Chasing Life's Dream
My Virtual Assistant Journey
Hi again, it's me, Shara. I hail from Bohol, a Philippine island you're probably familiar with. In case you haven't been there, I'll share a snippet about it in one of our talks. My parents went on through separation, and my dad left his job. Being the eldest daughter, I had to step up and be there for my 4 younger siblings. We sold everything. We were BROKE.
As in "no food, no pay for rent" broke.
I quit my BPO job to be physically there for my siblings. In Bohol, opportunities were limited at that time, and I felt a bit lost about where to begin. Yet, my determination to keep us five siblings united was unwavering.
We were still blessed as kind souls extended their help. Through one connection, I got introduced to a family friend who owned a small local Airbnb. I worked as an admin assistant, and in return, I can use her computer and internet to look for online opportunities.
So, how did I start?
It was a neighbour working from home who inspired me to work from home. I saw them living comfortably and having a great time with their kids. But I didn't know what they do, how it works, where to start or where to look for job listings. I encountered fake interviews and decided I would reach out to that neighbour. She recommended Craigslist. She shared techniques to differentiate genuine job postings from fake ones. Following her advice, I applied to a few job listings on Craiglist.
After 3 months, I got my very first official client!
In August 2014, I worked as a General Virtual Assistant for a Singapore-based consultancy firm's CEO. Despite my lack of experience, this role became a foundation for learning the basics. After a few months, I secured another client through a Craiglist application – they needed a social media manager for a two-month period. Though my pay as a beginner was modest, it provided some relief for my siblings. This brought me immense joy until the Singaporean CEO concluded my contract due to a reduced remote workforce need. The termination was truly disheartening. I made efforts to seek other opportunities, but a powerful typhoon struck, causing damage to the office and equipment.
It was a moment. I told myself. Working from home is not for me.
I was jobless, for a few months. So I decided to work as a clinical assistant at a well-known hospital in Bohol. Although satisfying, hospital work proved tiring.
In 2016, a friend of my ex-boyfriend generously supported me, funding a laptop and home internet. They saw how much I wanted to help my family. While working at the hospital, I was hired by an ESL company that had previously rejected me. However, ESL teaching wasn't my fit, so I left the ESL and hospital job to focus on looking for online opportunities.
Among setbacks like scams and rejections, I found a part-time client through Craiglist, followed by more projects. In 2017, my third attempt at a VA agency led to success, connecting me with a client offering competitive pay. My part-time client referred me to a friend, who provided a full-time offer.
From that, our lives took a turn. My family and I relocated to a more comfortable apartment. We were able to afford weekly groceries and even invested in some appliances. I provided guidance to my younger siblings, and now they're also working from home, much like me.
My journey as a virtual assistant will always be a testament of hope to me and my family. I'm forever thankful to my clients, not only for my professional progress but for how they changed our lives.
What Started as Survival Became a Career
What began as a way to support my family eventually grew into a career I never imagined for myself.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work with clients and businesses across healthcare, publishing, telecommunications, education, real estate, and small business industries. I've served as a Virtual Assistant, Executive Assistant, Customer Support Specialist, SEO Content Writer, and Project Manager.
Today, with over 12 years of remote work experience, I continue to help businesses through customer support, operations, project management, content creation, and administrative support.
Looking back, I never could have imagined how one Craigslist application would change the course of my life.