Back-end operations

Business offers administrative help and more

Jarita "Dida" Clifton, left, owner of the Office Squad, founded the business in 2000. It has blossomed from a home-based venture into one that now has Centennial Hills-area corporate offices at 3620 N. Rancho Drive, Suite 111, which opened last summer. Photos by John Gurzinski/View Jarita "Dida" Clifton, left, owner of the Office Squad, works with Fallon Martinez on a client?s account on Sept. 2. Advertisement

Former U.S. Air Force Airmen Jarita "Dida" Clifton has been all over the world and is a big proponent of learning new things on the job.

That's why, in 2000, when the valley resident decided to found the Office Squad, a business that provides virtual administrative assistance, office management and bookkeeping, she did not let anything hold her back.

"I wanted a business that would allow me to be around for my children while they were young, and I saw a need, so I filled it," she said.

Clifton said most of her expertise comes from on-the-job training.

"I am married to a former lieutenant colonel, and being in the Air Force myself, we have seen a lot. We have done a lot," she said. "We lived in Germany for three years, where I learned to speak German. I have taken on all of the challenges in my life in the same way. With enthusiasm. And I don't allow challenges to become an excuse for not succeeding."

The business that Clifton started in her North Las Vegas home went big time when she added a new facet and moved to corporate offices at 3620 N. Rancho Drive, Suite 111, which opened last summer.

"Business owners are now busier than ever, and we wanted to give them added value for their dollar," she said. "That's why having a central location was so important."

The venture's new quarters, situated in the Rancho Gowan Business Park, measures 2,400 square feet and will provide room for future growth, as well as allowing the firm to provide additional services to its 100-plus client base.

Clifton said that clients have the opportunity to use the Office Squad property for conferences and meetings.

"There is really no need for them to rent a costly space on a monthly basis when they can conduct business here," she said.

The property also is equipped with a number of workstations, complete with computers and phone lines. The office also can operate as a home base for business owners who want to put the phone number on their business cards.

"It's a seamless transition," she said. "Our technology allows us to identify which business we are answering for, and we answer the phones as though this office belonged to that business."

Clifton said she realizes that there are other virtual assistants out there, but what she offers is a bit different.

"We also have a server that holds all of the programs you might need to run a successful business," she said. "It is accessible from any computer with an Internet connection and is backed up daily. If an individual had to create a server, pay for technical assistance and buy all the programs we offer, the investment would be in the thousands."

Marketing director Chauntelle Popp began as a contractor and client of the business but said she joined the team in April after years of working with Clifton.

"I was so impressed by her and just how she runs her business," Popp said. "It's innovative and done with integrity."

Clifton said she had been planning to expand her business to Reno before the economy crashed, but now plans are on hold.

"Just for the time being, though," she said.

Clifton said her eventual goal is to make the Office Squad a national brand, with satellite locations in every major city.

"That's where I would like to see the business going in 10 years," she said. "And I think we can do it. I think all business owners who are dedicated and determined can make their dreams happen.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.