How I Became a Virtual Assistant: My Journey from Burnout to Side Hustle
In 2022, I became a mom to my incredible daughter, Rae. Motherhood is life-changing in ways you can never fully anticipate, and while I was absolutely in love with my little girl, I found myself struggling with something I hadn’t expected—burnout.
I had spent years building my career as an athletic trainer, pouring my time, energy, and passion into my work. But after having Rae, the demands of my job began to feel overwhelming. I needed an outlet, something flexible, something that allowed me to use my skills in a new way. That’s where virtual assistance (VA) came in.
The Spark That Started It All
Funny enough, my journey into the VA world started years before I ever considered it as a side hustle. In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Taiwan, where I met Kate Scholtes. We kept in touch over the years through social media, and I watched her build a successful VA business, Your Behind the Scenes BFF. Seeing her work and the freedom it gave her made an impression, but at the time, I didn’t think much about how it could apply to me.
Fast forward to 2022: I was in the thick of balancing motherhood and a demanding job, desperately needing something to give me a sense of control and creativity outside of my full-time role as an athletic trainer. That’s when I revisited Kate’s journey and realized this was something I could do, too.
Taking the Leap: My First Steps into VA Work
After reaching out to Kate, I decided to take her VA course. I had a strong background in administration, organization, and communication from my work in athletic training, but I wanted to ensure I understood how to translate those skills into the business world. Kate’s course walked me through everything from setting up my business to marketing my services and working with clients.
As I went through the course, I started seeing just how many skills I already had that were perfect for virtual assistance: email management, scheduling, client communication, and problem-solving, just to name a few. I wasn’t starting from scratch; I was simply shifting how I applied my expertise.
Balancing My Career and My VA Side Hustle
At first, VA work was just a small experiment, something I did in the evenings or during Rae’s nap times. But the more I worked with clients, the more I realized how much I enjoyed it. However, my full-time role as an athletic trainer remains my priority. VA work is a fulfilling side hustle that allows me to use my skills differently while still maintaining my primary career.
One of the biggest benefits was the flexibility. Unlike my full-time job, where my schedule is largely dictated by others, VA work allows me to take on projects that align with my strengths and availability. I can be present for Rae while still growing something of my own.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout this journey, it’s that starting something new can be intimidating, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Here are a few key takeaways from my experience:
- Your skills are more transferable than you think. I never imagined that my background in athletic training would set me up for success in virtual assistance, but the administrative, organizational, and problem-solving skills I had developed translated perfectly.
- Community matters. Staying connected with Kate and learning from her experience made all the difference. Surrounding yourself with people who support and inspire you is key when stepping into something new.
- Flexibility is powerful. The ability to create my own schedule and take on work that aligns with my strengths has been life-changing. It’s given me the freedom to prioritize my family without sacrificing my professional ambitions.
- Burnout is real, and it’s okay to pivot. I love my full-time job, but I needed something more sustainable for my mental and emotional well-being. Virtual assistance gave me a way to do meaningful work while also prioritizing myself and my family.
Where I Am Today
What started as a small experiment has grown into a side hustle that I truly enjoy. I’ve been able to help business owners streamline their operations, tackle their to-do lists, and focus on what they do best. More importantly, I’ve created a balance that allows me to be both a dedicated mom and a professional in my field.
If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just looking for a new way to use your skills, know that there are opportunities out there. Sometimes, the best career moves come from the most unexpected places, like reconnecting with an old friend on social media and realizing that their journey could be your journey, too.
For anyone curious about virtual assistance, I can’t recommend Kate’s course enough. It was the perfect launchpad for me, and I know it could be for you, too.
Here’s to finding balance, embracing new opportunities, and building a life that works for you!