The journey started in 2014 when I started working for a Canadian Immigration Company conducting research and doing Social Media Management for them. As a newbie, I had no idea I was a Social Media Manager. All I knew was that I was helping out a friend while earning from being on my phone all the time. Why not? After careful consideration, I decided to do market research to find out how I could improve my skills to become the most sought-after Virtual Assistant in my region. It was then I realized that Virtual Assistance was an actual career. And the journey began.
That Canadian contract ended in 2015 and I was not exactly sure of where or what to do to attract new clients so naturally, I returned to the corporate “brick & mortar” world while still researching and working on how to gain new clients.
Research became a big part of my days and nights until I figured out how to start excelling as a Virtual Assistant.
During the period of research, I was also engaged in paid coaching from some of the best in the business, developing the skills that I already possessed and learning new ones that would be needed to bring out the leader in me in my own space. A few of the coaches I have had the pleasure of learning from were Julia O Barnes – Boss Teacher, Joan Wright Good – Business Startup & Publishing, The Six Figure Chick, and following the Women CEO Project on social media, learning from all the incredible pieces of content she puts out daily.
January 1, 2018, was the day my colleagues and I were told without any warning that our careers at the establishment had come to an end effective immediately. By this time I was already pregnant with my daughter, and diagnosed with a slipped disc and pinched nerve. That was hell! I had a horrible time even doing the things that we take for granted every day like using the restroom on our own.
I remember moving to another call center company and with me needing to get therapy weekly and the company not willing to allow me the time to get that done or switch shifts to be able to, I was having a hard time. It came down to making a decision. Was I gonna stick to their work schedule or be forced to leave and be able to attend my physical therapy on my own time? Yeah! In addition to being pregnant, I was given a hard time with my ailments, and on top of all that, I was given an ultimatum.
It was then that I decided to take their “suggestion” and resign. After all, by this time, the research was done on how to transition from being a part-time V.A. to becoming a full-time V.A. 2019 was going to be the year I let Virtual Assistance be my full-time lifestyle.
I say lifestyle because that is precisely what it is. I had to learn balance and flexibility, responsibility and accountability to myself. I had to develop a drive within me to see things through to the end in spite of any challenges or obstacles I faced.
Since becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I have never looked back and it has been the most rewarding time of my life. Now, I have the freedom to spend quality time with my family instead of traveling for 6 hours a day for a 10-hour shift. Going to therapy is not a problem as I set my own schedule. Now I am able to start giving others the opportunity to earn as well through teaching what I have learned along the way.
I am ready to help anyone who wants the same freedom I have.