I became a full time Virtual Assistant and this is what happened…
It’s all very well me getting such wonderful feedback from buyers immediately after they finish the VA Starter Guide, but what about months later?
Did it work? How’s life changed? Is that happier, healthier and wealthier life I bang on about actually achievable?
Let’s ask Ellie Norris of What The Ell, who bought the VA Starter Guide in January 2024
Ellie, what made you want to explore becoming a Virtual Assistant?
I am diagnosed AuDHD and wasn’t getting the support I needed in my job. I wanted a better work life balance and to be treated fairly!
This is all too common and I do get it. Businesses need to make a profit in order for them to be able to pay you, to keep you in employment, but they’ve not yet found a way to do that while also meeting the needs of those who may be neurodiverse, have chronic health conditions, disabled children, etc. Your decision to start your own business was both brave and inspiring. Catherine
Did you build your business alongside employment?
Yes
This is always my recommendation. While the VA Starter Guide gives you EVERYTHING you need to launch as a Virtual Assistant, it’s up to YOU to implement it and that’s how you get clients. My advice is to always stay employed until you’re earning enough as a VA to say ‘c’ya’ to the 9-5. Catherine
Who was your first client and where did you find them?
My first client was an ADHD Coach who contacted me through LinkedIn.
Sounds like a match made in heaven! LinkedIn remains one of the best places to get clients because it’s so much easier to reach our target demographic – small business owners. Catherine
Can you name something you’ve found difficult as a Virtual Assistant and how did you overcome it?
Motivation is something I often struggle with. I am happy to help my clients, but when it comes to my own work, like social media/marketing, it is often hard to remain consistent.
I get it. It might be because we, as humans, like to see results quickly. I eat well for three days and can’t see any difference to my midriff and want to give up! Marketing is a long game, but needs to be done consistently – as Ellie knows. You won’t ‘see’ instant results, but they’re coming! Catherine
What are some of the best things about being a Virtual Assistant?
Better work life balance, choosing who I work with, the money.
Ah, that bittersweet ‘choosing who I work with’. What I’d have given to be able to do that when I was employed, especially since employers insist on these awful open plan offices! Catherine
How do you find most of your clients?
LinkedIn, associate roles and agencies.
How have your family’s finances changed since becoming a VA?
My finances are a lot better! Self employment isn’t for the faint hearted, but it can be amazing!
The finances situation was a massive unexpected benefit of becoming a VA for me too and I am so happy it’s made yours better, Ellie. Charging in excess of £30 an hour (as of 2025) – putting aside 30% for tax and NI – really can change your wealth. It certainly opened up my income ceiling to a level I would not have achieved as an employee. Catherine.
What has being a VA enabled you to do that you couldn’t as an employee?
Go to bingo on a Monday with my nan who has Alzheimers. My anxiety has dramatically reduced, not having to commute to an office everyday and I get to spend all day with my dogs now!
I couldn’t love that first line anymore if I wanted to. I bang on about how becoming a VA can massively enhance your work / life balance and doing all the things that everyone can relate to, but what it really boils down to sometimes, is things like that. I love this for you, Ellie. Catherine
Describe your VA business to me
My clients are currently, 40% my own directly, 20% of my time is on associate work and 20% with an agency. I try to stick to the 20% rule where I can.
The 20% Rule is the title of my second bestselling book. My way of ensuring my business always thrive is by ensuring, no one client should take up more than 20% of your time, or your income. Because if you ever lost them, you’d be in financial trouble until you can replace them. Catherine
How is your work / life balance different now, as a full-time VA?
Amazing! I don’t have to worry about asking for time off to go to appointments or for my birthday. I can get my appointments done in my own time, and not worry about rushing around “after work”.
It feels somewhat barbaric to think ‘wait, I used to ask another grown up if I could have a holiday?’. Love that we also no longer have to cram things in, clock watch and burn out before the weekend. Catherine
How do you manage your work day as a Virtual Assistant?
I am a list maker! I make sure I have a loose plan every day/week for what I need to get done and by when. I try to stay flexible as things change quite quickly. I still set an alarm, but definitely not for as early as before!
Another hidden benefit of being your own boss. You structure your day and your to-do list as YOU choose. You do things when it suits your body clock, the hours when you’re most productive. Catherine
What software could you, personally, not work without?
Google Workspace, Trello, Microsoft Office, WhatsApp Business, Canva
These are Ellie’s must haves. Don’t fret if you can’t use these. What other VAs use to run their business is a choice. It does not mean you need to learn how to use the same pieces of software to become a full time successful VA. You obviously need to be confident and competent in software that enables you to provide the services you’ve chosen to offer, but there isn’t ‘one piece of software’ out there that you ‘need’ to learn to ‘get those clients’. Catherine
On a scale of 1-10 how unemployable are you now after being a VA for as long as you have?
(10 being ‘your mug shot is probably in every recruitment agency with a warning’)
Ten
Anything else you’d like to add? Perhaps some words of encouragement for others?
Definitely don’t give up! There have been times I thought it was too hard and I wasn’t going to get anywhere, but I persevered and here I am!
Absolutely true. Like I said above, we sometimes think we need to see results immediately. Look, if it was that easy EVERYONE would be starting their own business. Keep at it. Keep building a relevant audience, keep telling them what you do, tell them about you too and this will happen, just like it has for Ellie. Catherine
(Being a Virtual Assistant means I can) go to bingo on a Monday with my nan who has Alzheimers. My anxiety has dramatically reduced, not having to commute to an office everyday and I get to spend all day with my dogs now!