Being a Virtual Assistant is brilliant. You get freedom, flexibility, and the ability to work from anywhere in the world. But it is not an easy gig or a lazy side hustle; it’s a proper career that takes hard work to set up. In this post, I’ll explain what’s really involved in starting and running a successful VA business, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
I know from experience that when you first discover Virtual Assistants exist and you suspect you might want to be one, you research the subject to death and then quickly become overwhelmed with information. So, here are the most frequently asked questions about becoming a Virtual Assistant to help you decide if it’s the right career for you.
In an incredibly short period of time, the world has gone from barely any AI to it being absolutely everywhere. The speed seems to double every few days, and the constant updates and developments are enough to make your head spin. But is it a threat to the Virtual Assistant industry, and if so, what can we do about it? Let’s ask it, shall we?
I have an entire website on how to set up and run a successful Virtual Assistant business, but I recently realised I didn’t have a post that explains what a VA actually is and what they do as I kinda assumed you knew! So, if you were wondering what a VA is and the kinds of tasks they do for clients, here’s a simple breakdown.
Martha Kilner lives in NE London with her husband and three children. She started her Virtual Assistant business, Any Other Business, in January 2024 after facing redundancy twice in the education sector. A primary school teacher for 20 years, Martha now supports education-focused clients and has even appeared in Business Insider and on the BBC!
Holly Copsey lives with her partner and two children in Essex. She set up her Virtual Assistant business (now an award-winning agency), Virtually Priceless, in 2018 during a separation and while seven months pregnant with her second child. Holly now runs a team of over 30 Virtual Assistants from her stable yard offices, and goes horseriding between meetings!
Okay, grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and maybe a large pack of biscuits because today, we’re diving into the wild, high-octane world of your legal responsibilities as a UK Virtual Assistant. The subject is as dull as ditchwater, but if you’re going to run your own VA business, you need to understand how to stay protected and compliant.
Monthly retainers are one of the most reliable pricing models. They provide a predictable income, ensure clients always have access to your time, streamline your workload, eliminate uncertainty and help create stable, long-term working relationships. In this post, I’ll cover how monthly retainers work, when to use them, and common mistakes to avoid.
Setting your Virtual Assistant rates can be tricky. Charge too little and you’ll struggle to make a living; charge too much without proving your value, and clients may walk away. This post breaks down hourly, retainer, project, and day rate pricing models so you can confidently set rates that are fair, sustainable, and reflect the value you bring to your clients’ businesses.
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Nikki Ince. Nikki is the owner of Willow Social, a Virtual Assistant company based in Essex. She initially only provided onsite admin support to local businesses but went fully virtual in 2013 and now provides social media support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. This is her VA story.
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with single Mum Rachel Rose. After her divorce ten years ago, Rachel left the UK to take a six-month travel sabbatical, but instead of returning, ended up moving to Ibiza, Spain, where she still lives with her 3.5-year-old son. Rachel has been running her Virtual Assistant business since June 2024.
