Can you become a Virtual Assistant if you have a disability / chronic health issues?
Mel’s story might sound a little different on the outside, but once you read about her VA success you’ll feel enormously empowered to create a better working life for yourself too.
“If I can’t even manage a part-time job, how could I possibly run a business? Who would hire me? Who do I think I am?”
Here’s Mel Friday of Virtual Friday / Spoonie Biz Club, who bought the VA Starter Guide in April 2023
Mel, I know we’ve discussed this on episode 10 of my podcast but for those who haven’t listened, tell us what made you want to explore becoming a Virtual Assistant?
I have chronic health issues and physical disabilities. This was making employment difficult, even at part time hours. I constantly felt ashamed, a burden to my colleagues and seemed I constantly had to draw attention to the adjustments I needed. I was also being discriminated against and cruelly bullied by another member of staff. I was unsupported and my mental health declined significantly, leading to long term sick leave. I saw Catherine talk about VA work on social media, which I had never even heard of and it just seemed like it could be a really good fit for me, my skills and experience. So I decided that it was time to take control, have faith in myself and gain some positivity back.
Did you build your business alongside employment?
Yes
I’m glad you did, but goodness knows how you managed – as people will agree as they read on. Catherine
Who was your first client and where did you find them?
My first client was another VA who also has chronic health issues. She was looking to rebrand and move into more specialised services. I found them in a Facebook group – they had posted the job opportunity, I sent them an email and we hit it off straight away.
Another match made in heaven! Social media can be a massive time zap for us once we start doom scrolling, but as a business owner, social media takes on a whole new purpose, right? Finding clients! Catherine
Can you name something you’ve found difficult as a Virtual Assistant and how did you overcome it?
Imposter Syndrome and Isolation. Overcoming imposter syndrome is very difficult but in the process of trying to build a network to reduce isolation, I met some wonderful, inspiring people, some are VA’s others aren’t, but we all run our own small businesses and have built close friendships. Having faith in yourself is key, not just thinking ‘It will all work out’ but having faith that you will be OK and can handle it if it doesn’t.
In almost ten years of being in business I’ve found that imposter syndrome is rarely justified. I love to tell people ‘you can do this. You’re just as deserving as anyone else’. Catherine
What are some of the best things about being a Virtual Assistant?
Being able to choose who you work with and what you do for them – I have full autonomy over this now. Also, being able to manage my diary around appointments and varying health levels without impacting my clients, triggering sickness policies or having to ‘book time off’ has been a game changer.
Imagine having to get approval from another adult to have time off. Imagine having to postpone crucial appointments about your health because it doesn’t work for someone else. Game changer is the right phrase. Catherine
How do you find most of your clients?
Now, it’s from personal recommendations or #jobopp posts in the VA Facebook group.
How have your family’s finances changed since becoming a VA?
We are now debt free, have made some home improvements without using credit AND actually have savings – which includes a business emergency fund! Never thought I would be able to say any of that!
Ha! Same here. In 2012, when employed I cried when my fridge freezer broke. In 2020, when that one broke I went all out and bought an American style one with a water dispenser and didn’t think twice! I never imagined being able to do that without borrowing money. Catherine.
What has being a VA enabled you to do that you couldn’t as an employee?
When I was employed, I felt limited to part-time hours and believed that was the most I could ever work, or earn. But as a VA, I’ve realised there’s no ceiling. I set my own hours, work when I’m most productive, and have an adapted home office that actually supports my needs. Instead of pushing through long days just to scrape by, I now give my best energy to my clients. And the best part? I only work with people I truly believe in – no more wasting energy on people who don’t align with my values!
I couldn’t be more happier for you, Mel. Catherine
Describe your VA business to me
All of my clients are direct, I have been very fortunate to not need to do any associate work. I keep the 20% rule in mind but I have not been able to apply this fully due to the clients I have being large contracts. However, I have ensured that my income is spread over multiple clients so I feel confident that I have a good safety net.
For anyone who isn’t sure what the The 20% Rule is, it’s the title of my second bestselling book. ‘No one client should take up more than 20% of your time, or your income’. Because if you ever lost them, you could be in financial trouble until you can replace them. But it sounds to me that Mel has everything in place to avoid anything happening. Catherine
How is your work / life balance different now, as a full-time VA?
Instead of seeing my disability as a barrier to work, I now recognise it as an asset in many ways – and often, it’s not even a factor. I can do everything I offer without it being an obstacle. My work-life balance has improved massively because I have full control over my schedule. I can plan my diary so that appointments fit around work, meet a friend for lunch, or spend time with my niblings, all while ensuring my clients still get the hours they need – no annual leave required! As long as you set boundaries to keep work from spilling into personal life, self-employment is truly the best thing ever!
Niblings? I had to Google that. I almost changed it to siblings. Haaa, it’s brilliant. I love that you have boundaries in place, it’s not easy to do as we have an employee mindset where we think we have to do things we’re not comfortable with, or that we don’t enjoy, to avoid losing our job. It’s totally different when you’re self-employed, right? For those unsure, here are some boundaries you may want to incorporate into your own VA business. Catherine
How do you manage your work day as a Virtual Assistant?
Every day looks different for me depending on my pain levels and health, so I structure my work around when I’m most focused, factoring in low-energy periods, priorities, and deadlines. I plan breaks and lunch in my calendar to stop myself from working through them. To stay on top of tasks, I use Asana for tracking, and when I need extra focus or accountability, I join co-working or body-doubling sessions – they make a huge difference!
Scheduling breaks is such an important thing to mention, thank you! As we work from home, it’s too easy to take a break with your phone and not switch off. Catherine
What software could you, personally, not work without?
Asana, LastPass, Dragon 360 and Toggl
These are Mel’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?
I worked hard to build my career and was incredibly proud of the work I did for many years. So when my health declined to the point where my job became too difficult, I felt like a failure. “How could I be a Virtual Assistant if my disability stops me even coping with a part-time job? Who would hire me? Who do I think I am?” Those thoughts ran through my mind constantly. Taking the leap into self-employment as a VA was terrifying, but now I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. I only wish I had done it sooner.
Being open about my disabilities changed everything. Instead of being a barrier, it became the very reason my clients chose me – because they are disabled too. What I once saw as my biggest obstacle became my greatest strength. I am a business owner first, disabled second, but really, it’s all just *me*. I’ve come to realise that so many of us take the self-employment path not out of choice, but because traditional employment doesn’t work for us.
That’s why I created a space where disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent business owners can connect and support each other, because we deserve a community that truly understands our experiences.
None of this would have happened if I hadn’t found Catherine on TikTok and bought her starter guide. It literally changed my life!
I couldn’t agree more. There’s no way I could’ve worked a 9-5 or even a 10-2 since 2016. Becoming a Virtual Assistant came at the right time for me and I am just delighted I can help others to become one too. Catherine
Taking the leap into self-employment as a VA was terrifying, but now I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. I only wish I had done it sooner.