How I stumbled upon becoming a virtual assistant
Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, and sometimes it pushes us in directions we never imagined. When my son Cruz, was born with a cleft lip and palate, I found myself in a world of hospital visits, surgeries, and therapy sessions. He had his first surgery at just 20 days old, while I was deep in the trenches of postpartum. He had another surgery at 11 months, and later needed another surgery for an ear tube replacement. Alongside that, he needed Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy. Constant medical appointments left me no choice but to become a stay at home mom.
Being a stay at home mom wasn’t my first choice, it was truly a necessity. Two years later I knew I wanted to help provide for my family while still being present for him and for my other babies. On top of caring for Cruz, I’m a mom of four and I homeschool two of my boys, so finding a balance has always been part of my daily life.
During a homeschool play date a friend mentioned that because of my office management background I could help perhaps help healthcare providers with administrative tasks remotely. For the first time I saw an opportunity, it’s kind of crazy how an idea can suddenly overtake your brain and then become the beginning of a business journey. A couple of weeks later while scrolling late at night I saw a thread from a virtual assistant coach on Threads. Instantly I decided to take the leap and sign up for the coaching. I messaged her, signed up, and with Lillian’s guidance, I got my business set up. Lillian showed me the remote virtual assistan world. She taught me to file for an EIN, set up a bank account, create a contract, and everything. I already had a background in office management I just needed the right guidance to get started. I’m so grateful for my VA coach she will forever be my favorite Threads connection.
Working from home has been a gift, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. I have to be self motivated, disciplined, and organized. Some days are really hard, there’s no boss reminding me to stay on track, but the freedom it gives me to care for my family is priceless. My toddlers are now my coworkers, my dining table my office, and my kitchen is now my lunch room.
Looking ahead, I dream of expanding my business and hiring other moms, just like me. Moms who need flexibility to be present for their babies, homeschool, or manage their own families while still contributing meaningfully to clients’ businesses.
Now, every client I serve is more than just work, they’re a part of my journey, and supporting them allows me to support my family. Becoming a virtual assistant wasn’t just a career choice, it was a way to create something that didn’t exist, embrace responsibility, and create a life that works for me and my family.
Digital Art of Cruz as a newborn- drawn by my oldest daughter Jenny