The purpose of this meeting is to plan Phase 1 of the Colorado EcoVillage. We will decide how many individuals or couples will comprise our family of virtual assistants. Then we will be able to search and locate the property (either commercial or a large home) that will accommodate our needs.

After locating several properties, the family will meet in Colorado to physically view these properties and make a decision on which one to purchase (or rent) that will accommodate our needs.

All members will financially contribute an equal amount in order to purchase (or rent) the property.  If a member later decides to move and no longer wishes to be part of our virtual assistant family, another member may buy out their interest, or sell it to a virtual assistant that is on the Waiting List.

Due to the fact that this concept is very popular and is greatly needed by virtual assistants seeking to build and prosper their businesses, we anticipate a Waiting List to develop. However, we may locate property with a sufficient amount of acreage so that other virtual assistants can purchase mobile homes of RVs and live on part on the property while still being part of the virtual assistant family.

What would be the benefits to you, the growth of your business and your sanity if you lived in a virtual assistant (VA) community?  What is a virtual assistant community?  It is a group of virtual assistants, all living on the same property as a family.  Together, we provide positive mental support for each other.  We share the successes of your business with celebration and song and the failures of your business by joining together to provide advice and support.  Nothing like this has ever been attempted and I know this will not be the last.  Instead, Colorado EcoVillage will be the first virtual assistant community and it is now being formed in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.

Why San Luis Valley, Colorado?

When I first visited the San Luis Valley I immediately felt like I had come home.  Although I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio; throughout my travels across the United States I have discovered that all cities are the same.  Columbus feels like Denver. Denver feels like Chicago.  Chicago feels like Los Angeles.  No matter what city I travel to, they are all the same.  So I tried visiting areas in the country and I found some diversity.  However, some country settings were filled with criminal activity.  Other areas were too hot; while others were too cold in the winter.  In the majority of the country areas, I found the people to normally be afraid of newcomers and “standoffish” until they knew you, or knew someone that was related to you.

But when I visited the San Luis Valley I did not find the typical country type mindset.  I found a town filled with open-minded people who accepted others without judging them.  I found friendly and caring people who made me feel like I had known them all my life.  Also, the majority of people appeared to be happy, content and creative souls -- the perfect place to grow and foster a virtual assistant community.

Low Cost Living Expenses

There are many advantages to living in a virtual assistant community.  One major advantage is that housing, food and other essentials cost less and result in low cost living for everyone.  For example:  I am currently looking for a large home, hotel, bed and breakfast or other structure that all of us will purchase together and own the real estate together.  I am seeking 5-6 bedroom homes in the price range of $100,000.  At this price, it would only cost each virtual assistant $20,000 to $30,000 each with no additional rent to pay - ever.  Or, if we locate a bed and breakfast type home (providing each person their own private bathroom and living area with one main common area where we would eat our meals and join together for daily meetings), the cost could be as low as $25,000 per person.  This is low-cost living and you are automatically an owner of real estate with no mortgage payment.

How About Renting First?

Another alternative to purchasing a piece of property would be renting for a period of at least one year to determine if we all can live together. After reading the book "Is it Utopia Yet" by Kit Kinkade, I was shocked to know that some people had horrible habits that people like me may not be able to tolerate.  Habits such as using the bathroom in front of everyone, public nudity, open sex and cockroaches in the kitchen would have me packing my bags. Therefore, it is important that a certain type of people form the Colorado EcoVillage community. So the possibility of renting a place and practicing living together would be an idea we could talk about and vote on.

Low Cost Overhead for Your Business

As a family unit, the business supplies, equipment and other necessities to own and operate our businesses will normally be batch ordered to save us all a great deal of money.  For example: If we find we order a lot of paper, instead of ordering a ream (500 sheets), we can order a case (5,000 sheets) and save up to 80%.  And this is only one example.  Imagine the savings we would all enjoy when we order computers, printers, scanners or other costly business products.  No longer will we be forced to pay retail prices again.  Another fantastic savings for us will be in the purchase of software.  If more than one of us will be using the same software program, we can purchase a multi-user or network version to save us all $100s if not $1,000s of dollars.

Your Privacy is Important

Building a successful virtual business requires an environment filled with positive influence and networking with others.  However, we all need private times to reflect, be alone and to be with our children, grandchildren, etc.  Each one of us will have different requirements in this area which is why we need to meet and discuss the options.

Have I sparked your interest?

The Colorado EcoVillage is not for everyone. We don't intend it to be. Instead, the Colorado EcoVillage is for only a few people who love the concept and realize the benefits to them and their virtual business lives. If you believe you are this type of individual, CLICK HERE to fill out the form and join us either in October or December for Phase 1 of the planning stage.  There is no obligation.

-- Victoria Ring, developer of Colorado EcoVillage