VA Simple Services: Road to Success with Mirna Bard...

I have been following Mirna Bard on Twitter and Facebook for a little while now. She is someone who I deeply admire for her professionalism and great knowledge. So, when she accepted to be part of the Everyday Entrepreneur Series, I was thrilled!

I had the chance to win a free consultation a few weeks ago from a contest she runs on her Facebook page (by the way, I encourage you to check it out-she has a huge contest giveaway going on right now). Not only was I happy to finally speak to her on Sype, but I also got to benefit from her expertise! Mirna is putting her mark on pretty much everything she can from being a finalist for the next social media advisory board member for SmartBrief (voting is still going on) to being a mentor for the Visa Business Network and is a great contributor to the online community.

Here`s what Mirna had to say...

Question: What are your expertise and your main area of business?

Answer: I am a business advisor, social media consultant, author, speaker and instructor of social media at University of California, Irvine.

Question: Who is your ideal client?

Answer: My ideal clients are c-level executives and successful entrepreneurs who have an open mind about the Internet, a willingness to learn, and ready to do whatever it takes to succeed on the social web.

Question: Your industry is huge, how do you manage to stand out amongst other people in your field?

Answer: I am myself and don’t try to copy anyone else. Given my extensive business background and experience, I am able to go into a company as a business advisor, not just a social media consultant. I have created comprehensive 12-month strategic media and advertising plans for major brands with multi-million dollar budgets. Thus, my strength is strategy and integration. Every single business I work with will get proven hype-free advice from me. Everything I do is based on honesty, integrity, and results.

Question: What has been your favourite and most successful marketing platform or method?

Answer: For me, it is really not a matter of having a favourite. I understand that marketing takes experimentation and lots of dedication. The most successful for me as been integration traditional offline strategies with social media, search engine optimization, and e-mail marketing.

Question: Technology is constantly changing and evolving at amazing speed. How do you keep on top of your game and how do you suggest that the everyday entrepreneur keep up with it?

Answer: I am a student of my work and I love to learn and share my knowledge. So, doing lots of research and reading is always a priority for me. Entrepreneurs have a tendency to jump into things without conducting research or taking the time to learn. I always suggest putting time aside everyday to learn to do one new thing. In the long run, it will make a difference.

Question: What has been your biggest challenge in your business?

Answer: The biggest challenge has been educating people to stop following all the online hype and helping them trust that the Internet can grow their business if leveraged and used properly.

Question: What has been your greatest victory so far?

Answer: In last few years, I’ve had more victories than I’ve ever dreamed of. I would have to say overcoming many fears and getting out of my own way in order to accomplish all my goals has been the biggest victory for me.

Question: How do you define success?

Answer: I think success comes from within. It is not about having a specific amount of money or fame. When you are confident that you can achieve anything you set for yourself, comfortable in your skin and feel content with whatever you have in life, then you have truly succeeded.

Question: If you could give one piece of advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Answer: Take the time to find out what you are truly passionate about, believe you can do it, go for it with full focus and commitment, be patient, and never give up.

Question: Fast forward five years…what do you see?

Answer: I see a greater global shift due to social media, huge improvement in this crazy economy and hopefully more entrepreneurs achieving big dreams.

You can find Mirna: