Mentors and coaches can have a huge impact on your life and career. For a Virtual Assistant starting out on their journey, they can be extremely beneficial in supporting you and imparting knowledge and advice to make your business a success. 

Some people can find it hard to seek out and develop a relationship with a coach and mentor. It may be outside their comfort zone or they can feel it is an unnecessary expense. But the benefits of having an experienced Virtual Assistant as a mentor, who has made all the mistakes and learnt all the lessons so you don’t have to, can prove absolutely invaluable. It can also be a lonely place as a self-employed Virtual Assistant, and no matter where you are in your VA journey, it’s important to learn how to ask, nurture, and maintain these kinds of relationships.

A Virtual Assistant coach and mentor can help to boost your development and career and increase your business growth.  They can help you start a referral network, create a marketing and business plan and advise you on the right insurance and business registration.  They can give you access to opportunities you might have otherwise not been aware of, and can guide you through challenges you might not have anticipated.

Ask for that first meeting – it can feel a little daunting to make that first connection but remember that the coach and mentor will have been in your situation and is there to support you and put you at ease. Most coach and mentors will offer a free introductory Zoom, a great opportunity for you to both get to know each other and see if it will be beneficial to work together. 

Grow and maintain the relationship – keep the coach and mentor updated on your progress; they will find this rewarding to hear!

I pride myself on working with professionals who are dedicated to making a success of their businesses. I set very clear goals for myself with each client, ensuring they get up and running faster, more effectively and more efficiently than if they were to do it on their own. Ultimately success when working with a VA mentee for me is about ensuring they have clients to work with from the outset. I understand how daunting it is to sell your services and work with each of my clients to help them overcome that hurdle. 

I’m very lucky that I have gained a reputation as a trusted VA and as a result receive a number of client referrals each week; these referrals become the basis of my value added introduction service for VAs who have been through my programme. 

I distinctly remember starting my business, over 12 years ago now, and feeling very isolated.  Fortunately I had wonderful clients who were highly skilled in running their own businesses and were kind enough to share their knowledge and wisdom with me. I know how important self-confidence is; I don’t judge, I empower and encourage and am always available to anyone of my mentees. Over the years my mentees have become very good friends with long last relationships.

Having a Virtual Assistant Coach and Mentor can be lifechanging, personally and professionally.