Staff Writer
HOULTON — Accuracy is her business.
“One word can change the meaning of the text,” said Kathy Miskelly of Aroostook Transcriptions, a virtual assistance service.
READY TO WORK — Kathy Miskelly of Aroostook Transcriptions is ready to help you with your business, individual needs
Miskelly started her business last fall after attending a New Ventures class in Presque Isle.
“We can travel across the country and from a hotel room log in to our work computer, just as if we were sitting at our desk and with a touch of a button, send a document through cyberspace to the network printer at our home office.”
In a similar way, a virtual assistant can be seated in Houlton and completing projects for a company anywhere in the world.
“I started Aroostook Transcriptions as a virtual assistance business to serve clients locally and anywhere in the United States via the Internet with typing, transcription and data projects,” said Miskelly. “Though many office tasks must be done in person, others lend themselves well to the virtual office.”
Aroostook Transcriptions is available to both local and distant businesses to assist them with extra tasks.
“Transcription is easy to manage over the Internet,” explained Miskelly, who also can complete typing of handwritten notes or manuscripts, formatting a mailing list to be used in mail merge, typing a report due tomorrow or assisting with office software questions.
“I want to demonstrate a good work ethic and to provide accurate, professional services, respecting the client’s schedule and confidentiality,” she said.
Miskelly’s business was born partly from necessity to make it possible to have a flexible schedule, which allows her to be available to care for her mother.
Aroostook Transcriptions is located at 82 Court St. in Houlton and Miskelly’s specialty is theological transcription, sermons, conferences and lectures.
“Much of the transcribed material is for editing to be published in book form and also for translation,” she said.
But, she also handles general transcription and can assist those who wish to prepare manuscripts for a publisher or self-publishing, typed from handwritten manuscript or audio.
“My business also offers other computer services assisting with word processing, mail lists, spreadsheets and database applications,” added Miskelly. “I think the computer is a valuable tool that should work for us. It is my goal on the computer services side of the business to offer reasonably priced assistance or training to local, small businesses.”
Miskelly, who grew up in Maryland, worked for 20 years as a missionary in Spain. When she returned stateside, she worked 10 years as an administrative assistant for a Christian ministry in Florida, “ which produced audio, video materials, books and radio programs,” she explained.
“ Along with regular administrative assistant duties, I did transcription and coordinated our transcription projects and served as registrar for our distant learning courses,” said Miskelly. “This also allowed me to learn to use databases and the computer to work for me … to be a tool to accomplish more in an easier way. I’ve completed college classes in various office software programs and have a PC Specialist certificate.”
Miskelly, who knew little about the local area, searched the Internet to find a house for sale and discovered Andy Mooers’ website, video and blogs.
“I came to visit and moved here in August of 2010,” she said. “Moving here was a move made by choice to be able to live in a safe, rural area and to be part of a community like Houlton.”
Miskelly can be reached by calling 521-5662 or e-mail atmaine@me.com.
One of Miskelly’s hobbies is sewing, which has turned into a sideline business, as well.
“I do computer-assisted machine embroidery and pattern drafting,” she said. “I use the computer to aid in art, as well as business projects.”
