Have you ever thought about starting your own business?
I’d never thought about it before 2020.
In 2020, my husband and I had just purchased our first home. About two weeks later, a worldwide pandemic hit, and we were all sent home to work.
It’s safe to say we were probably all a little concerned that we might lose our jobs, so I started looking into remote job opportunities.
I was only looking for remote jobs. Starting a business wasn’t even on my radar.
Then, I came across a woman named Belinda Sandor, who’s the founder of The VA Connection.
The VA Connection program teaches you how to be a Virtual Assistant. At least, that’s what I thought at first.
But more on that later.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the extra income to invest in going to VA School at the time.
So, I waited, but I continued following her on social media.
Throughout the next three years, I’d periodically see one of her posts promoting her program and wonder if I should try it.
Fast-forward to 2023, and my husband purchased land in North Florida.
For many years, he’d desired to be in full-time ministry, and we’d been praying about how to do that.
The story about how we ended up deciding to start a farm and a ministry will be a story for another newsletter, but for today, the purchase of land in North Florida was the reason I finally decided to invest in VA School.
Before investing in Belinda Sandor’s VA Connection, I’d researched other remote businesses and VA programs. I’d even paid for some of these programs but I didn’t like them.
Then Belinda Sandor offered a free 5-day Kick Start course, and I signed up.
What could it hurt? It was free!
Day 1 taught me more than I’d already learned in all of my research, and by Day 5, I knew I needed this program if I was going to be successful.
Some people suggested I look for YouTube “How to” videos and learn that way, but I like structure, so after talking about it with my husband and praying about it (A LOT), we decided to make the investment.
This was the best decision I ever made!
I didn’t learn how to be a Virtual Assistant in VA School. I’d worked as an administrative assistant my whole life and had already done many things VAs do.
What I learned was how to start and run an online business.
Her program walks you through figuring out what services to offer, how to price your services, how to create your website, what to put on your website, how to network, how to talk to people about your business, and so much more.
She offers group coaching calls and office hours throughout the week, during which you can talk to her through Zoom calls.
Group coaching is amazing because not only do you get to meet several other wonderful VA students who are all at different levels of starting their businesses, you also learn from each other.
I completed VA School with a community of fellow VAs to whom I can ask questions when something comes up. I wouldn’t have found this community if I’d tried learning everything on YouTube.
While I’m not a full-time VA yet, I hope to be one day.
My husband and I just sold our home in South Florida and are purchasing a home in North Florida to put on that land we bought in 2023.
I’m so glad I didn’t wait until our move to invest in learning something new.
This newsletter ISN’T ONLY for those of you who are thinking about becoming a VA, it’s also for those who are thinking about starting a business and need to learn where to begin.
If you want to become a VA – I highly recommend VA School. If you’re going to join The VA Connection, use my affiliate link here. I may earn a commission if you sign up, but I genuinely believe you won’t regret it.
If you want to start any business but don’t know what kind to begin, invest in a business coach for help deciding how or what type of business to start. It’s so worth it.
The best part?
Attending VA School not only taught me how to start and run The Grateful VA, it also taught me everything I’d need to help my husband run the Farm and Ministry we’re starting in North Florida.
For that, I’m extremely grateful!
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