No one wanted, or needed, another overwhelming, toxic Facebook group full of competitiveness, pitching, bitching, and snarky replies that leave you wondering whether the VA world is just as bad as the 9-5 you’re trying to escape.

Hearing about being a VA, then joining the group and reading through the community posts and tentatively asking my own questions just gave me immense confidence that I have the skills to succeed at this business and that I don’t have to sell my soul to do so – that all of us are uniquely placed to be able to offer a service to clients who we want to work with. I have been in some seriously awful and toxic FB groups – Catherine’s is anything but. There’s a genuine sense that it’s safe, that it’s supportive and you can ask anything even if it feels a bit dumb to you – and it will be answered kindly and constructively. 

Kate Macpherson
katemacva.co.uk

As you’ve just read, groups like that do exist. I’ve been in them myself, and that’s exactly what motivated me to create something different.

I wanted a space where new, aspiring, and established VAs could ask questions, share wins, learn from one another, and feel supported rather than judged.

Most importantly, I wanted people to feel safe asking questions without worrying they’ll be mocked, discussed elsewhere, or made to feel silly for not yet knowing something.

Because nobody starts a VA business knowing everything, and people learn best when they feel safe enough to ask.

Who the group is for

Being able to reassure women who are curious about becoming a Virtual Assistant is a huge thing for me.

Giving people the opportunity to break free from the restrictions of the 9-5 life – where Saturday feels like your only real day off (and that’s assuming nobody needs feeding, entertaining, taxiing around, or any other form of attention) – is a purpose I genuinely thrive on.

That’s why the group has become so popular with:

• Aspiring Virtual Assistants
• Newly established Virtual Assistants
• Early-stage VAs
• Accidental Virtual Assistants who have found themselves doing VA work without realising there’s a name for it
• More established VAs who enjoy sharing job opportunities, supporting others, or simply sense-checking things every now and again

The group is primarily UK-focused, but my fellow humans from Ireland and the rest of Europe are just as welcome.

Having been a Virtual Assistant myself since late 2015, you’ll receive practical advice based on real experience, not theory. If I recommend something, it’s because I’ve done it, tested it, or seen it work repeatedly for the VAs I’ve trained over the years.

No fluff. No pretending business is easier than it is.

Just honest advice, practical support, and a community that wants to see you succeed.

Why “No Question is Silly” Matters

Ugh. I know. It’s one of those clichés everyone says, isn’t it? But honestly, I don’t know how else to put it.

Most of us have had that moment where we’re hovering over the “Post” button thinking:

“Is this a daft question?”
“Am I about to look like a complete idiot?”
“Is someone going to screenshot this and stick it on Threads for strangers to roll their eyes at?”

The answer is no.

For a start, screenshots from the group aren’t allowed. It’s one of the rules I take incredibly seriously because people need to feel safe participating here. In the last few years, I can only recall it being broken once, and that person was removed from the group immediately.

More importantly, there genuinely is no such thing as a silly question.

If you’re wondering something, I can almost guarantee somebody else is wondering exactly the same thing. And if they’re not today, they will be at some point in the future.

Your question is a god damn inspiration!

By asking a question, you’re not just helping yourself. You’re helping hundreds, sometimes thousands, of other people who are reading along quietly and learning from the answers.

So if anything, you’re doing everyone a favour.

Nobody is born knowing how to be a Virtual Assistant.

Nobody starts their business knowing what software to use, how to find clients, how to price their services, or what on earth a discovery call is.

We all start somewhere.

So if you’ve got a question, ask it.

You’ll never be judged for not knowing something. You’ll be supported for wanting to learn.

I never want anyone to log into Facebook and dread seeing a notification from a group they’ve joined.

Why the group feels different

The easiest way to explain why the group feels different is to let the members tell you themselves.

They talk about community, support, honesty, encouragement.

Having somewhere to ask questions. Feeling less alone. Seeing what’s possible.

And having people around you who genuinely want you to succeed.

Job opportunities coming out of our ears

I’ve just noticed that ‘ears’ is an anagram of ‘arse’.

Imagine a place you could get clients without having to do any marketing. I genuinely can’t think of many industries where that happens, but it happens in my Facebook group every single week.

We often average around 5-6 job opportunities a day.

A day. Not a month. Not a week. A day.

Most of these opportunities come from established VAs (Lead VAs) who have more work than they can handle themselves and are looking to subcontract, collaborate, or pass work on to you and you become an Associate VA.

Associate roles are, more often than not, for VAs who already have their own clients and have been in business for around 6-12 months. You can find out more about why that is and how to get associate jobs in my blog here.

But don’t panic … there are often opportunities suitable for newer VAs too.

But the biggest benefit isn’t actually the job opportunities.

The biggest benefit is that the group is packed with real-world advice, support, encouragement, and guidance to help you secure your first client in the first place.

Because getting access to job opportunities is brilliant.

Knowing what to do when you find one is even better.

So whether you’re still wondering if becoming a VA is right for you, setting up your business, looking for your first client, or growing an established VA business, you’ll get support from me and my team, and others who have been where you are and genuinely want to help.

Then, once you’re up and running, you can join the rest of us enjoying the frankly ridiculous number of job opportunities that appear in the group every week.

Why the group has rules

A group of this caliber does not happen accidentally. It requires moderation, boundaries, and consistency, so I do have some rules. They’re not there to stop people enjoying themselves, Christ if I don’t have a laugh at least fifteen times a day there’s something wrong, they exist to protect the environment thousands of people joined for in the first place.

Self-promotion

Wait, what? I can’t promote myself in a VA group? Why?

Because…

• It’s a group full of VAs. VAs aren’t your target audience as a VA, small business owners are. So pitching yourself to other VAs is an utter waste of your time.
• No one wants to be part of a group that is one ongoing advert of the same thing. They’re there for support, to learn, to have fun.
• If posts are full of self-promotional comments people will stop asking questions and no one will learn.
• It’s also incredibly unethical to try and monetise from someone else’s audience without invitation.

Moderation

No screenshots? Why can’t I share stuff, from the group, elsewhere?

I never want members worrying that asking a question in a private group could result in it being made public elsewhere.

So many people take the path to become a Virtual Assistant for reasons others may not realise.

It’s not always because life is so hectic these days that we no longer want work to be all we do during the best years of our lives, or about wanting more time with family, or to escape a toxic 9-5, a huge number of women who take this path are enduring chronic health issues, have escaped domestic abuse and are rebuilding their lives, they’re leaving lives and / or jobs, learning to manage chronic health conditions that have changed their lives so much that the strength it’s taken for them to even join the group is enormous.

I will not tolerate or allow any form of online bullying. I’ve experienced it myself to the point I got the police involved, so I know how it feels. I have been part of groups where it was acceptable for people to defame you, call you names, and ridicule your input. It’s not happening on my watch and this, I believe, is one of the biggest reasons my group remains so popular and such a huge part of women’s success in their journey to become a Virtual Assistant.

If anyone even tries to do it, they’re out, forever.

I never want members worrying that their question may end up discussed elsewhere.

DM’ing other members

Dm’ing others without invite is a ‘rule’ that is in place to protect every member, especially those who I mentioned above who are re-starting their lives. They do not want unsolicited DMs as it can stoke up all sorts of fear. You never know someone’s circumstances and DM’ing someone who hasn’t invited you to isn’t ever going to bring a positive if there’s a chance of a negative emotion.

People don’t appreciate it on the whole, so we’ve made it a rule that there are no DMs.

Also, we sometimes have the odd person comment on a post saying ‘I’ll DM you‘, No you won’t, sunshine, you’ll share your brilliant advice in the group so that everyone can benefit. It can stem from feeling worried people will mock their advice, but that’s never something we allow, or do, in the group.

I absolutely love the ferocity of Catherine and The Rockers moderation; making sure that we are not preyed on or taken advantage of. So a huge thanks!

Kate Macpherson
katemacva.co.uk

Promoting other VA Trainers / Mentors / Courses

I’ve spent years building my audience, building trust, creating free content and making this group what it is.

So promoting other VA trainers, mentors, courses, etc isn’t allowed.

The rule isn’t about ego or competition. I have a good relationship with many other VA trainers. It’s about protecting the trust, clarity and supportive atmosphere people joined the group for.

Anonymous posting

We do allow it sometimes, but if it really doesn’t need to be anonymous then we will decline it, with feedback. I know some do it because they’re nervous, but as I keep saying, me and the Rockers keep the place safe. You’re not going to get kicked out for asking a question, if anyone says anything unnecessary on your post then they’ll get kicked out.

Anonymous posting seems to be more contagious than yawning too. Once we allow one we’re inundated with them. But, sadly, they tend to not get as many comments as those that aren’t anonymous because people prefer interacting with real people.

What Happens If Someone Breaks The Rules?

Then we take them, by mini bus, to the nearest hill and roll them down it. Or, sometimes, we’ll have a quiet word via DM or email. Many people simply haven’t realised they’ve crossed a boundary and that’s the end of it.

If someone risks the safety, trust, or atmosphere of the group, we won’t hesitate to remove people permanently

The thousands of members who follow the rules deserve to enjoy the group they’ve helped create.

We have some fabulous grasses in the group too! (insert evil laugh)

A supportive Facebook group doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people respect the boundaries that make it supportive in the first place.

What you WILL find in the group

You’ll find job opportunities, practical advice, encouragement, honesty, experienced insight, a ridiculous amount of support, and at least a few laughs a day.

Everyone starts somewhere, and for many VAs, this group is where that journey begins.

So if you’re curious about becoming a Virtual Assistant, looking for support as you grow your business, or simply want to surround yourself with people who get it, come and join us.

We’d love to have you.

Join the Facebook group here → https://www.facebook.com/groups/catherinegladwyn