How I Became a Virtual Assistant (and Why I Love What I Do)

If you’d asked me a few years ago whether I’d be running my own virtual assistant business, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Although I liked the idea of being a virtual assistant, I wasn’t someone who saw myself as a business owner or even as a “VA.” It all felt overwhelming. There was so much information out there and so many different ways to start (and run) a VA business. Some of the advice even contradicted itself. I had no idea where to begin.

But something kept nudging me.

My Search for Purpose (and Freedom)

I had tried lots of things to get a sense of purpose and feel like I was doing something good with my life, but they either didn’t work out or didn’t last.

I had always wanted a job that gave me the freedom I wanted (who doesn’t?). I always hated having a boss, dealing with coworkers (sorry not sorry), and never getting a real break. I had to leave my job as a preschool teacher in 2020, so I started freelance writing. And for a while, I loved it.

But writing alone wasn’t enough. I could never find enough work for it to be sustainable long-term, much less work that paid enough. It was exhausting, and I was burnt out. I wanted control over my time, enough money to live off, and I wanted to help others.

Finding My Way as a VA

Eventually, I became a freelance VA on Fiverr, and I genuinely loved it. I was actually helping people, no matter how big or small the tasks were. Creating systems, keeping things organized, and learning new tools was so much fun. It was so refreshing.

The problem was that Fiverr wasn’t enough. Again, had a few great clients, but nothing long-term. And I still wasn’t making enough money. I also ran into scams, and other platforms like Upwork weren’t much better. I needed a new approach.

This time, I didn’t just jump in blindly. I really took the time to learn what it meant to be a VA. I took free courses (I wasn’t making much money, after all), listened to podcasts, joined VA communities, and talked to people who were already doing it.

It wasn’t easy. The amount of information out there was still overwhelming. There were also moments I doubted myself. How could a shy introvert who hates talking on the phone be a virtual assistant? But each step forward felt like I was building something meaningful.

But with every step, I was building something that finally felt right.

Why I Love This Work

Being a virtual assistant brings together so many things I love:

• Organization

• Creativity

• Simplifying things

• Learning new skills

• Helping people breathe easier

I get to take the behind-the-scenes chaos off other people’s plates so they can focus on what they love doing. That alone makes this work feel so rewarding.

And then there’s the flexibility. Being able to set my own schedule is a huge deal. It’s given me the balance I was missing for so long.

Want to Know More?

If you’re thinking about stepping into the VA world, or you’re just feeling overwhelmed and could use some help behind the scenes, I’m here.

Let’s connect and chat about what’s possible.