How I Became Proudly Unemployable

When I started my business as a Virtual Assistant in 2010, I had no idea how much my life would improve. I enjoyed working in various roles in corporate America for 17 years. I was accustomed to a regular paycheck, healthcare benefits, and three weeks of paid vacation. I never understood why anyone in their right mind would give that up and start a business.
 
And then I became a mom, and I understood precisely why. There are mountains of benefits to having your own business - benefits that far outweigh those of working for someone else.
 
Here are just a few: 

1. You set your own hours. To make a 6-figure income, you'll need to do client work for between 35 and 37 hours a week. But you get to decide when you work those hours, whether in the mornings, evenings, on the weekends, or some combination. Whatever fits your lifestyle. 
    
2. You decide how much money to make. No one believes this at first, but it’s true. You’ll need to choose an hourly rate that will support the lifestyle you want and stick to it. Don’t give new client discounts, don’t work for free, don’t negotiate your rate. Doing this is where a lot of Virtual Assistants get into trouble. They think that if the work is easy for them, they can't charge for it; they think they have to start at a low hourly rate and pay their dues. There are no dues.
    
3. You work from home. No commute, no interruptions; your day is your own. You don't have the expense of eating lunch out and don't need a special wardrobe. You do, however, need to make sure you don't get sucked into reorganizing the linen closet in the middle of the day or cleaning out the silverware drawer. It happens.
    
4. You decide who you work with. Unlike having a job, you're not stuck with a terrible boss who micro-manages you or starts an hour-long conversation with you at 4:45 PM on Friday afternoon. If you have a client who's not a good fit, you can end the relationship and move on. There are plenty of great clients out there.
    
5. You're the boss. That's the good news and the bad news. You get to make the decisions in your business, but you also have to make sure that you put in the hours and work to bring in the money you want to earn. You also get to decide how you treat yourself, so monitor your expectations and be kind.

I can't imagine going back to the 9-5 lifestyle and having a job. When I look back at my fears about leaving paychecks, benefits, and vacations behind, I realize I feel much more secure being in charge of my financial future.

I know how to create a regular stream of revenue that easily pays for my healthcare, and I can take my work on the road or take vacations whenever I want. I love being a Virtual Assistant. 

If you’re not already a member of our Facebook Group, The Virtual Assistant Connection, and would like to join, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com