How to set up your VA business while working for someone else
So you’ve decided that a career as a VA is right for you. But, let me guess, you aren’t quite ready to make the leap?
You’re far from alone! Many successful virtual assistants started their businesses while still working for someone else, it’s increasingly common.
Let’s be honest, using your current employer to fund your initial foray into the world of virtual assistance is a genius idea. You get the stability and reassurance of a regular income to support you during those first few months. You can use that financial cushion to fund things while you get your pricing right, create a web page, do a course and so on.
But as with everything, you need to tread a careful balance. Here’s how I’d recommend you do this:
Cultivate the right mindset
Setting up your own VA business is exciting. This means it can be way too easy to spend every spare moment daydreaming about your new career.
This can create two problems:
You become distracted and stop doing a good job in your current role.
You become resentful. That might be because you’re busy making money for someone else, your colleagues might be petty and small-minded or your clients could be awful.
Although this is relatable, it’s not a good look! It’s way too easy to give off negative vibes to your current employer. And heck, who wants to be known as the person who checked out of their job 6 months before they actually left?
Instead, treat this time as an opportunity. Be grateful that your current role is funding your future and do your best to build a great relationship with your employer, boss and colleagues. These people may be prepared to recommend you to future clients or give you testimonials you can use to demonstrate your abilities. Who knows, they may become a client themselves one day!
Use your time wisely
Doing more than one job can be exhausting! When I first set up, I was working for the family business, selling pianos. Although this meant I didn’t need to tiptoe around my boss (i.e. my dad), it was still a struggle trying to fit everything in. I distinctly remember feeling that I never had any time to myself.
Part of this is a mindset thing again - you almost have to accept that your work-life balance will be terrible for a while as you juggle everything. But keep your eyes on the prize and remember that phase this will pass.
I do however have a few suggestions to make things easier:
Be sensible and don’t overdo it. It can be easy to pour every spare minute into your new business, but this can leave you feeling burnt out before you’ve even begun. Set aside just one or two sessions a week to work on your business. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint!
Use travel time or lunch breaks as handy pockets of time. Even 20 minutes a day will help you move in the right direction if you use it wisely.
If you have enough holiday allowance, consider booking half days or full days off here and there so you can focus on your new business without feeling as if you’re compromising on other things in your life.
Start establishing a professional reputation
If your current employer knows about your plans and is supportive, update your LinkedIn page to reflect your new role. If you don’t have a particularly supportive employer, or if your career change is still under wraps, keep your LinkedIn profile as it is for now. Instead, investigate the many LinkedIn groups which are set up specifically for newly self-employed people and VAs. They’re full of supportive advice and a great way to build your network.
The other way to establish yourself is to sign up to freelance work platforms such as People Per Hour. I know this isn’t a popular opinion, but I have found these platforms to be incredible for helping you build your confidence, find your first few clients and establish a reputation.
Realistically, you won’t make a lot of money from them, but as you’re still working for someone else, you can probably afford to take the financial hit for a while. Use these platforms as a way of cutting your teeth in the world of virtual assistance, and build up a pre-existing client base who are prepared to give you testimonials.
Finally… be tax-savvy
It’s really easy to forget to register with HMRC. However, if you’re earning any money from self-employment you have to do this.
You can be self-employed and employed by someone else - although do check with your employment contract to be sure this is the case with your employer. Registering as self-employed is very easy - start out as a sole trader for now. You can always change this in the future.
It’s also good practice to make a record of how much money you’ve earned. This way, your tax returns will be easier to handle when the time comes.
What’s next?
With all this in place, you’ll be in a far better position when you’re ready to make the leap into life as a full-time VA!
Keen to learn more about the move from employee to VA? Visit the Timpi Academy.
