Today I’m pleased to share a guest post from Dominique Déraiche, the founder of Mommy VA Blog. Dominique left her traditional job to build a flexible work-from-home life while raising a young child. In this article she explains how she became a virtual assistant starting with no experience and a six-month-old in her arms. If you’ve ever wondered what a virtual assistant does or how to become one, Dominique’s story and practical steps will help you get started.
My path to becoming a Virtual Assistant took many unexpected turns and included more than a few dead ends.
When I first decided I wanted to work from home and build an online business, I didn’t know what a Virtual Assistant was, what skills it required, or how to get started.
The one thing I knew for certain was that I didn’t want to put my baby in daycare and I needed flexibility to work from home.
Before this transition I worked for the federal government in an Employment Insurance call centre. That experience taught me to be proactive, communicate clearly, and listen attentively—often what people don’t say is just as important as what they do say.
I loved helping people and the daily challenge of speaking with clients across the country, but the job was emotionally intense and required being “on” all the time. Even on a bad day you had to meet performance targets and keep going. That kind of constant pressure pushed me to consider a different way of working.
I always knew I would eventually leave the government for a work-from-home role, but I had no clear plan. I launched into the transition with determination and a lot of trial and error. Looking back, I would do many things differently—and I hope sharing my experience saves you time and frustration.
So, without a detailed business plan, I quit my job intent on making it work. With a six-month-old on my hip, I started exploring multiple paths, learning along the way and eventually discovering virtual assistance. Below are practical tips to help you fast-track your own journey if you decide to leave a 9-to-5 and become a Virtual Assistant.
How I Got Started as a Virtual Assistant
About six months before my baby was due, I began brainstorming ways to earn income from home.
At the time I lived on a small homestead—four acres with three horses, chickens, and large gardens. I loved being outdoors, and I noticed more people were interested in homesteading and returning to simpler, hands-on skills.
I come from a family that encouraged creativity—my grandmother and mother taught me knitting and sewing—so I naturally gravitated toward learning practical skills like canning. That led to my first entrepreneurial attempt: a YouTube channel called “Canning The Garden.”
I invested a year into that channel, but the demands of consistent video production and seasonal content challenges made it hard to sustain. As expenses rose and savings dwindled, I realized I needed a faster path to steady income.
Following a friend’s advice, I hired a business coach. After reviewing her program and attending weekly coaching calls, I began building an online course around homesteading and canning with the hope of creating a membership-based business. But when it came time to set pricing, the numbers made the project feel unrealistic for supporting my family.
My coach reached out and suggested a different option: have you considered becoming a Virtual Assistant? I had no idea what that job entailed, but she offered me a role managing email and social media for her at $1,000 per month. I took the position, attended her coaching sessions to take notes and pitch guest podcast opportunities, and learned quickly—likely working far more hours than the pay warranted, but gaining invaluable experience.
That first client launched my career. Five years later I’m still learning and evolving; I’m now branching into Pinterest management with plans to work with bloggers. The landscape of online work changes constantly, and the flexibility to pivot and reinvent yourself is one of its greatest benefits.
Actionable Step-by-Step Plan for Becoming a Virtual Assistant
If I could start over as a Virtual Assistant today, I’d take a more strategic approach from the beginning. Experience teaches important lessons; here are the top five practical steps I recommend to anyone starting a VA business.
1. Go All In
Quitting a stable job isn’t possible or advisable for everyone, but when I committed to working from home, I did it fully. Commitment helps you follow through; many people try something new but abandon it too soon. Decide, commit, and give your plan time to unfold.
I like creating a visual representation of my goals—a vision board made in Canva that I save to my desktop and view every morning. This simple habit keeps my priorities aligned and motivates daily action.
2. Determine Your Current Skills
One of my biggest mistakes was not recognizing that my government experience contained valuable, transferable skills. Administrative, communication, and customer service skills translate directly to virtual assistant tasks.
Spend 20 minutes writing down every skill you’ve gained from past jobs. Then review the list objectively and identify which skills could form the basis of services you offer as a VA.
3. Network
Online communities—especially Facebook groups—are excellent places to find potential clients. Set aside time daily to participate in groups where your target audience gathers: ask questions, offer helpful advice, and build relationships. Consistent value attracts clients.
Make it a goal to leave at least 10 meaningful comments each day in relevant communities. Be mindful of group rules about self-promotion and approach your interactions with tact and authenticity.
4. Build a Portfolio
A portfolio showcases the services you offer, the tools you use, pricing, testimonials, and contact details—think of it as a focused resume for your VA business. Early on, offer a few discounted or free projects in exchange for testimonials to build credibility without investing heavily in a website or software.
Many VAs attract clients with a simple portfolio alone. Use free Canva templates to create a clean, professional presentation, or purchase a polished template if you want a more cohesive look.
5. Raise Your Prices
It’s common to undervalue yourself when you’re starting. As your experience grows, raise your rates to reflect the real value you provide—time savings, reduced hiring costs, and business support for your clients.
When increasing prices, consider competitor rates, your expenses and profit goals, the time required for tasks, demand for your services, your experience level, and the budget of your ideal client.
- Compare competitor pricing for similar services
- Factor in your expenses and desired profit margin
- Estimate the time needed for typical tasks
- Assess demand for your services
- Account for your experience and expertise
- Consider your ideal client’s budget
- Align pricing with your business goals
Tidbits of Encouragement for Your Virtual Assistant Journey
If you dream of working from home—to be present with your children or escape the daily commute—know that it’s possible. I built my business with a six-month-old, working early mornings, during naps, and in evenings. If I could do it, so can you.
Try not to worry excessively about every step. Enjoy the time with your family while planning thoughtfully for your business. You won’t have all the answers at first, but with grit, patience, and community support, you’ll find guidance and solutions from others who’ve traveled the same path.
Where do you go from here?
You can follow the steps above at your own pace, but there is great value in joining a community of like-minded people. Mentors and peers can provide encouragement, feedback, and connections. My coach not only guided me but also became my first client.
I’m not suggesting you buy expensive courses—there are many free and low-cost resources—but do seek supportive networks that help you brainstorm ideas and stay accountable. I’ve formed lasting friendships and professional relationships online that helped me grow when I was starting out.
Freelancing as an independent contractor is a rewarding career choice. With effort and determination you can build a flexible, sustainable business—and I look forward to welcoming more people into this community.
Are you interested in becoming a virtual assistant?
Author bio: Dominique Déraiche is a writer and blogger dedicated to helping moms create flexible online businesses. She shares practical guidance on becoming a virtual assistant, improving productivity, and generating income online at Mommy VA Blog. When she’s not writing, Dominique spends time with family, experiments with new business ideas, or takes walks with her dog, Toby.
Recommended reading:
- 16 Best Jobs for Pregnant Women
- 21 Best Side Hustles for Moms
- 17 Jobs Where You Can Bring Your Child To Work