right fit for you.
No need to give every detail. If you know you can do the work, there’s no need for you to disclose your childcare arrangements or any other work you may have. It’s either a yes - I can do this! Or a no - this isn’t a fit for me right now. Think about a “typical” office job scenario - your boss doesn’t ask in an interview who watches your kid while you’re commuting and in the office right? No need to give these details out when it comes to your own business.
What’s the right fit? Only you can determine if a client’s expectations are a good match with your schedule and lifestyle. If you don’t have any childcare and know that your baby only takes 20 minute naps at random times, then a client who needs quick access to you just wouldn’t be a fit. But there are a TON of opportunities out there that can easily accommodate a mama’s busy and unpredictable schedule.
One of the best things about being an entrepreneur is creating your dream schedule. So make sure you’re only working with clients that are a “hell yes!” and let the rest go.
xo Helen
Helen Peterson is a work-from-home mom who has established herself in the online business industry as a Virtual Assistant & Launch Strategy Specialist. Along with helping her clients with launch strategy & successfully creating & selling their online courses, she also coaches other women in starting their own Virtual Assistant business (regardless of their current career path).
Her passion stems from guiding women into living the life they've always dreamt of with no financial boundaries & the flexibility to live & travel the way they want to.