Do I need to have worked in admin to be a Virtual Assistant?
If ever that question could be answered any clearer with a ‘NO’ it’s in this case study.
Meet Louise Kakos, of LA Virtual Business Support, who bought the VA Starter Guide in February 2024
Louise, what made you want to explore becoming a Virtual Assistant?
I spent the last 12 years setting up, from the ground upwards, a dental practice, including design, building and development stages, application for change of use, CQC applications and inspections processes, to the recruitment, marketing and getting the first patients through the door to it being a busy thriving practice.
In 2022 my personal life changed I sold my shares and set out on a new adventure. VA work made alot of sense with all my business experience and the attention to detail, audits and customer service skills and much more that I had gained. So I hit the ground running and started Catherine’s courses.
Crikey, just submitting an application for change of use can be an enormous undertaking with some council’s. I can’t believe what you did, all that you achieved, that’s incredible. What I love is it shows just how diverse Virtual Assistant’s backgrounds can be. Catherine
Who was your first client and where did you find them?
My first client was an aesthetic clinic, Nu Beau. I met the owner at my children’s school. Another client was a dentist I had previously worked with. I then onboarded a window company through word of mouth. The latest is another dental practice owner. I onboard his new leads. I found this client through another VA I met in Catherine’s Facebook group.
People we have interacted with before or have mutual connections are often our first clients, which is why it’s so important to talk in detail, about what you do, whenever someone asks. Catherine
Can you name something you’ve found difficult as a Virtual Assistant and how did you overcome it?
Getting myself confident in showing up in person on social media. I’m still working on this. I’m officially awful at it.
Haaa. I bet you’re not awful at it. We are our own worst critics. I’ve put out some absolute blinders over the years that’d probably now make me want to crawl under a rock. Catherine
What are some of the best things about being a Virtual Assistant?
Working with clients I choose is by far the most amazing part of being a VA. Also being able to pick up my girls from school and being able to attend school events as your work life balance is on your own terms. Nothing beats this.
I hear you and I really wish I’d been able to be a Virtual Assistant when my daughter was younger. It would’ve made life much less stressful. I really struggled as a single Mum and being a VA would’ve made everything easier. I’m so pleased you get to have that. Catherine
How do you find most of your clients?
Networking in person and word of mouth.
You’re brave! I can’t stomach face to face networking, so I don’t go. I am a closet introvert in real life. Catherine
How have your family’s finances changed since becoming a VA?
I’m earning a good wage and I’m able to support my children as a single mum.
Don’t! I’ll cry. I am so proud of you. Catherine.
What has being a VA enabled you to do that you couldn’t as an employee?
I’ve not been an employee for a long time, but for me being able to work from home is a big win.
It makes weekends so much more enjoyable, doesn’t it. One reason being you’ve not lost time in the week on commuting, so some chores can get done outside of the weekend. Catherine
Describe your VA business to me
I’m here to bring out the best in your business and allow you the owner to focus on what you need, or want, to focus on. I always take time to understand and have a brain storm at our first call to get down what they are struggling with. Many of my clients actually find it hard to know what to delegate or where they need help. We work on this first. I always try and work to the 20% rule.
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 Louise has everything in place to avoid anything happening. Catherine
How is your work / life balance different now, as a full-time VA?
I am more structured and have good time management now. I have more free time so I can be free for things like reformer pilates. Most important.
Life’s priorities change when you’re a VA, don’t they? As an employee we count down to the next bank holiday, as a VA it’s ‘Oh, another bank holiday, that means I can’t go to …. reformer pilates!’. Catherine
How do you manage your work day as a Virtual Assistant?
I use toggl to track time. I have set times for set clients, I try as much as possible to stick to this. I block out 2 hours a week for my business admin as well.
Oh! That’s a great tip there – scheduling out time for admin. This is also a great thing to do for your marketing. Catherine
Anything else you’d like to add? Perhaps some words of encouragement for others?
Being a Virtual Assistant is possible, if you put in the effort. The rewards are 100% worth it.
If it was too easy, everyone would do it! I’m very proud of your success and I hope you continue to thrive. Catherine
If you still think you need to have admin / PA / EA experience to become a thriving Virtual Assistant listen to my podcast episode here.