After rising through the ranks in a multinational corporation, I reached a breaking point due to stress and burnout. In 2014, I transitioned to remote work by becoming a virtual assistant (VA) after being denied a raise. Starting off on Upwork, I secured my first client within 24 hours and gradually built up a client base over the next few months, enabling me to leave my previous job. By the end of my first year as a VA, I was earning around $65,000.
Initially, I struggled with clients who didn't fully understand the role of a virtual assistant and expected me to work traditional hours, leading to feelings of being an employee rather than self-employed. This, along with burnout in 2016, made me reconsider my career path.
In 2017, I transitioned from hourly pay to a retainer model, which significantly increased my earnings as a VA. Moving away from trading time for money, I analyzed the value I added to clients' businesses and developed a pricing structure based on this, ultimately leading to higher retainers and a more balanced workload.
Today, I work with a select number of long-term clients, and my revenue has grown to $144,000 per year. Thanks to the strong relationships I've built, clients often offer to increase my retainer without me having to ask. Furthermore, my role has evolved beyond basic tasks to that of a strategic partner in my clients' businesses, affording me experiences and opportunities to develop my own skills and business.
Now, I am leveraging the skills and knowledge gained from my clients to transition my business into one that supports aspiring virtual assistants in achieving similar levels of success. I aim to share my expertise by offering courses, and coaching sessions, and building an online audience to facilitate the growth of other virtual assistant businesses.