When I first started my own VA business, all I knew was that I wanted more freedom and flexibility in my life. Like My VA Business founder, Sarah, I’d just had my second child and I found that going back to my office job just didn’t make financial sense. I would actually have been paying to go to work!

The thought of starting my own business didn’t really occur to me and in all honesty, I kind of fell into it. But what I didn’t realise back then was just how much I would come to love this way of working.

For me, being a Virtual Assistant has been about so much more than just working from home. It’s given me the chance to build a business that works around my family, my lifestyle and even my dogs. 

Here are the things I love most about being a VA – and why you might love it too.

I’ve got three kids, all at different ages and stages of education. Being there for them was always important to me, and working for myself has allowed me to do that.

I still do the school pick-ups for my youngest, stand on the football pitch for my son and watch all my oldest daughters degree performances and exhibitions. I can be around when they need me, and I don’t have to miss the little (or big) moments. That flexibility is priceless, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I’m so grateful I made this choice.

I also have two dogs at home, and I love that I don’t have to leave them for hours every day. Working from home means they’ve got company, and I can take them out for walks when it suits me. It might sound like a small thing, but it makes such a big difference to my day.

One of the things I was worried about when I started out was whether I’d feel isolated working on my own. But actually, it’s been the complete opposite.

I’ve had the chance to work alongside some amazing VAs, freelancers, self employed contractors and of course, the lovely My VA Business team. Even though we all run our own businesses, there’s a real sense of teamwork and community. It feels like I’ve got colleagues, without the office politics!

Another thing I love? My clients.

I get to work with interesting, inspiring business owners who genuinely value the support I provide. They say thank you, they appreciate the lengths I go to, and I can actually see the impact I’m having. That sense of appreciation and purpose is something I sadly never really felt in many of my old roles.

This journey has been a massive learning curve – in the best possible way.

I’m now way more tech-savvy than I used to be. I love finding new tools, apps and systems that streamline processes, save time and boost productivity – both for me and my clients. 

Running a VA business keeps me constantly learning and growing, and that’s something I really thrive on.

When I first started, my main focus was copywriting. I’d spent years writing, it was what I knew.

Over time, I discovered I loved the admin side of things more. Helping clients organise, streamline and make their businesses run smoothly was where I excelled.

One of the things I’m grateful for about being a VA is that my business can change with me. As my interests, skills and life circumstances evolve, so can the work I do and the services I offer. It’s a career that grows with me, not one I have to fit into.

I’ll be honest – starting out was scary. Why would anyone want to hire me? Would anyone pay me? I was petrified about networking and having to prove I was good at what I did.

I still wouldn’t say I’m the most confident person in the world, but growing my business over the years has opened my eyes to my strengths. I’ve learned how strong I can be when I need to be, and that confidence – even if it’s quiet – is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

One of the things I really appreciate about running my VA business is being in charge of my own income.

Right now, I’m really happy working part-time hours. I earn enough to have money for holidays and little treats for the family – and that feels just right for me. But what’s great is knowing that if I ever wanted to, I could ramp things up, take on more hours, and bring in more income.

That sense of choice and flexibility is so different from being in a salaried role. It’s empowering to know the control is in my hands.

For me, being a VA ticks all the boxes: flexibility, freedom, fulfilment and the chance to do work I actually enjoy.

It’s not always easy – like any business, it takes effort to get started and keep going. But the rewards are huge.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a VA, I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And with the right support, there’s no reason you can’t create this kind of life for yourself too.

Ready to explore it for yourself? Find out how My VA Business can help you get started.

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