When I first moved to Mexico, I had no idea that a laptop and a bit of creativity would eventually lead me to start my own Virtual Assistant business.
Picture it, Sicily, 1922… Just kidding (iykyk, I grew up with the Golden Girls).. but back to my story..
Newly married, I packed up my life and moved to Mexico with my husband (who’s from here). Palm trees, sunshine, endless tacos, living the dream, right? Except, one tiny detail: I had no job, no plan, couldn’t even order those tacos in Spanish, and just found out I was pregnant.
Eight months in, my savings account was crying for help and reality was knocking on the door.
So, in true Terri fashion, I did what any resourceful (and slightly panicked) new mom-to-be would do: I spent the last of my savings on my very first laptop and landed a remote job taking pizza orders for a Canadian call center. Glamorous? Not exactly. But it paid the bills.
After my daughter was born, I was clicking away with one hand on the mouse while holding and breastfeeding my daughter with the other. It wasn’t easy, but I was so grateful to have that job, mainly because it was the first step toward building something bigger.
After a few months in, my daughter eventually got into a napping routine, and I found myself sitting around bored, which I do not do well with! I had always been a creative person, and with a laptop, I had tried vlogging during my pregnancy, but I realized I enjoyed the editing process far more than being on camera, so I shifted my interest into blogging. I taught myself how to build a WordPress site strictly through YouTube tutorials and a bit of googling. That opened up a whole new world for me and down some rabbit holes of SEO, structuring a blog, marketing, and sponsorships, you name it, and I loved it! But I also knew blogging would be a long game and I was trying to get myself out of having a schedule and the j-o-b structure, not to mention I was increasingly having issues with with either the internet, the power randomly shutting off, or just having barking dogs in the background all while I was supposed to be on calls simply trying to take a pizza order!!
In addition to absorbing as much knowledge on Youtube, I had also joined Facebook groups for bloggers and entrepreneurs. That’s when I stumbled across the term Virtual Assisting. It really got me thinking, as years earlier, I had completed an Executive Assistant certificate at my local community college, but I had no idea I could use those skills remotely. To be honest, I kind of ignored it as I had only worked in an office for a couple years but mostly my working background was waitressing and bartending for the past 10 years prior to moving to Mexico, so I really didn’t think I was qualified to offer my services professionally, let alone to actual business owners!
Eventually I kind of gave into the idea and joined some webinars and workshops on starting a VA business. One day, I saw a post from someone looking for help filing receipts, and I figured, that was easy enough and responded. That one small gig turned into something bigger almost overnight. When the world shut down due to COVID after 2 weeks of signing on with this clients, I was suddenly tasked with helping a brick-and-mortar school transition into a fully remote program. It was trial by fire, and I loved every minute of it!
The best part? I was able to do this alongside working the call center as it did not have a set schedule and I was able to work on tasks with my little one right there and I would just do the call center shifts in the evenings when my husband got home. That gave me a safety net, so I could learn, experiment, and confidently turn down offers from people who wanted to pay me pennies and at times to work for free for the “experience.” Eventually, I built up enough clients, skills, and confidence (with the help of online training, webinars, and eventually investing in a coach) to create an exit plan and leave the call center behind.
And that’s what I want you to know: you don’t have to quit your job tomorrow to start your VA business. You can build it slowly, intentionally, and with a plan.
The Myth of “You have to go all in to prove you’re committed”
There’s this idea floating around online that to succeed, you need to go “all in.” For some, that works. But for most of us, especially those with families or responsibilities, that’s not realistic.
Starting your Virtual assistant business on the side isn’t “playing small.” It’s strategic. It’s giving yourself the space to grow without putting yourself under unnecessary financial pressure.
Step 1: Use the skills you already have
You don’t need to reinvent yourself to become a VA.
Think about what you’re already good at:
- Customer service. I used mine from the call center.
- Scheduling and organizing. Even though I didn’t want to take on the extra responsibility, I started another project with the call center as a scheduler for supportive housing to gain more knowledge.
- Writing emails or editing documents.
- Even hobbies like blogging, social media, or light design work making digital designs in canva.
Almost every job you’ve had, has taught you skills that can translate into VA services.
Step 2: Start building with just a few hours a day
When I started, I only had nap times and when she was occupied either snacking in her high chair or in her bouncy chair watching Elmo’s world, maybe 2–3 hours max during the day. But those hours made all the difference.
Instead of hustling nonstop, I worked in short, productive blocks. That rhythm stuck with me, even now. Today, I still run my business in just 2- 3 hours a day, and it’s enough.
Your VA business doesn’t need to consume your life, especially when you are first starting out. You can start part-time, test services, and get your first client with just a couple hours of focused effort.
Step 3: Set up a safety net
This part is key. Having another income source, whether it’s a job or side gig, allows you to:
- Learn without desperation.
- Say no to clients asking you to take on tasks that are intended for multiple roles for lower pay.
- Build slowly and intentionally.
- Create a clear exit plan when you decide it’s time.
That safety net was what gave me the confidence to invest in myself, work with a coach, and start charging rates I felt good about.
Final Thoughts
Starting a Virtual Assistant business doesn’t have to mean quitting your job overnight. It can begin with small steps, using the skills you already have, working a couple of focused hours a day, and creating a safety net that supports your growth.
That’s exactly why I created my roadmap, No FLUFF Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Virtual Assistant Business, to help you start your VA business with clarity and confidence, without having to risk it all. Because the truth is, the best businesses aren’t built out of desperation. They’re built from a place of stability and vision.
With Love,
Terri