Fifteen years. It still feels surreal to say that.

I remember when my sister once told her office mates, “Yung kapatid ko, VA na noong wala pang VA sa Pilipinas. Hindi pa uso ang WFH, pero working from home na siya.”

That moment made me pause and reflect. How did I even get here?

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Career

I remember that one of my very first experiences was as a back-office administrator for an organization in Australia. I had no idea this was just the beginning. Over the years, I picked up skills in web design, dabbled in UI/UX research, and worked as an Executive Marketing Assistant for an organization in New Zealand. Eventually, I transitioned into digital marketing and worked with a Fintech company in the U.S.

From one role to another, from one skill to the next. I kept evolving.

Opportunities I Never Expected

If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d be partnering with young CEOs from the UK to build a back office in the Philippines, I wouldn’t have believed you.

If you had told me I’d be working with bestselling authors, tech leaders, and world-renowned figures in entertainment and business, I would have laughed.

But it happened.

I’ve traveled and worked from different places because, truly, the world is my office. I’ve even been offered full-time positions in the U.S. and New Zealand, but God had other plans. Looking back, I see how everything unfolded exactly as it should have.

The Blessings of Remote Work

One of the greatest gifts of this career is freedom.

Freedom to earn a living while staying close to my family. Freedom to support my mom and younger brother when they needed me the most.

Twelve years ago, when my mom was hospitalized with cancer, I was able to be by her side while still earning enough to help cover her medical bills. That alone made all the struggles worth it.

More recently, I helped my husband start his food business while still managing my own work. And even during the pandemic, when the world seemed to pause, I kept going. With a newborn in my arms, I slowed down, but I was still able to contribute financially and keep the household afloat.

The Biggest Blessing of All

Through all the roles, projects, and years of hard work, the greatest blessing of all has been this: I get to work while being fully present for my son, Theodore.

I never had to choose between being a full-time mom and having a full-time career. I got to have both.

What’s Next?

As I hit this 15-year milestone, one thing is clear.. I’m ready for the next chapter.

I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m excited to find out. Whether it’s mentoring more aspiring VAs, building new digital products, or creating something completely different, I’m embracing whatever comes next.

And to you, reading this, whether you’re just starting out or already on your VA journey, know this: this career is possible.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a VA, take the leap. It won’t always be easy, but I promise you, it will be worth it.

I’ll hold onto this journal for the days when I feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of my next step. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: God has always been faithful, even when I’m not.

And that’s more than enough reason to keep going.

Have your own VA story? I’d love to hear it! Drop a comment below or join our community, where we talk about all things remote work and freelancing.

Let’s keep learning, growing, and thriving together.