How to Find Time to Start and Grow Your Virtual Assistant Business
Starting a Virtual Assistant business can be a game-changer, offering freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build a life of your design.
Let’s get real for a second. You say you want to start a Virtual Assistant business. You say you’re tired of your 9-5. You say you want freedom—control over your time, your income, your life. But then, the excuse comes in: I don’t have time.
Sound familiar?
I know it does because I used to say the same thing. For two years, I told myself I didn’t have time to build my VA business. And because I kept saying it, I kept believing it. But here’s the truth: You have time for what you make time for.
If you’re serious about building a business that gives you freedom, you have to stop treating it like something you’ll get to “when you have time.” Because if you keep waiting for the perfect time, you’ll still be waiting 5 years from now.
And I won’t lie to you—it’s a lot of work. Plenty of aspiring VAs struggle with finding the time to get their business off the ground and ultimately decide to give up.
If you read nothing else in this post, here’s what I want you to take away: You can build a business you’re proud of, but you have to be willing to make some sacrifices, particularly with your free time.
Let’s get into some real talk about how to make time for your VA business, no matter how busy your current schedule is.
The Myth of Not Having Enough Time
One of the most common reasons women give for not starting their Virtual Assistant business is that they don't have enough time. This excuse often stems from juggling a busy 9-5 job, family responsibilities, and other commitments.
And I totally get it—life is hectic. For two years, I was in the same boat, thinking about starting my own VA business but never taking action because I kept telling myself I didn't have the time.
But we need to stop and have a reality check: We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and we make time for what we prioritize. Building a sustainable Virtual Assistant business requires a shift in how you allocate your time and focus.
Where Is Your Time Actually Going?
Let’s break it down. Where is your time going right now?
Scrolling Instagram?
Binge-watching Netflix?
Getting sucked into TikTok for just a minute that turns into an hour?
I’m not judging—I’ve been there. I’ve had days where I checked my phone stats and saw I spent 3 hours mindlessly scrolling on Instagram. Not posting, not engaging for business—just scrolling.
Three hours. Gone.
That’s 3 hours that could’ve gone toward pitching a client, learning a new VA skill, or setting up business systems. That’s three hours that could’ve brought me closer to quitting my job and working for myself.
Now, ask yourself: How many hours are slipping away from you every day?
If you find yourself doing literally the same, this valuable time could be redirected toward building your Virtual Assistant business.
Creating Time for Your Virtual Assistant Business
To grow your VA business, you need to fully commit and make it a priority. This doesn't mean working on it for a few hours on a random Tuesday; it means integrating it into your daily routine.
When I started my VA business, I was working a full-time job and landed my first client within 24 hours. For 4 and a half months, I juggled a 40-hour workweek with an additional 20 hours dedicated to my client. It was exhausting, but I knew it was temporary and essential for building my business.
If you’re going to actually make something happen, you’re going to have to find the time to do it. Start by evaluating your schedule: Identify time-wasting activities—things like excessive social media use, binge-watching TV—and replace them with productive tasks for your business.
You might also have to wake up earlier or stay up later. Try to carve out an extra hour or two on whichever side of the clock you function on best.
Make the most of your downtime, too. Use your lunch breaks, commuting time, or any downtime to work on small tasks or plan your next steps.
Once you’ve got some solid times figured out, build a daily routine and stick to it. Dedicate at least two hours a day, five days a week, to building your Virtual Assistant business.
Limit your distractions while you’re working—turn on Do Not Disturb on your phone, tell your kids and your partner you’re busy and need some time to work, or find a quiet place to hunker down, like a local library.
Make sure you set clear goals for yourself, too. Make a list of what you want to achieve each week and check back in with yourself later to see if you hit your targets.
Overcoming the Challenges of a Busy Schedule
Successfully transitioning from your 9-5 job to a full-time Virtual Assistant business means you’ll need to make some sacrifices. It’s not just about reducing screen time… It might mean skipping social events or cutting back on other commitments.
And trust me, I know these things hurt. It’s not fun to turn down invitations or say “no.” Sometimes it’s actually really, REALLY HARD to stick to your guns. But it’s SO, so important for the growth of your business.
Let your friends and family know about your business goals and the temporary sacrifices you’re making. You might be surprised by how many of them are supportive of what you’re doing and want to see you succeed.
And, most importantly, don’t forget that consistency is key. Even on days when you’re tired, try to do at least one small task for your business. It will help to try and track the progress you make in a journal or use a free project management tool to track your daily tasks and achievements.
Think of this period as planting seeds for a future harvest. Success in the Virtual Assistant industry comes from consistent effort. Even if you can't dedicate large chunks of time every day, small, regular actions add up over time. The time and effort you invest now will pay off in the long run.
Other Women Have Done It—So Can You
I’ve worked with single moms with no support who built successful VA businesses.
I’ve worked with teachers juggling full-time jobs and side gigs who made it happen.
I’ve worked with women who had zero experience and still built thriving businesses.
What do they all have in common? They made the time.
Even when they were tired. Even when they had a million things going on. They showed up for themselves, and now they have a business that gives them freedom.
Here’s the hard truth: If you don’t make time for your VA business now, nothing will change.
A year from now, you’ll still be saying you don’t have time. You’ll still be in the same job, dreaming about quitting but never actually doing it.
Or—you could start today. You could make the commitment to carve out two hours a day, 5 days a week, and build something that changes your future.
It’s your choice.
Start Taking Action
If you’re serious about making this happen, sign up for my email list. I send out encouragement and tips on how to start and grow your Virtual Assistant business—right to your inbox every week.
