I started my virtual assistant journey with nothing but a desktop lovingly assembled by my husband, an internet plan, and a whole lot of prayer. I didn’t have a course, a coach, or a clue—but I had grit, and that was enough to get going.
Today, things look very different. The VA world is bigger, louder, and more competitive than ever. Coaches abound, workshops everywhere. But it’s also full of opportunity—especially for women who want to build real businesses from home while raising families, pursuing passions, and living life on their terms.
If I were starting again in 2025, here’s exactly what I’d do. This is the VA Starter Kit I wish someone had handed me back then. This is not in any way comprehensive, but this will definitely get you started.
Start With What You Know
Don’t overthink your first service. You don’t need 10 skills to get started—you need one you’re already good at.
Are you organized? Offer calendar and inbox management.
Do you love writing? Try blog editing or content creation.
A Canva queen? Social media graphics are always in demand.
Start with what’s in your hands. You’ll level up as you go.
Choose One Platform to Show Up On
Forget the pressure to be everywhere. Pick one platform and show up consistently. Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook—choose where your dream clients hang out and be there.
Post valuable tips. Share behind-the-scenes. Let people see the heart behind the hustle.
Back when I was starting, there was no Facebook, no Instagram. So I built a website on WordPress, and posted my services on Craigslist.
Free Tools You Can Use From Day One
You don’t need a full tech stack or paid tools at the beginning. Here’s what I recommend:
Canva (design anything)
Google Workspace (email, docs, sheets)
Clockify (track time)
Asana or Trello (project/task management)
Zoom (client calls)
Create Your “Starter Pack”
Before pitching, prep these four things:
A simple services list (What can you offer right now?)
A short, clear bio (Who are you and how do you help?)
A sample portfolio or mock-up (Optional but helpful!)
Your rates—or at least a range
Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. What matters is clarity.
Where to Find Your First Clients
Everyone wants to know the secret sauce—spoiler: it’s relationships.
Here’s where to look:
Friends of friends (post on your personal FB!)
Entrepreneurs in your niche
VA job boards and communities
Local small businesses needing support
Ask, connect, offer to help. Your first “yes” will likely come from someone already in your world.
A Few Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
Boundaries matter. Your home is your office—but it’s also your home.
Raise your rates before you think you’re ready.
Not every client is your client—and that’s okay.
Burnout can sneak in through the back door if you don’t protect your peace.
You’re allowed to grow slow and still succeed.
You’re Building More Than a Business
You’re building freedom. Confidence. Legacy. You’re showing your kids what’s possible. You’re creating space for joy.
And if you ever feel like you’re not ready, remember:
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.
Let this be your permission slip to begin.
Whether you’re fresh out of a corporate job, deep in diapers, or starting again after a long pause—there is room for you in this industry.
I’ve worn many hats over the years—virtual assistant, mentor, small business owner, craftswoman, community volunteer, and always, always a mom. Some days, those hats sit pretty. Other days, they tumble off in a glorious, messy heap.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from over a decade of working at home, it’s this:
Joy isn’t something you chase. It’s something you choose—again and again, in the ordinary moments.
When I started The Happy WAHM blog years ago, I was searching for connection, for purpose, for a way to share what I was learning as a mom building a business from our living room. I didn’t have a fancy office or a content strategy. What I had was a desktop, lovingly set up by my husband, a 6-year old, a 2.5-year old, a tiny baby that’s almost 1-year old, and a whole lot of grit.
And you know what? That was enough.
I showed up in that season. And many of you showed up with me.
Now, I feel it’s time to show up again—older, maybe a little wiser, and with even more stories etched into the wrinkles around my eyes. I’ve supported big-name clients, weathered personal storms, and rebuilt more times than I can count. But through it all, this truth remains:
We can do meaningful work without losing sight of what matters most.
So today, I’m rewriting the manifesto that’s quietly guided my life as a work-at-home mom:
The Happy WAHM Manifesto
I believe work and motherhood can co-exist—beautifully, imperfectly, and on my terms.
I believe slow mornings with coffee and quick emails with clients can live in the same hour.
I believe boundaries are an act of self-respect, not selfishness.
I believe my worth is not measured in productivity, income, or follower count.
I believe in honest conversations, even when they’re messy.
I believe there is no “small” work when it is done with love and intention.
I believe I don’t have to do it all—I just have to do what I’m called to do, with grace.
This isn’t just a blog post—it’s a homecoming. To my voice. To this community. To you, dear reader, wherever you are in your WAHM journey.
If you’ve been feeling a little scattered, a little tired, or maybe just unsure if this path is still for you—let me gently remind you:
You are not alone. You are not behind. And yes, it’s still possible to build a life you love, from exactly where you are.
A week ago, this post from Cody Bret was shared by a friend on Facebook, and I saved it. I wanted to comment on my friend’s post, but I was pressed for time. So I just saved it. Thinking that I’d leave a comment later.
But I never got around to doing it. And today, I thought maybe I’ll just turn my comment into a blog post.
Because back in 1998, I found my someone.
Here’s that post I’m referring to…
Find someone like this.
Find somebody who is willing to fix their mistakes when they are in the wrong.
Find someone who knows that date nights are mandatory.
Find someone who never punishes you for the mistakes made by the ones behind you.
Find someone who you have amazing chemistry with.
Find someone who is willing to graduate to a real lasting love with you.
Find someone who is willing to navigate the ship of life together.
Find someone who knows that not a single person on the face of this earth sits high enough to look down on anyone.
Find someone who doesn’t make you fall for them without intending to catch you.
Find someone who would rather spend a Sunday morning with you, rather than a Saturday night.
Find somebody who’s quick to put their ego aside, and are willing to listen and grow with you with every day that passes.
Find someone who chases you …. long after they already have you.
Find someone who will never let you fall asleep at night wondering if you still matter.
Find someone who makes a reservation at your favorite restaurant unannounced.
Find someone who has genuine intentions with you from the very beginning.
Take my advice and …. find someone real enough to treat you …. like they can never replace you.
The last time I wrote anything on this blog was in March 2020. That’s a long time of neglect.
But today is special. Because today is the birthday of my someone.
Instead of posting a greeting on my Facebook page as I have always done in the past, I just had this inspiration to write. Because what I want to say is a tad long for a Facebook post.
Oh, yes. I have found my someone. He is everything described above, except for the part where he makes a reservation at my favorite restaurant. He’s never done that. Because our favorite restaurant does not require reservations. In fact, we don’t have a favorite restaurant at all.
Where we’re both at is our favorite. We can eat anywhere and say it’s our favorite place. For as long as we’re together.
On World Oral Health Day, Cleene CLIO invites everyone to celebrate by practicing proper oral healthcare with their families.
A product of proudly Filipino company PHILUSA Corporation, Cleene CLIO has been an ardent supporter of this global oral health initiative, especially with oral care given less priority during the pandemic when accessibility to dentists and visits to oral health facilities were challenging at the height of the lockdowns.
To emphasize the importance of good oral health practices at home, Cleene CLIO has partnered with Manila Water Foundation and Philippine Dental Association to provide oral health kits to various barangays and schools as part of this year’s World Oral Health Day activities. Over 2,000 health kits containing Cleene CLIO toothbrushes and Dental Floss Premium from Cleene CLIO and PHILUSA were distributed to 12 barangays and to the chosen hygiene facility in Dinalaonan Elementary School in Pangasinan.
And as a special treat for World Oral Health Day on March 20, selected Cleene CLIO products will be sold at 20% off exclusively in Mercury Drug stores nationwide.
Cleene CLIO continues to be the partner of every Filipino family, mine included, in promoting good oral hygiene by offering a wide range of affordable and quality toothbrushes.
Cleene CLIO toothbrushes are made with MicroFine Soft Bristles that help penetrate and clean hard-to-reach areas for better interdental cleaning and a gentle brushing experience. The tapered bristles penetrate between teeth and gums for a thorough cleaning, while the rounded shape of the bristles removes plaque and prevents teeth and gum damage.
There is a Cleene CLIO toothbrush for every member of the family that is affordable and has world-class quality. For those wanting extra care and protection for your teeth, Cleene CLIO offers its Refreshing Green Tea and Ultimax Charcoal under their Special care line. While for those needing specialized care, Cleene CLIO has Kiddie and Junior as well as 40+ for sensitive gum and teeth. It also has its economy toothbrushes for general oral health care for any age.
Cleene CLIO is available at Mercury Drug, leading supermarkets, drugstores, and other retail stores nationwide as well as on all leading e-commerce websites: Shopee, Lazada, and the PHILUSA Online Store.
About Philusa Corporation
Established in 1957, Philusa Corporation remains one of the country’s leading marketers of high quality and competitively priced personal care, household care, baby care, and selected pharmaceutical products, making it the source of pride for its customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders.
Now with 10 branches in key cities nationwide, Philusa Corporation is a market leader or major player in different categories like cotton (Cleene), cotton buds (Babyflo Gentle Buds), wound care management (MEDIPLAST), bathroom deodorizer and air care (ALBATROSS), home care and muriatic acid (Gleam and Apollo), home remedies (RHEA Alcohol, RHEA Aceite de Manzanilla and RHEA Hydrogen Peroxide), and uni-branded generic medicines (RHEA Generics).
Philusa Corporation continues its operations, guided by the core values it lives by —championing sustainability; placing its customers’ needs first; achieving the best possible results through innovation, continuous quality improvement, and teamwork; taking proactive steps in delivering its commitments on time; acting with integrity by doing what is right; and having a genuine concern for its customers, employees, and the company itself through taking initiatives in helping one another.
The photo below is of me and someone I totally don’t know.
We did not exchange names, just a few words. “Thank you.” And “God bless your giving heart.“
I was at SM Hypermart Batangas on December 30. We stopped to grab a few things to add to our almost empty pantry on our way home from another errand. Lines were long and everyone’s cart was full. The usual last-minute shopping at year-end, you can say. As for me, I only needed sandwich spread, some tuna, and tomato ketchup. Most of what’s in my cart were cookies for the kids.
The Prestige line was also long, so I took the line that my husband deemed to be fast-moving. He decides for me like that. It was a Big Cart lane, but due to the long lines, they sort of disregarded that particular line protocol.
The man who took the line behind me was carrying a basket. With just a pack of Graham Crackers, a small refill pack of pineapple tidbits, a pack of All-Purpose Cream, and some chicken. One can guess what they’re planning to make.
The man was with a boy who appears to be his son. I don’t know, but as I was looking at him, I felt a tug in my heart, and I started to think of what I could possibly give him. In my cart were some Meiji Panda items. I told my husband, “Dad, I want to give that boy something, ok?” And of course, he said go ahead.
So I decided I’d give him a Choco Panda. But I had to wait until I’d paid for the items.
Then I thought I’d go buy some cake slices from Goldilocks.
My turn at the cashier finally came, and after paying, I handed a Chocolate Cake Slice to the boy. Until then I haven’t even noticed the lady behind me (after the man with the basket) on the line. But after handing the boy the cake, she asked the man, “Yan po ba ang handa n’yo sa bagong taon?” The man simply nodded with a small smile, while telling his son to say thank you to me. Then the lady said, “Ako na po magbabayad lahat n’yan.“
The man tried to refuse, but the lady insisted. And although we were in a hurry to leave after my things were bagged, I just felt a push to ask the lady for a selfie, and took the opportunity to thank her for what she did. Then my husband and I left.
I did not even know I was going to write a blog post about it until today. I originally planned to post the photo on Facebook with a shoutout to whoever the lady is. But here I am, looking back at something that happened so randomly, but has given me a massive inspiration to continue doing good, giving back, and paying it forward. I’m thinking that maybe, this post will inspire you, too.
At some point in our lives, someone has been kind to us. Let’s keep that kindness going. You’ll never know who and how many you can inspire with just a small act of kindness. Even to strangers. Especially to strangers.
