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Finding Your Niche: Exploring the Types of Virtual Assistants to Define Your Path

You’re currently employed, and you’re exploring your options for a better, more fulfilling way to work (and live)…

Congratulations! And, you are definitely not alone.

Congratulations because while you’re still employed, you’re being strategic and very wise about positioning yourself for a more aligned and rewarding career. 

One that could potentially:

  • Replace a full-time income
  • Exponentially improve how you feel about the work you do and how you spend your time
  • Give you the flexibility and freedom to work around your life, and not vice versa
  • Provide you with unlimited potential for professional and financial growth

And, you’re in good company.

The workforce is changing, and so are you.

The majority of our members (and the ones who are the most successful!) are career changers and at some point, they were just like you.

Tired of their circumstances, fed up with just “going through the motions” every day in their careers, and mostly – ready to make a permanent change.

Cutting out the middleman of an employer by providing services (that you already know how to do) directly to businesses as a freelancer, Virtual Assistant, or independent contractor (the title really doesn’t matter!) has been on the rise dramatically.

It’s a model that’s been around for quite some time, and as the pandemic helped establish – it’s a way to work that just makes sense, both for you and for business owners (i.e. your future clients).

And, when you consider things like the 305,000 people who were laid off in the US alone in 2023, creating your own job security also… just makes sense!

But how do you go about replacing a full-time career and income while you’re still working full-time?

First, know that it’s completely achievable.

So many of our members have been in the same place as you are, employed but looking to branch out, and build some more opportunity for themselves. 

Take a look for some inspiration…

Sandy Schultz

"I spent over 20 years in the corporate world and around year 10, the thought of having my own business started to take shape. Every time I got started, life got in the way, so it was several years later that I stumbled upon this program. Once I got started, I knew I was in the right place. And now, 3 years later, I have a full roster of clients and I've replaced my full-time corporate income."

Jill Mohler

“I was working full-time for a staffing agency as an Executive Assistant for five years. Then, COVID-19 happened and my hours and pay were cut in half – that’s when I decided to go virtual. Within three months I had my first client and then landed three more clients. I continued working part-time while I was building my client base and now I’m a full-time, VA working about 35 hours per week."

Darien Hubbard

"I started building my VA business on the side while still working full-time and landed my very first client with one of the leads shared by the program. I went on to build my roster to fully booked with those leads – within 10 months of joining, I was able to hand in my resignation! Fully Booked VA takes all the guesswork out of how to build a legitimate freelance business.”

Stephanie Barnes

"This program and team helped me start and grow my own business allowing me to have more freedom and flexibility. They taught me how to set up my business, how to find clients, how to work through challenges, and how to discover business practices that best fit my personality. I've recently left my full-time Corporate America career behind and am on my way to becoming fully booked."

Getting back to you…

Here are our pointers on how to build up a service-based business while still working full-time (with the goal of leaving your 9-5 career behind – for good!):

The time has finally come! You’ve kicked off your journey as a freelancer, you’re working with one or more clients, and have been earning income with the time you have available alongside your full-time job.

This has likely meant getting creative with your time and doing things at times you normally wouldn’t – like early in the morning before work, after work, or even on weekends.

But you know what? Once you begin earning income independently and realize that you can scale your results to replace a full-time income…

You experience the opportunity firsthand and it’s very motivating.

It’s important to remind yourself that a) this is just a season in your business as you build it up and b) the end goal is absolutely worth it.

And, you’d be amazed at how resourceful you can be when you truly want something!

You’ve also sat at your desk (or in that dreaded cubicle) and daydreamed about this moment many, many times – again congratulations.

This is an incredible place to be. And, it can be a little nerve-wracking.

In this scenario, your goal is to build your freelance business up to a “tipping point” where you can make the transition from your job and feel secure about it.

Here are our top 3 pointers for getting started with freelancing while still employed:

1

Max Your Hours

In anticipation of making the big leap, it’s a good idea to maximize your hours and client load as much as possible, which could mean taking on more clients than you can handle for a bit.

This may feel a little hectic for a while, but when you know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel it’s completely doable. This is also a great way of “ramping up” to build momentum into going full-time into your business.

One helpful way to manage this strategy is by using an agency model during your transition. In this case, that would mean bringing on extra clients and hiring someone to help you manage them on a short-term basis, i.e. until you’re ready to quit.

You’d make a bit of profit from charging the client more than you pay the additional Virtual Assistant and you’ll also be getting paid at a higher rate by these new clients.

2

Save Up

One of the most strategic things you can do when preparing to quit your job to go full-time with your business is to save money from the extra income you’re making while balancing both your current career and VA/freelance client base.

A good rule of thumb is to save enough money to cover 3-6 months of your living expenses. This doesn’t mean replacing your current salary, but rather having enough funds on hand to cover your basic needs for a few months to give you an added layer of financial security while you make the transition.

Doing so will create less stress and enable you to take on the “right clients,” not just anyone willing to hire you. 

3

Work With Your Current Job

If you’re fortunate to be employed somewhere that will work with you, working things out with your current job can be a huge help in making the transition.

One way you can do this is by renegotiating your schedule and tapering your days down (i.e. from five days a week to four at first and then further as your VA/freelance income grows). 

Not only can this help you “wean” off of your job, but it could also be a big help to your employer by giving them time to find and train your replacement.

Believe it or not, your current employer could also be the source of a new client. Depending on the kind of work you do, you can pitch your soon-to-be former employer on contracting out some or all of the work you do… to you!

Some things to consider as you get started...

If you’re ready to make that leap into taking things full steam ahead, it’ll help to keep a few (more) things in mind…

Take a Financial Inventory

If you don’t know much about your household financials, you should learn.

Making a list of your assets (real estate, savings, retirement, etc.) and your liabilities (mortgage, auto or student loans, and credit card debt) is a great place to start. Next, compile all of your current incoming income sources and a detailed list of your monthly expenses.

Then ask yourself the following questions:

How will your income be changing as you make the transition to full-time self-employment?

Are there any expenses that you can temporarily cut (or cut later if necessary) to decrease your monthly overhead?

Can you pay ­off any debts prior to leaving work behind?

How much savings do you have now and how long will it last without your current salary coming in?

Once you know what your financial picture looks like, you’ll be better able to plan for the future.

And, have a bit more peace of mind!

You'll be ready before you feel ready

In our conversations with members who have made this transition, one theme we hear consistently is:

“The best thing I did was to just go for it and make the transition – even though I wasn’t 100% sure I was ready.”

There will come a time when you have enough momentum built up in your business that you realize that you can duplicate the results you’ve experienced so far and scale your business… 

If you only had more time.

While we’re certainly advising you to be prepared financially to make the leap from your current career to taking your business full-time, sometimes the best course of action is to just do it.

Creating the space in your life to go all in with your business has an amazing way of amplifying your efforts – and success. It’s a mindset shift, and when you go all in, well… you’re all in!

Projects vs. Long-Term Clients

If this is going to be your full-time career, then you want to create as much security and stability in your business as possible.

Do this by filling your roster and time with long-term clients as much as possible, versus taking on short-term or one-off projects.

It’s not uncommon to take on these types of clients when your business is newer out of a desire to just get some work going. As you move forward, though, this type of work isn’t conducive to stability and predictability when it comes to your income.

You can absolutely take on short-term/one-off projects in addition to your long-term client base, however. Just don’t try to build a sustainable income off of them – it can be far too stressful.

COmmit to your goal

This is the fun part!

Decide when you want to leave work behind and circle it on your calendar.

Next, write out your resignation to your employer and keep it somewhere visible. Now that you have your notice written up and D-­day circled on your calendar, it’s time to get to work so you can meet your goal.

This is also a powerful way to shift your mindset and get to work on creating your best, most fulfilling reality.

When you’ve reached your goal, all you have to do is gather up your notice, bring it to work with you, and hand it in. Doesn’t that sound sublime?

No matter where you’re starting from, taking your business full-time is an incredible experience, and one of those times you’ll feel like you’ve “arrived” with your decision to become a freelancer or VA!

One last thing.

Your brain is likely swimming with the possibilities right now… and possibly even telling you all of the reasons why you shouldn’t do this.

It’s okay, and totally normal – it’s your brain’s way of keeping you safe!

And while that instinct was crucial at one time to protect us from very real dangers (like being chased by saber-toothed tigers and dinosaurs), it just won’t serve you in this case. In fact, it will only keep you from taking risks and finding out what you’re truly capable of.

Making a decision to make a permanent change in your career and lifestyle is a big one – and we want it to be the right one for you.

If you’re ready for a systematic, step-by-step process for doing so, and all the support you need in navigating this next chapter of your life, we recommend enrolling in our flagship course, VA Foundations.

You already have skills you can create income with as a freelancer right now, and we’ll help you with the strategies and tactics for building a successful, scalable, consistent service-based business. 

After all…

Why not you? Why not now?

LEARN MORE

Looking for more resources?

Intrigued but still not sure? Totally get it! Here are some of our most popular guides to get you started.

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