Ask the Master Newsletter Archives

Welcome to the previous editions of the Ask the Master newsletter. On your left you will find links to tips and the how to’s of running a Virtual Assistant practice. We hope you enjoy your stay and if you have a question you’d like answered send it to submission@vatp.ca.

Transitioning To Full-Time VA

Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Master Virtual Assistant

• Canadian Virtual Assistant Network
• Working Full-Time
• Working With Young Children At Home
• Honest Communication

The Canadian Virtual Assistant Network (CVAN) is dedicated to bringing further awareness to the profession of Virtual Assisting in Canada and around the world. Our network community is made up of virtual assistants across Canada who have common goals.

The CVAN is about creating a supportive community, sharing knowledge and resources, and demonstrating professionalism at all times.

The Canadian Virtual Assistant Network offers its members a variety of benefits to assist them in growing their practice, find clients, and develop a support network with other VA's.

Is it possible to work full-time and still have a VA business? Absolutely! However not without it's challenges.

One of the issues you need to consider is how much time you can dedicate to working on your business while maintaining some work/life balance in your life. Decide what times you will set aside for working on your business. Will you work on weekends? How many evenings or mornings a week? What hours?

Client location may be a factor when determining your hours. For instance a VA located on the east coast would have an easier time servicing a client on the west coast in the evening with the 3-hour time difference. It would be more challenging when the situation is reversed unless you were able to work in the morning hours before work.

For some of us the decision to become a VA is influenced by our values around family. It is important we are available to family and want to even up the balance between our work and personal lives. This is often the case when there are small children at home. Being a VA helps us live our lives based on our values.

Once again there can be a transition from full-time parent to full-time VA. We may first begin working around nap times and in the evenings. As children get older we may require additional support from outside parties. What worked well for me was to have someone come into my home to watch my children starting at one day a week and progressing to five days a week once they began to go to school. This allowed me to build the business while still being able to spend time and be there for my children.

It is important to have honest communication with potential clients around your work situation so they have realistic expectations about your availability. Reassure them you can handle their requests in a timely manner. Keep in mind that your participation in their business will be limited by your hours. Be sure you will be able meet their requirements going forward as well.

Once again it's important that potential clients understand your home situation. Be up front with your priorities as a parent. My experience was that clients appreciated my honesty and honouring my values. Any clients who did not were not ideal clients for me.

Due to some of these limitations it will be more difficult to grow your business. You will only be able to grow the business so far, then at some point you will need to take a leap of faith, making the decision to transition to full-time VA.