Making $3k A Month As A Virtual Assistant
Nehal Chohan
Virtual Assistant
Services
UK
$3K/mo
Making $3k A Month As A Virtual Assistant
Nehal Chohan
Virtual Assistant
Servies
$3K/mo
UK
Hi Nehal, tell us about who you are and how you started your business?
After years of being in business support roles ranging from a prestigious London law firm, research institutes and the local council, I feared I would be stuck in a 9-5 office job until I retired. During my time at the law firm, I qualified as a Librarian and thought this was my path.
I then left that role to move to Beijing, however following a series of life events I did not work for 4 years. Once I was ready to work again, I did not want to commute to London, especially as I now had a toddler to think about. I found work locally but it wasn’t a true passion and I craved flexibility and freedom.
Then Covid-19 happened. Spending time with the family, and the simplicity of being at home and not rushing around was calming; I enjoyed it. There was a family death and she was the same age as me which triggered the feeling of where life was heading. I just knew I had to make a change and set this business up.
It was a swift decision as I felt so sure about it. I signed up with a VA coach to learn, set up and launch my business whilst still employed. The initial investment was around £900 for a course and setting up my website.
I was 38 years old when I launched in August 2021. I left my employed role 8 months after launching and since then business has boomed. I finally found my purpose by using my knowledge and expertise gained throughout my working life to help business owners. I started my travel agency business in June 2022 after given the opportunity by a family friend. I had studied tourism in college and university and it was always something I was passionate about but never went into it. When I was offered the opportunity, I jumped to it as it was something I loved and it’s an added service alongside the VA work. I am now building my own team of agents and helping them earn a flexible uncapped income.
What Do You Sell?
Virtual Assistant Services/Independent Travel Agent
What Is Your Website?
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started searching for working from home jobs as I wanted to be around my son more and loved the comfort of my home. Virtual Assistant came up on my search and I was intrigued. So I set up a call with someone that was advertising a course to help set the business up. I knew I had a lot to give and could offer a range of business support services as these were the types of roles I had been employed in since leaving university. The knowledge and experience was there but not in a business setting. This was the first business I ever set up. With the travel agency business, although I studied tourism, it was almost 20 years ago so I had no experience or knowledge but the support and training is amazing so it wasn’t an issue.
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Were there any driving forces behind your motivation to start your business?
I wanted more freedom, and flexibility and not to be limited to a 9-5 office job. I wanted to be around my family and my young son. I’ve always wanted my own business but didn’t know what. Having your own business allowed me to create something of my own and an uncapped income.
Talk us through the process of building your product/service?
With the VA work, I signed up to a course from a VA coach and went step by step which was the best decision ever. It meant I could set up my business properly and laid down the foundation to build my business. The foundation is always being tested and improved and this is something a business owner needs to do.
There are always changes, and keeping up with what clients want. I found, relationship building is important when you have your own business. I go to a-lot of networking online and in person and part of a local business women’s group who are very supportive. I’ve had clients come and go and I have some that have stayed with for a long time. It depends on where they are in their business and having the right synergies. I started building a team early on as clients wanted specific tasks and rather than saying no, I have a great team to take on the work. I have enrolled in coaching programmes as it was important for me to grow as a person in my abilities.
Discuss your marketing strategy..
I’m on Linkedin, and Instagram and have a Facebook page. I get the most engagement on LinkedIn and Instagram, which is where I nurture my audience and this means responding to comments and messages. Having genuine conversations is important as is following up after networking events and connecting on socials. Sometimes the connections lead to calls to get to know each other, then become clients as they know you better. All of it is organic traffic.
Revenue & Financials
Revenue monthly fluctuates as clients come and go and project only work. I have hit £3k months. I didn’t get any funding. I managed by reviewing if expenses were needed and right for the business.
Is this a side-hustle or full-time business?
Full-Time
Talk to us about any challenges you faced along the process?
Challenges were pricing, where there is a line between retainer packages and bespoke project prices. Also investments into costly systems that didn’t work out. I stayed motivated by using coaches and believed in myself and my business. I know it works so I kept with it. Changing my mindset and building my confidence have been pivotal to my business success.
Favourite books, resources, tools?
Think and Grow Rich book, The One Thing book, The 5am Club, The VA Handbook website. I have an all in one system that does everything you need for your business.
How many hours do you work per week on your business?
Hard one to answer, no weeks are the same. As it’s flexible I can choose my
own hours when I do those.
What is the biggest challenge you are facing at the moment in your business?
No big challenges but always reviewing and improving services and building a loyal team.
Any advice for entrepreneurs who want to start a business?
Go for it and believe in yourself.
Are you hiring at the moment?
Yes,I am looking for people to join my travel agency team. Email me at nehal@tidynotesva.co.uk
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