Hi, I’m Joanna Marie. But you can call me J, JM, or Marie OR whichever version of me you’ve met in this lifetime.

I’m the heart and hands behind The Virtual Assistant Diary. If this blog feels like a cozy coffee chat with a fellow VA who’s been through the highs, the hiccups, and the deadlines-that-make-you-cry.. that’s because it is. 

This is where I pour the things I’ve learned (and unlearned) over the past 15 years of working from home, long before it was cool, and definitely before the world realized pajamas could be professional.

A Digital Diary, 15 Years in the Making

Let’s rewind a bit.

The year was 2010. I was juggling a corporate job and side gigs, slowly dipping my toes into the VA world. It was a wild idea back then.. “work from home? what’s that?”

But with nothing but a laptop, an internet connection, an empty apartment and a whole lot of curiosity, I began. 

I got my first stable part-time client through an agency, wrote my very first blog post on WordPress (cringe-worthy formatting and all), and eventually walked away from my 9-to-5 to pursue this path full-time. 

Scary? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

The blog? It was born from a simple desire:
To document.
To reflect.
And to share, in case someone else needed to know they weren’t alone in figuring this whole thing out.

Over the years, The Virtual Assistant Diary quietly evolved. Sometimes it slept (aka I got too busy or too burnt out to write), sometimes it broke (RIP to the times it got hacked), but it never really died. Because the calling? The mission? It never left.

So, Why Relaunch Now?

Because after 15 years, I’ve seen it all! The hype, the heartbreaks, the promises of “instant 6-figure VA income” with zero skills (please don’t fall for that), and the quiet, consistent wins of those who chose to learn the right way.

This blog is (hopefully) my answer to all the noise.

A soft but strong reminder that this path can work if you treat it with care, strategy, and a whole lot of heart.

Now, with courses in the works at courses.thevirtualassistantdiary.com (yes, finally!), a podcast that’s real talk, not highlight reel, and a community built on truth and generosity The Virtual Assistant Diary is stepping into its next chapter.

And I’m so glad you’re here for it.

A Few Things You Should Know About Me

I’ve worked with clients from Australia, UK to the U.S., in roles ranging from executive assistant to digital marketing strategist.

I’ve built my career while supporting my family, traveling, grieving, growing, and raising a beautiful little boy named Theodore.

I’m not here to sell you fluff. I’m here to share what actually works with a sprinkle of life lessons, tech tips, and honesty.

I recently launched Live Your Dream: A Podcast by TVAD because voice matters, and I’ve got stories to tell.

What’s This Blog For?

For every woman who’s ever wondered, “Can I really do this?”
For every mom who wants to be present and still provide.
For the ones who are tired of the hype and just want something real.
This is for you.

So, whether you’re here for the tips, the templates, the truth bombs, or the tea? ..  welcome.

The diary is open, and there’s always a page and a seat for you.

Come as you are.

Learn at your pace.

Build the life you dream of  one client, one step, one brave choice at a time.

With love,