Confessions of a VA Story #2

Karen, is a single mother from Naga City, Camarines Sur, in the Philippines with a truly inspiring freelancing success story. 

Here is what she shared with the Ion Anthos Team.

I started as a freelancer way back in 2012. I gave birth to my daughter that year while I was working as a team manager at a BPO company. I was not comfortable having to work at night and always leaving her in my mom’s care. In the mornings, as much as I wanted to spend time with her, I was too exhausted.

It was a real struggle excelling in my career, receiving the income needed to provide for her while at the same time spending time and caring for her - she was just a tiny baby.

A friend, who started as a freelancer, offered me work. The salary was not that good, but I went for it just because I would be able to work from home. We lost that client after a year, and it was again a struggle in terms of finding a new client. Luckily, I was able to land another Shopify Managerial role where I was the first VA hired. I guess I handled it well, because as more VAs were hired, the client asked me to refer people and I became the lead VA. At that time I knew that a digital career was my passion and that I excelled in the field.

I started working in December of 2016. I can clearly recall that we had just been hit by typhoon Nina. There was a total regional blackout, so I went to a hotel lobby to finish my onboarding. I stayed in that hotel lobby every night for five days until the new hire orientation just to have access to power and internet. I remember Nate offered me a Shopify VA request when I finished the orientation, but I declined it. I was thinking that if I pursued it, I might not be able to give it my best since we didn’t have power or easy access to the internet.

Daniel, an agent working under me at my former BPO company, referred me to the marketplace. He said it was a great network to be in. I was encouraged to join because it would be the first time that I would be in a marketplace and have great access to clients. 

I started with one client for two hours a day, five 5 days a week. I remember that there weren’t that many requests for freelancers at that time, especially for CS and general VA roles. The marketplace was only in its first year as a hiring marketplace exclusively, after all. I told myself to just be patient, take care of this client and soon I would be able to get more.

After three months, I got another client. I didn’t have much of a background in recruitment, but I conducted interviews and screening when I was a BPO team leader each time we had to recruit new agents for ramp season. I did not know I was gonna get the HR role. I wanted it so bad, though, because it would add to my hours as well as allow me to interact with more people. Luckily, I was hired.

My very first client is also still with me until this day. She is always telling me that she is happy with my work. She even gave me an increase. I feel very much valued and appreciated for my hard work. My freelancing career has grown in the span of just one year. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I could achieve the things that I have in that short time. This has been the best thing that ever happened in my six-year digital career. 

However, it was not a walk in the park. Growing my career through the marketplace entails consistent hard work, excellent communication and serious skills. These three have paved my way to a successful career as a freelancer.

Right now, I have a total of six clients. I feel blessed. My hours are full and I have stopped accepting new clients. I want to make sure I manage my time effectively and give my clients the best - I always make sure that my clients are happy.

Karen, you are an inspiration to many that’s just starting out. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Wishing you all the best as you excel in your career while raising your children.