Out of Office But Not Out of Touch

Kimberly Kissel was an active member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) during her high school years in Momence. And she always performed well in the typing contests held at Ball State University.

She didn’t know it at the time, but she was laying the foundation for her own business – Out of Office, Inc, in Darien.

During her senior year, Kissel worked as a secretary at Eastern Illinois Trust & Savings Bank in Momence.

“Once I tried the secretarial stuff, (I thought), ‘I really like this, and I’m good at it!’” she said. “And that started it all.”

By graduation, Kissel had already lined up a job with Don Tennant Advertising in Chicago. Her mom said, “You’re not going by yourself.”

So Kissel’s mom moved with her to an apartment in River Grove. Mom found her own job on the same block in Chicago.

The city provided opportunities for personal growth. While working full-time, Kissel tried modeling. She even entered some pageants. She said it helped her overcome her extreme shyness.

“I was so shy,” she explained. “I would not walk into a front door by myself. Somebody had to go in front of me.”

Kissel worked in various administrative positions for several Chicago companies, including American National Can. Her hard work paid off when she was hired to be the assistant to the chairman at AC Nielsen.

“That was really the launching career,” she said. “After that, I worked for CEOs and Chairmen.”

When AC Nielsen went public and moved to Connecticut, Kissel went with them. Her mom stayed behind.

“That was difficult,” said Kissel. “I’d never been away from home before.”

Three years later, as the business changed, Kissel considered her options and decided to return home. She found another job that she really loved. And then another.

But while in Connecticut, she’d heard about a new field – virtual assistance. The seed was planted.

In 2006, when the most recent company was sold, Kissel took the plunge. She opened Out of Office, Inc, offering her services as a virtual assistant. Those positive working relationships that she’d established in her corporate jobs have helped build her business. In fact, three of those CEOs are now her clients, and they’ve referred her services to others.

“Anything the corporate assistant can do, I can do,” she explained. "Powerpoint, scheduling, bills. I’m here to keep them on time, keep them on track, do things the right way for them.”

Shy no more, Kissel cites her comfort in talking with anyone at any level as one of her greatest strengths. “They’re just people,” she explained. “They’ve got huge responsibilities and huge jobs, but they’re still just people.”

As her business savvy grew, Kissel added another division to Out of Office, Inc. For years, she’s made three-dimensional note cards as a hobby. She just gave them as gifts until people began asking to buy them for special occasions. Now she sells them under the name Kissel Kreations. And she and her mom have begun making jewelry to add to the line of products.

Kissel has found her niche as a business owner, doing work she clearly enjoys.

“I like taking care of people,” she said.

Her clients would agree that she takes very good care of them.

For more information, contact Kim Kissel at 630-541-2425 or kim.kissel@outofofficeinc.com, or go to www.outofofficeinc.com .