One of my proudest moments as a coach has come to life in this blog. One of my incredible mentees, who only started blogging last year, has now created a beautiful, insightful post by interviewing me. She crafted some thoughtful questions about becoming a Virtual Assistant and building a successful VA business, and I’m thrilled to share her work with you.

HERE’S WHAT TERSIA HAD TO SAY:

“Starting your own business can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating it through trial and error. I was fortunate enough to have Melissa Nicholson, The VA Coach, guiding me along the way. Melissa generously took time out of her busy schedule to share her wisdom with me.”

WHAT ARE THE THREE HARDEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED AS A VA?

• Lack of support early on – When I first started, I didn’t have the support I needed, which led to many long hours of stress and uncertainty.
• Trust issues in business – I learned the hard way that not everyone in business can be trusted.
• Resource limitations – Starting out without the right resources created unnecessary challenges in getting my VA business off the ground.

HOW HAS BEEN A CERTIFIED LIFE COACH HELPED IN YOUR VA TRAINING BUSINESS?

• Overcoming limiting beliefs – Life coaching helped me overcome beliefs that held me back personally, which, in turn, affected my confidence in business.
• Helping others shed their own limiting beliefs – This skill has allowed me to help many women confront and release beliefs that were holding them back.
• Reading people and situations effectively – Applying life coaching techniques enables me to understand people’s needs and situations quickly and to offer relevant support.

THREE KEY PIECES OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING VA’S?

• Find an experienced mentor – Choose someone who has been in the VA world and knows what you’ll face. They’ll be invaluable in helping you handle the challenges that arise.
• Have a solid foundation – Start with all the essentials in place: market research, a well-thought-out business plan, and reliable systems.
• Believe in yourself – Don’t let anyone else’s doubts hold you back. You only need your own belief to make this business work.

WHAT IS YOUR WARNING FOR THOSE STARTING A VA BUSINESS?

• Don’t expect instant success. You have to put in the work, every single day, to achieve your goals.
• Set yourself up for success by making sure you have every resource and foundation in place.
• Build a professional brand and website. This is your business’s face and is essential for making a lasting impression.

IF YOU COULD START AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

• I’d worry less about things beyond my control.
• I’d incorporate planning and time-blocking sooner to keep on top of my goals.
• I’d learn to say “no” more often and protect my time.

WHAT DRIVES YOU?

• The passion for my business and for supporting the women I coach, knowing that I’m helping them build futures they may not have imagined possible.
• My faith.
• My purpose, which is to help others succeed in their businesses just as I have in mine.
• The journey I’ve been on—from nothing to success—fueled by sheer determination.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

• My entrepreneurial spirit.
• The responsibility I feel to see my clients succeed.
• Being results-oriented keeps me focused on reaching and surpassing my own goals, making everything I do fulfilling.

DAILY ESSENTIALS

• My calendar – Time-blocking keeps my days structured and productive.
• Affirmations – Saying affirmations aloud reminds me of my goals and intentions.
• Coffee – A staple for busy days.
• Self-care – I believe deeply in the importance of caring for myself to stay productive and energized.
• Planning – I focus on accomplishing just three key tasks daily to keep momentum without overwhelm.

WHATS YOUR MANTRA?

“Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.”

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME ADVERSITY?

• I take a step back, breathe, and try to approach situations with fresh eyes.
• I remind myself that what’s meant to be will happen, and I don’t dwell on what I can’t control.
• I lean on my faith and let go of situations that can’t be changed.

WHAT ARE YOUR STRONGEST CHARACTER TRAITS?

• Determination – I never give up, especially when it comes to my business.
• Passion for entrepreneurship – This has carried me through both tough and joyful times in business.

MYTHS & TRUTHS ABOUT RUNNING AN ONLINE BUSINESS

• Myth: It’s easy to succeed if you follow online articles.
  Truth: Success requires in-depth knowledge, resources, and a lot of hard work.

• Myth: You can be an overnight success.
  Truth: It takes time to set things up right before promoting yourself.

• Myth: You don’t need a business plan.
  Truth: A business plan is essential to know where you’re going.

• Myth: You need a lot of money to start.
  Truth: I started with no capital, no support, and no backup, and I’m proof that it’s possible.

• Myth: You need a college degree to start.
  Truth: I only had a high school diploma when I began in 2014. Your drive and dedication are what truly matter.

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Virtual Assistant or have questions, check out the different ways I support aspiring and established VAs.