I’m asked quite often how someone can be a work-from-home mom. I think they see my flexibility and want the same. Sure, it’s very appealing to think about no more commuting, saving time not having to do the hair and makeup for work, not wasting time with busy work, etc. But working from home is not an easy journey. Sure, there are tons of perks, but it comes with extra responsibility. Rather than tell you how to get started, I want to address this question, Is working from home for you?
Working from home as a virtual assistant can be an excellent option for many moms, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. Before you decide to become a virtual assistant, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons and determine if it’s the right fit for you. Keep reading if you want to be a work-from-home mom!
Here are a few factors to consider when deciding if you should work from home as a virtual assistant.
Your Work Style
First and foremost, it’s important to consider your work style. Do you thrive in a traditional office environment or prefer to work independently and set your own schedule? Working from home as a virtual assistant requires self-discipline and staying motivated without supervision. If you enjoy working independently and can stay focused without a traditional office structure, then working from home as a virtual assistant may be a good fit for you. This means you have to be good at time management and competing priorities. The biggest complaint I hear from clients is that virtual assistants take on too much and don’t complete this on time, and it’s usually because they are not good at planning, prioritizing, and time management. No one will do this for you; you must learn it yourself.
Your Skills and Experience
To be successful as a virtual assistant, you’ll need a certain set of skills and experience. These may include administrative, communication, organization, and knowledge of various software programs. If you have experience in these areas, working from home as a virtual assistant may be a good fit. If you don’t have these skills and experience, you may need to invest time and money in training before you can start working as a virtual assistant. However, you don’t need to spend $1,000s on training. Many clients are willing to let VAs learn IF you are honest about it because your rates will often be less than those of experienced VAs. And to give you an advance, signup for free software that clients commonly use, which is an easy way to gain experience. If you want paid training, pick one program and take full advantage of it. I have two; one is only $97 and gives you the basics, then the other is more in-depth and comes with my support. If you’d like to learn about them, you can see the 31-day course here and the longer 6-month course here.
Your Financial Situation
Working from home as a virtual assistant can be a great way to save money on commuting, office attire, and other expenses associated with working in a traditional office. Or maybe you want to do VA work on the side of a full-time job to make extra money. That is originally how I started! However, it’s important to consider your financial situation before switching to virtual work. It can take time to build up your client base. Can you support yourself and your family with the income you can earn as a virtual assistant? Or do you have a spouse that can cover the bills? Do you have enough savings to cover any gaps in income as you build up your client base? I tell my students to draft a budget of the minimum amount they need to make; if you have a spouse or other income, consider that. Then see what number you are left with. Work on getting clients to total that amount before quitting your job if you are still working. This takes a lot of the financial pressure off when getting started. I did VA work for about 1.5 years before quitting my job and doing it full-time.
Your Lifestyle
Working from home as a virtual assistant can offer flexibility and freedom, but it also requires a certain level of discipline and structure. Do you have the space and resources to set up a home office? Will you be able to stay focused and productive with the distractions that come with working from home? Consider your lifestyle and whether working from home as a virtual assistant will be compatible with your daily routine. The biggest challenge regarding lifestyle is if you have multiple young children at home or a baby that gets into everything. And I have been there with three kids, so I speak from experience. What helped me was getting childcare two days a week for my son when he was a toddler. This way, I could schedule client meetings on those days or do work that needed focus.
Your Long-Term Goals
Finally, it’s important to consider your long-term goals when deciding if working from home as a virtual assistant is right for you. Do you want to build a career as a virtual assistant, or is it a short-term solution to a specific financial need? Suppose you’re interested in creating a long-term career as a virtual assistant. In that case, it’s essential to invest in your skills and professional development and to network and build relationships with potential clients. If you consider it a short-term solution, it’s probably not the best option. It does take time to build a client base, and the short-term would likely cause more stress. I’d also ask you to consider do you like marketing and getting clients; if yes, then great. If not, you might want to find a virtual assistant to subcontract for or an agency to employ you. This can also be a great step for those unsure about virtual assistant work.
If you went through all five tips and decided you want to be a work-from-home mom, you are in the right place! And if you still can’t choose, comment below with what you are struggling with, and I’ll see if I can support you in making a decision.
Action Step
If you are ready to be a work-from-home mom, set aside 30 to 60 minutes where you can read this and write out the answer to your questions. Especially the last asking about long-term goals. Writing will often help clarify things, and if you decide this is for you, you have a start on setting up your business. And if new thoughts come up as you write, list those out. Starting a business is a big deal, and you need to deal with all those questions floating around in your head.
A bonus action is sharing what you wrote out with a friend so they can help hold you accountable.
Helpful Links If you know you want to be a work-from-home mom but have no idea how to get started, grab my free guide, “10 Easy Steps to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant.” And if you are lacking confidence and wondering if you really can do it, If I can do it, living in a small rural town in Missouri with no formal business education or entrepreneurial background, so can you!
Go here to grab the free guide!
This guide also works for established virtual assistants looking to grow their businesses and bring in more income!
You’ll also be added to my email list, where I’ll send tips about working as a Virtual Assistant and more business advice.
Helpful Links
I have some helpful information if you have enjoyed this article and want more. If you are a mom wanting to work from home but have no idea how to get started, grab my free getting started guide, “10 Easy Steps to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant.” And if you are lacking confidence and wondering if you really can do it, If I can do it, living in a small rural town in Missouri with no formal business education or entrepreneurial background, so can you!
Go here to grab the free guide! You’ll also be added to my email list, where I’ll send tips about working as a Virtual Assistant and more time-saving tips for busy moms. And feel free to comment here with a tip of your own. The more we support each other, the better!