How I Started My Virtual Assistant Career and Freelancing Journey

Welcome, friend! Today, I am sharing my journey on how I launched my freelancing career as a virtual assistant. This piece has been languishing in my drafts, gathering dust for what feels like an eternity and I basically have written different versions of it. My hope is that whether you're curious about what a virtual assistant does or considering taking the leap into freelancing, my story will provide inspiration and guidance.

My journey began in the bustling BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and call centre industry back in 2004. With the Philippines being a major hub for outsourcing firms, opportunities to work from home were scarce at this point. Employing my communication skills and touch typing, I navigated the fast-paced world of BPO and honed my multitasking and data management abilities day by day.

The long hours at the call centre were gruelling, and the commute back home was exhausting. Every day, I would return home late, famished and exhausted, only to wake up after four hours of sleep and again early for my next shift. It was a relentless cycle that left little room for quality time with my family and loved ones, most especially to myself.

Driven by my desire for flexibility and personal growth, the moment I got the chance, I transitioned to teaching ESL online in the year 2008. This experience was pivotal - it introduced me to the immense potential of the digital work landscape. It highlighted the benefits and convenience of working from home (although my employment at the time was on-site), a concept relatively new to Filipinos.

I stumbled upon the concept of a "virtual assistant" during one of my late-night internet explorations. Does Elance-oDesk, ring a bell? Don't look at me like that! LOL.

The idea of working from home, setting my own hours, and having more control over my income was incredibly appealing. However, the path was not yet paved for the Filipino populace. There were no YouTube tutorials, no free and paid online courses for virtual assistants, and not a lot of automation tools, etc.

Realising this potential, I decided to blend my BPO and call centre experience with my newfound passion for digital work – thus the eventual marking inception of "Your Daily VA" a few years later. Offering a variety of services from administrative tasks to social media management, I embraced the role of a virtual assistant with fervour and determination.

I was stepping into uncharted territory, but the potential benefits for my family and me were too significant to ignore. So, I decided to take the plunge, every small victory was a step forward.

Despite the challenges, I have no regrets that I took that leap of faith. It was tough, balancing between finding clients and teaching, all while taking care of my children. There were times when I questioned my decision, faced with the dilemma of whether to go broke and keep on looking for the right client or to go back to the call centres.

Fast forward to today, I am now running Your Daily Virtual Assistant, alongside Pinay VA Services on Upwork, helping clients worldwide while still being able to take care of my obligations at home. It's been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Yeah, it's a one-man show. But it has its perks and rewards.

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of being a virtual assistant is learning the process for each client. This isn't something taught; it's learned through experience. Every client has unique needs and preferences, and adapting to these requires patience, understanding, and a keen sense of observation.

Looking back, I don't know how I managed to emerge from all the challenges. But I did, and I believe it was my unwavering determination and resilience that carried me through. My journey wasn't just about becoming a virtual assistant; it was about proving to myself that I could overcome any obstacle that came my way and I was able to keep myself relevant in today's employment market. It was about resilience and determination, anything is possible.

In closing, I want to express that being a virtual assistant or pursuing any form of freelancing requires dedication and grit. It’s as rewarding as it is demanding and it’s certainly not for everyone. But if you see its potential and are willing to put in the effort, the benefits are beyond comparison. It has been a remarkable ride, my friends. And remember, even when resources seem scarce, there's always a way!

I will leave you with these questions to consider:

• What potential do you see in freelancing?
• Are you prepared to face the challenges associated with being a virtual assistant?
• Which aspect of my journey resonated most with you?

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