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.

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As in "no food, no pay for rent" broke.

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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.

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​After 3 months, I got my very first official client!

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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.

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It was a moment. I told myself. Working from home is not for me.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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