The realities and rewards of starting your virtual executive assistant business
Starting your own virtual executive assistant (EA) business is a fantastic idea, but let’s be real, it's not an easy path. It’s not something you can casually do around the kids or as a side hustle. This is a serious business for someone with your experience as a full-time EA in an office, looking to step into the driver's seat and take control of your career.
You already know what it takes to support high-level executives, manage multiple tasks, and keep things moving seamlessly behind the scenes. Now, it’s about transitioning all that expertise into something that's 100% yours.
But let’s be clear, it’s still hard work. If you're imagining a life where you can cut down on your hours or work on your own time, think again. In many ways, you may be working even harder than you do now because it's your business. You’re building something from the ground up, which takes time, energy, and a relentless commitment. There’s no clocking out at 5 PM when you're an entrepreneur. You might even find yourself working longer hours to make sure everything runs smoothly because the stakes are higher, it’s your business, your clients, and your reputation.
That said, here's the good news, it's worth it. You’re no longer working to build someone else's company or help someone else succeed. This is your opportunity to craft the career you want, to work with clients you choose, and to grow in ways that fulfil you both professionally and personally. Yes, the hours can be long, but the fulfilment is so much deeper when it’s your name on the door, your business growing because of your hard work.
If you’re ready to step up, you can do this. You already have the skill set and the work ethic. The challenge will be transferring that into a self-directed business, building client relationships from scratch, managing every part of the operation, and staying motivated even when things get tough. But if you're willing to put in the effort, this could be the most rewarding career move you’ll ever make.
You’ll be working hard, but you’ll be doing it for you. That’s what makes all the difference.