11 Months Update: Virtual Assistant Journey

There are three things in my life that I can honestly say have been a part of me since before the pre-teen years: One is the love for dancing, the other is passion for writing just about anything and the third is helping others.

I’m a little late with this post but that’s ok, y’all forgive me. LOL. Today I want to shed light on my journey this far with being a virtual assistant officially. But before getting into that, I need to share with you how I’ve even gotten to this point. 

The Story Timeline

June 2014, I graduated from High School unsure about my future other than knowing I wanted to be a teacher of some sort. I took the next 2 months off from any type of school or future thoughts.

September 2014, I started my college education at the local community college with excitement but still unsure of what I’d be getting myself into. I found myself indulging online more and more each day. Trying to find new ways to make an income online because my $9/hour retail job just was not cutting it for me.

I was really good in English classes even in high school. so, after my first semester getting a 97 in my English course (which was my only credit class that semester filled with sophomores and juniors) I decided to help out others in non-credit classes. I offered services like proofreading, editing and giving guidance in how to find their voice for each project at hand. I then found out about freelance writing websites like fiverr and Upwork which I used to my advantage. Facebook groups were also a huge part of my side gig but for the most part, I’d help students in my school based on referrals. I wouldn’t even charge a lot because we were all college students, I knew the struggle.

Using freelancing sites I came to find out about data entry, revision work and other sources of skills I already had based on previous projects I’d do for the ‘fun’ of computer and writing LOL (i did say i had a passion for writing didn’t i).

That same school year, I decided to use Pinterest a whole lot more and came to realize that what i was doing really was Virtual Assisting and it was what I wanted to do ever since I started helping within freelance gigs. The crazy part is, I never realized at the time that I could make a livable pay doing what I was already doing in college.

I look back now wishing I had pursued it and really stuck with it long term. Things could have been looking different for me right now with that said though, I also know that everything happens for a reason. Young Brianna knew nothing about assistance positions… pretty oblivious since I only worked in retail clothing stores. This is why I love the internet and apps like Pinterest, they have changed my life.

So, I knew about virtual assistance because of Pinterest. It was brought up by other bloggers who I still continue to support and look up to as my inspiration for success. I didn’t know how to go about becoming one without having success first. I bounced from MLM’s to a new business venture and blogging on the side. This was my strategy but I didn’t see success in it because I was focused on 3+ things at once and never focusing on just one. Now being in the position that I am in and looking back, I see why . . I was MEANT to do virtual assistance. Now that I’m doing it and focused on it (plus blogging) nothing can distract me from getting content out or getting client work done.

Side note: I have to mention, I have not made even $1 from blogging. Blogging has been a journey for me out of love and passion for writing as well as sharing information that will help others. I knew eventually I’d get the hang of it and become a lifestyle blogger making $2-5k a month. Am i there yet? No. Do I still have hope that it’ll eventually happen? Absolutely. 

The Idea/Brainstorming

Let’s fast forward now to December 2021. I decided to shut down my previous boutique business. At the time I had shut down to start over with a new business idea and venture. I was planning to open up a new boutique specifically for Jewelry and other accessories… however I was coming across questions about entrepreneurship online almost daily.

I’d help others as if I was a business coach, mentor or some sort of consultant. My mother and friend/coworker would tell me that I’d be great at consulting other business owners. Assisting them with setting up their Shopify website, creating their product listing, switching from one platform to another, drop shipping information, social media marketing tips and so much more. Every week there were different questions but rarely a week would go by where I didn’t help three people within Facebook business groups.

One day I wrote down all of my skills and potential services I could offer and decided to make a post on Facebook. I was honest in the post letting them all know I’d be doing this for portfolio reasons and needed honest reviews. I had many comments, but no one wanted to hire me to do their work for free and I’m truly glad that is who I surrounded myself with on online platforms. They knew and understood time is money.

The Official Start

Now we fast forward to February 1st, 2022, and I had decided to announce Anjelique Connections, my new virtual assistance business. I didn’t fully comprehend what I’d be doing but I’m glad I decided to just LEAP and announce everything. I was able to make new connections with about 5 other virtual assistants. They also helped me get into Facebook groups specific for VA’s to find their new clients or some passion projects.

Before the end of the 1st month, I had my first client, Allura P, a Travel agent. She hired me for a revision project which was a one-off project (as i like to call it) instead of permanent work. I am actually still in contact with Allura till this day and she is one of the best human beings I have ever connected with. She not only checks in on my business and refers me to others, but she also checks in on my personal life as well.

Month 2

The beginning of March I had created a presentation portfolio using the best of the best tools available; Canva. Being that I didn’t have the funds to create a website using platforms like Wix or Shopify (also unsure which platform I wanted to use) I went with this option. Paying $12.99/month already for Canva pro and all of its features, I had to take advantage!

I created that portfolio in under a week (the fasted i’ve worked on something and completed it). I used a template but deleted majority of its content and formatting so that I can create it to my own liking. Which I find to be the greatest part about Canva. I am creative but only when inspired or else it’s just a bunch of scribbles and words floating everywhere in this brain LOL.

Mid-March, I reached out to a local content creator and influencer that I had been a huge fan of for 1.5-2 years. I remembered that in summer of 2021 she had been very open about her overwhelming feelings with balancing mom life, work and influencer work. I had briefly mentioned to her that I’d eventually start a VA business and she actually responded to every message i’d sent to her… her response to that message was; i’m ready when you are! So when reaching out to her again officially letting her know about me starting a business, she was very excited and gave me her work phone number.

We began texting about LIFE and thoughts about certain topics that she’s spoken about on her social media… which then led to her loving my mindset and wanting to work with me ASAP. She literally said, “I’m convinced, let’s get work done” The following day of that conversation, we got on the phone, and I pitched to her how all of it would work and the cost.

What we had originally agreed on for contract purposes has since been changed but I am 100% grateful for her taking the leap and trusting in me as well. She had never hired someone before to help her and we are still working together till this day.

Between months 4-6th

Between the months of June and August, I had grown interest in working with Influencers.

When coming into this business I had set intentions to work with women owned businesses but didn’t think about influencers being the main focus until these months. My client had gone out of the country for a month and during that time i had taken a lot of the responsibilities. Not because she asked but because I knew she deserved to enjoy her time with her family. She also didn’t have the best of service so of course I stepped in.

During that time, I completely fell in love with working on Influencer campaigns. I learned the lingo; I learned so much about the influencer industry and I wasn’t oblivious to it I knew basics before working with her but I craved more of it daily like my coffee addiction.

I’ve opened up opportunities to potentially work with other influencers by becoming an Admin in a facebook group specific for all influencers in their journey. I have opened up conversations with other influencers who tune into my clients lives on TikTok or Instagram. My client has even became a friend of mine now and we have a healthy balance of work and friendship; which I absolutely love.

I will be asking my client to do an interview one of these days with me so that she can provide insight as an influencer and mom of 3 beautiful babies as well as personally working with me.

Between months 7th – 11th

These months have been more personal for me. I’ve taken online free courses and 2 hour short webinar classes to gain more knowledge in SEO, marketing and overall influencer related topics. I did manage to help one new client for a one off project which took less than 24 hours to complete even though she provided me a two week lead time. I live for clients who are very understanding of just overall being humans with life’s. Its basic things like this that make someone like myself feel seen.

I’ve been making decisions on website platforms and decided to utilize this blog as my partial website. I’ll be blogging about virtual assistance more often but not the entirety of my posts. I may branch out and utilize another platform (other than using Canva) for my portfolio purposes however doing what I have now is working and I always say, don’t change what already works.

I’ve also been making phone calls and sending out emails to establish my business officially. Since we are approaching 1 full year in the business and I am 100% NOT tired or bored of this, I am ready to establish and take my business further.

Although I don’t have a lot to share during these months, I’ve been going through a lot of personal family situations that have given me an eye opener. I wasn’t able to pour too much time and had to step back, thankfully my client was very understanding. The last two months have given me some time to really plan out what I want to do with my business moving forward and focus on establishing it.

The Finale

I have truly enjoyed this journey so far. I can’t believe how a year has really flown right on by and the amount of things i’ve accomplished since then is amazing to me. Those that do not know, I have been diagnosed with ADD at a very young age and stopped medicating at the age of 17 by my own choice. I’ve got a journey in itself with that but let’s just say I forgot I even had it for some time and the last three years have been eye opening learning how to cope and manage it.

Especially as a entrepreneur with many ideas and wishes to pursue. Getting all of this accomplished in 11 months is beyond an accomplishment for me.

I do want to open the books for future clients in e-commerce as well as Influencer industry all the while working my blog and slightly becoming an influencer myself. I mean why not?!

I’m truly excited to see what the next 6 months have in store for me and my business ventures. I want to try and document on paper (or digital screens) what i’ve accomplished in the next few months… this way I can really report back to you all. In case you ever decide to be a VA yourselves.

Anyway, hope you’ve enjoyed a little background story and inside scoop to what i’ve accomplished so far. Stay tuned for all the content coming for the next few weeks. Its love month after all !!!

Until next time.