My Journey with Virtual Elves Pt. 2
Hello! I’m Alora, the organic marketing girl at Virtual Elves and the owner of House of Fields Design.
It’s hard to believe, but next month marks my one-year anniversary with Virtual Elves!
Recently, I decided to take the plunge in hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, and I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer for both my business and my peace of mind. It’s freed me up to focus on what I love most—creative work and helping my clients thrive. Today, I want to share my experience with you after finally bringing Camille, my virtual assistant, on board.
Initial Anxiety
When I first thought about hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, I was filled with anxiety. My mind was racing with questions:
“Would the ongoing cost be worth it? How much time would it take to get them up to speed? How would I integrate them into the various tools and systems I use every day?”
These concerns weighed on me until I finally took the leap. But after my first official Zoom call with Camille, 90% of those fears just melted away. Hiring a Filipino virtual assistant has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my business.
First Impressions: Easing the Transition
From the outset, hiring a Filipino virtual assistant like Camille brought more benefits than I could have imagined. During our initial Zoom meeting, Camille gave me the confidence to articulate my needs and, more importantly, to be myself. There was no need to put on a ‘boss persona’—Camille’s down-to-earth nature, creativity, and go-getter attitude were exactly what I needed.
“Initially, I had concerns about how she would adapt to my business’s unique needs and workflow. However, Camille exceeded my expectations, quickly proving capable of handling tasks I hadn’t even considered delegating.”
In the beginning, I made it a point to check a lot of her work—not because it wasn’t good, but because I felt it was my responsibility to ensure she understood the tasks fully. It was also essential not to throw her into the deep end without a lifeline.
We established a routine where we meet every Monday and Friday for a quick 10-minute Zoom call. We also communicate regularly through WhatsApp, and Camille keeps our project spreadsheet updated, so I always know where things stand. This structure made it easy to keep a finger on the pulse of every project, even as I handed off more responsibilities to her.
Daily Workflow: A New Rhythm
“One of the most significant changes I’ve experienced since hiring a Filipino virtual assistant is in my daily routine. Before Camille joined, I would start work at 8 am and often not finish until 7 pm or even 9 pm, with no official break time. Now, my day starts at a more reasonable 8:45 am, and I typically wrap up by 5 pm.”
Camille has taken over several tasks, particularly in the realm of creative collaboration on social media campaigns. This has dramatically reduced my stress levels and overtime. As the owner of an organic marketing agency, House of Fields Design, I handle everything for my clients—from social media management to SEO-driven blogs and email marketing. Collaborating with Camille on these projects has not only lightened my workload but also allowed me to maintain the quality and consistency my clients expect.
Productivity and Growth: Expanding Horizons
Since hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, my productivity has soared. Not only do I now have the support I desperately needed, but the process of training Camille also prompted me to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all my client processes. This has been a game-changer for my business.
While I haven’t yet taken on additional clients, I’ve been able to take on more work from my existing ones, something I couldn’t have managed before Camille joined. Before hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, I was over capacity and struggling to stay on top of everything.
“Now, I can finally breathe and see a clear path for scaling my business. I even have potential clients waiting for me to open my books back up. Additionally, Camille’s support has enabled me to increase the number of one-off projects I take on—something I genuinely enjoy.
Overcoming Challenges: Building a Strong Foundation
Of course, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. As I was already operating at full capacity, finding the time to write SOPs and train Camille was difficult. However, this was far less challenging than I anticipated. It was a necessary step to set Camille up for success, and now I’m reaping the rewards.
By investing the time upfront to train her properly, I ensured that our working relationship would be smooth and productive in the long run. I couldn’t expect her to come on board and immediately perform without guidance, but the time spent on training has paid off tenfold.
Work-Life Balance: A New Lease on Life
One of the most significant benefits of hiring a Filipino virtual assistant has been the positive impact on my work-life balance. I no longer find myself apologising to my husband for eating dinner at my desk or bringing my laptop to the couch while we watch TV. I’ve stopped working every weekend, and I was so much less stressed when I took a week off for a holiday in the snow.
“Delegating tasks to Camille has allowed me to establish a much better routine, giving me the opportunity to enjoy a social life again. The balance between work and personal time has improved significantly, something I wasn’t sure was possible before hiring a Filipino virtual assistant.”
Surprising Benefits: Beyond Expectations
Hiring a Filipino virtual assistant has also brought unexpected benefits. It has taught me to let go and trust others to get the job done, something I struggled with before. Camille has not only taken on tasks I used to handle, but she’s also contributed to the creative and strategic direction of House of Fields Design.
“Before Camille came on board, I barely had time to manage my own social media. Now, she handles all the creative aspects for House of Fields Design, allowing me to simply review and write the copy for scheduled posts. This has been a massive relief, as I no longer feel guilty about neglecting my own marketing efforts. “
I’m even considering crafting new, lower-cost offerings for potential future clients, which would make organic marketing support more accessible to small businesses.
Looking Forward: The Future with Camille
As my business continues to grow, I see my relationship with Camille evolving as well. I would love to bring her on for more hours, and eventually, full-time would be ideal.
“I can envision Camille taking on a leadership role in the future, possibly even training other virtual assistants as my business scales.”
Reflecting on this journey, I realise how hiring a Filipino virtual assistant has transformed not only my business but also my life.
My Final Thoughts on hiring a Filipino virtual assistant
My experience with Virtual Elves and hiring a Filipino virtual assistant has truly shown me the difference the right support can make. If you’re on the fence about bringing on a VA, trust me—it’s a decision that can transform not just your business, but your peace of mind as well. The right virtual assistant can help you stay focused, productive, and ready to take on anything that comes your way.
Virtual Elves has been instrumental in helping me find the perfect match—someone who not only supports my business needs but also understands and gels with my personality. It’s more than just outsourcing; it’s about building a partnership that helps your business flourish.
If you’re ready to find your own perfect virtual assistant, let Virtual Elves guide you. Reach out today and start your journey towards greater productivity and success.
Download our ‘100 things a VA can do for you’ checklist and start taking control of your growth.
