Water Your Roots: How Virtual Assistants Can Invest in Growth

Invest in Growth as a Virtual Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you often hold everything together behind the scenes—managing schedules, streamlining systems, and supporting your clients’ success. However, in the hustle of looking after others, it’s easy to forget one crucial thing: you must look after yourself too. Just like an animal can’t thrive without nourishment, your VA business won’t grow unless you consistently invest in your personaland professional development, as well as your well-being. Whether it’s upskilling through courses and masterminds, gaining clarity with coaching, or carving out space for self-care, nourishing your foundations isn’t optional—it’s essential for long-term success.

Meaningful ways to invest might be:

1. Continuous Learning

Why is this important? The digital world is evolving rapidly. AI is taking the world by storm, and clients expect Virtual Assistants to stay current with tools, trends, and best practices. If you don’t stay ahead of the trends, your business will struggle to keep up. That isn’t to say that the age-old tools won’t serve you; they will. However, elevating your business and offerings while establishing trust with your clients is key. 

Ways to Enhance: Subscribe to online learning platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, or Coursera. Additionally, take advantage of learning platforms and help guides that are generally available in the tech tools that you and your clients use. Attend webinars, workshops, and industry events tailored for VAs and your clients’ businesses. To find these, check your local Facebook business pages or your community Chamber of Commerce. Set a monthly learning goal (e.g., one new skill or tool per month). Identify the tasks you perform for your clients to determine what skills they need.

Mastery of Specialized Training and Technology Tools

Why is this significant? Niching down helps you stand out and charge more as a Virtual Assistant. Specialized skills equal greater value for your clients. Clients often hire VAs for their expertise in systems and tools they don’t understand. By mastering a few key skills, you become recognized as the expert in that offering or tech tool, which can lead to referrals.

How can we achieve this?  Enroll in niche courses like social media management, podcast editing, or email marketing. Follow industry leaders and take their masterclasses. Join Facebook groups or forums related to your niche. In most cases, someone has already trodden this path, so utilize the available industry knowledge to enhance your services. Choose a few tools your ideal clients use (e.g., Dubsado, Canva, Flodesk) and master them. Watch tutorials, experiment with templates, and create demo workflows. Offer tech audits or setup services to clients as premium services.

3. Networking and Community

Why is this important? Connections open doors. A strong network can lead to referrals, collaborations, and support. I cannot vouch for this enough. Be an industry leader by becoming a cheerleader for other virtual assistants (VAs). This will be rewarded tenfold when you refer clients to your fellow VAs, and they will do the same in return. Additionally, networking with other industry business owners goes a long way in securing new clients. While one business owner you connect with may not need your services, if you regularly engage with them, you will be at the forefront of their mind when someone they know is seeking the services of a VA. 

How can we do this? Consider joining Virtual Assistant memberships or co-working communities (such as The Virtual Assistant Advantage or VA social groups). Attend in-person or virtual events. This is my absolute favorite and, in my business, it is the number one source of my clients. Having genuine in-person conversations to build and establish relationships is so rewarding in many ways. Not only is it a lead to new clients, but I have found it integral to building confidence. Engage regularly on LinkedIn and Instagram with other VAs and service providers. Have conversations, share the wins, share the losses, and share the learnings.

4. Self-Care Practices

Why is self-care important? You are your business’s biggest asset. Burnout kills creativity, clarity, and consistency. I know; I’ve been there in my past corporate role. I worked tirelessly, then collapsed in a heap, hating my job and, realistically, feeling uninspired and depressed in my life. I was working after hours, so fatigued that by the weekend, all I did was sleep. My nervous system was in overdrive; I would break down at the simplest thing. It did not serve me, so I changed that. I left my corporate role and created a life that serves me well.Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s the key to unlocking your potential and living a fulfilling life. 

Ways to improve? Set boundaries for client work (e.g., no working after 5 pm). Establish these boundaries from the start and incorporate them into your contracts. Be strict and firm. The moment you allow a client to step over your boundaries, you invite them to do so whenever they wish. But remember, it’s equally important to care for yourself. Build routines that support your nervous system: take regular breaks throughout the day, go for a walk or do some exercise, journal, or meditate. These breaks are not just a luxury, they’re a necessity to keep stress at bay. Take full days off (guilt-free!) and plan regular digital detoxes. Our brains should not be ‘wired’ every day. Take some time for yourself away from technology and the hustle and bustle.

5. Financial Literacy

Why financial literacy is important: Knowing your numbers isn’t just about spreadsheets and taxes—it’s about confidence, clarity, and control. When you understand what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s yours to keep, you can make smarter business decisions. You price your services based on value and your worth, not fear. You stop guessing whether your business is working and start knowing exactly what’s needed to grow it. Being knowledgeable about your finances also helps you feel more empowered during client negotiations, set realistic income goals, and confidently say “no” to work that doesn’t serve you financially or energetically.

How can we accomplish this? Track everything! And I mean everything. Using software tools like Xero, QuickBooks, or spreadsheets to monitor income and expenses will help you keep an eye on your numbers and also assist during tax time. Review regularly. Set aside a day each week or month to check your accounts and track your financial goals. Put aside taxes and savings every time you get paid. And PAY YOURSELF! Even if it is a small amount, it triggers your brain to recognize that your business is real. Know your hourly rate. Understanding how long tasks take you is essential for your profit and loss and ensures that your packages reflect fair and profitable pricing. Consider working with an expert, such as a bookkeeper or financial coach. They can help keep your books in order and identify areas for improvement.

6. Coaching for Growth

Why do we need coaching? Working in a business solo can be overwhelming, but also incredibly rewarding. When you handle all the tasks and make all the decisions, self-doubt can easily creep in, leading you to second-guess yourself and experience decision fatigue. Sometimes, you may just be unsure of the next step. This is where a coach comes in. A coach brings value to your business by providing clarity, confidence, and accountability, which is especially helpful when you’re working alone. Coaching can transform everything, particularly if you feel like you’re just spinning your wheels. (Learn about coaching with Alyssa here.)

What steps can we take to accomplish this? Not all coaching is the same. Choose a coaching style that suits your lifestyle: 1:1 Zoom coaching, Voxer coaching, or group programs. It is okay to try a few different types until you find what fits. However, don’t become complacent with that choice—just because a coach is challenging you and you’re finding it confronting in accountability, it doesn’t mean they aren’t the right fit. If anything, they are precisely what you need. Find a coach who has been where you’re and has walked the path you want to take. They will present the real challenges and decision-making processes to your business. The more intentional you are, the more transformational the coaching will be. Don’t wait until you feel “ready”—coaching helps create readiness. Look for a coach whose energy and expertise align with where you’re headed, not where you’re right now.

Below are a few types of specific coaching you could consider: 

• Business coaching – focuses on the overall growth of your virtual assistant (VA) business, making it ideal for setting goals, refining your offers, developing pricing strategies, and scaling sustainably. It can also assist with client attraction, content creation, and converting leads, which is key for virtual assistants looking to scale up their business. 
• Mindset Coaching– helps you overcome limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome, and burnout, empowering you to show up confidently and consistently in your business.
• Skill-Specific Coaching – Tailored support in areas such as copywriting, tech tools (e.g., Dubsado, Canva, Trello), social media, and CRM systems—ideal for VAs looking to upskill in a specific niche.
• Accountability or Voxer Coaching – Provides real-time support, feedback, and encouragement—great for maintaining daily momentum, solving problems, and having a coach “in your pocket” without formal calls.
  

Final Reflections

Your success as a virtual assistant doesn’t just come from how well you serve your clients; it comes from how well you support yourself. Investing in your growth, skills, mindset, and well-being isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation of a sustainable and fulfilling business. So, take the course, book the coach, protect your time, and nurture your energy. The more you water your roots, the stronger you’ll grow—and the more impact, income, and freedom you’ll create in the long run.