Christine Durst and Michael Haaren, co-founders of Staffcentrix, are informed and inspirational speakers on a variety of topics.

Chris is credited with founding the Virtual Assistance industry and through their shared vision and leadership, she and Mike have have helped over 4,000 entrepreneurs from 65+ countries around the world start their own "virtual businesses". Together, they developed the “Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™” – a workshop series that is being delivered to military family members around the world to help them start businesses that can survive the mobility requirements of the modern military. The success of this program lead to the development of a similar program for the US Department of State - the e-Entrepreneur Training Program for Foreign Service Spouses™.

International authorities on Virtual Work and entrepreneurship, Durst and Haaren appear often in the media, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, the Singapore Straits Times, and the London Times. They have also delivered their message to audiences across the country including, the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development, Chase Manhattan Bank managers, The President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities, the Small Business Administration, the Association of Job Search Trainers, the Department of Defense Spouse Employment Conference, the National Association of REALTORS, Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities, Department of Labor's Workforce Innovations Conference, as well as numerous U.S. military installations.

Their new book "The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants" was published by Career Press in July 2005.

MOST REQUESTED PRESENTATIONS & PROGRAMS

A program for entrepreneurs who are reaching for the stars! This inspirational program delivers pearls of wisdom (and words or wit) gathered by Chris Durst and Michael Haaren as they started their own business and subsequently mentored/trained over 4,000 entrepreneurs from 65+ countries around the world. A perfect topic for entrepreneurs who need to be reminded that "stubbing your toe on the moon" is a far greater accomplishment than never having reached for the stars in the first place.
 

This interactive program challenges the audience to turn their backs on the "success yardstick" used society and define success on their own terms. Inspirational anecdotes and practical exercises help participants determine what their core values are so that they can build a "whole life" approach to making a life -- and a living. It's not about "having it all"...  it's about "having it good".
 

First, there were “Yuppies” (young, urban professionals), next came the “Dinks” (dual income, no kids), who were followed by the “Sitcoms” (single income, two children, oppressive mortgage).

Just when you thought demographic acronyms had become a thing of the past, you now find yourself sitting in a sea of commuter traffic, surrounded by enormous SUVs bearing vanity plates and cell phone wielding drivers behind every steering wheel. These are the DISTINCTIVEs - Dual Income Striving To Impress Neighbors & Co-workers yet Tormented by Increasing Vexation & Emptiness.