Whether you’re thinking of becoming a VA, are just getting started, or are knee-deep in comparing yourself to everyone else on Instagram, here’s what I wish I knew before becoming a virtual assistant.
When I started out as a virtual assistant, I thought I had to have it all figured out: my niche, my rates, my systems, my boundaries, my brand voice, my colour palette — the lot.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
And I’ve learned that you don’t have to, either.
1. You don’t need to niche immediately
You’ll hear a lot about how important it is to niche down — and yes, that’s useful eventually. But in the beginning? It’s okay to try different things.
It’s okay to take on a variety of tasks and clients to find out what you actually like doing. You might think you want to be a social media VA and realise you love invoicing and inbox management. (Hi, it’s me.)
Your niche will often emerge naturally — let it.
2. You are allowed to set boundaries from day one
I used to think I had to say yes to everything. Quick deadlines, weekend work, rushed turnaround times — I thought being helpful meant being always-available.
It doesn’t.
Boundaries aren’t a perk you earn after five years. They’re a practice that makes your business sustainable. You can set your availability, your turnaround times, and your communication preferences now. And you’ll be a better VA for it.
3. It’s normal to feel like you’re winging it
Spoiler: most people are.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not ready — it means you care. And while it doesn’t feel fun, it is normal.
You can still offer value while figuring things out. Your kindness, attention to detail, and willingness to learn go further than you think.
4. You don’t need to be available all day every day
Being a VA doesn’t mean you have to be glued to your inbox from 9–5. You’re not an on-call assistant. You’re a business owner.
Your time is valuable. You’re allowed to have client communication hours, to log off early, to not reply instantly. That doesn’t make you unprofessional — it makes you a human with a life.
5. You don’t need fancy systems to get started
I started with Google Sheets, Gmail, and a notebook. You don’t need to invest in a hundred tools or perfect automation. You just need to keep things organised, clear, and professional.
As you grow, you can build more structure. But right now? Simple is good.
6. Your business can grow at your pace
You don’t have to scale in six months or hit 5k months or hire a team. You get to build something that fits your life, your energy, and your version of success.
For me, that looks like working with people-focused businesses I genuinely care about, doing work that makes their lives easier — and setting up my days in a way that supports my mental health.
That might not look impressive on paper. But it feels like peace.
To anyone just starting out…
You’re not behind. You don’t have to hustle. And you absolutely do have something valuable to offer — even if you’re learning as you go.
Start where you are. Keep it simple. And don’t be afraid to build a business that feels like yours, not just what everyone else is doing.
If you’re looking for real talk and gentle guidance as you grow, I’ll be posting more about my own experience here on the blog — and you can always come find me over on Instagram at @izzyvirtualassistant.
So there you have it! That’s what I wish I knew before becoming a virtual assistant.
— Izzy
Written in partnership with ChatGPT
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