My freelancing journey began in 2007. I was a sophomore in college, balancing academics with my love for endless naps, when a friend’s sister offered me a gig as a copyeditor (just a fancy term for “proofreader”) for books by self-published authors. The pay? ₱0.30 per word, so 10,000 words meant ₱3,000 extra allowance. For a college student in 2007, that was a big deal. Suddenly, I wasn’t just editing words, I was stepping into a new world of employment.

But like all good things, I had to press pause by senior year. I’d promised my mom I’d graduate with honors, and let’s be honest, editing novels wasn’t exactly helping me ace my thesis. Promise kept, degree earned, and freelancing temporarily shelved.

After graduation, I found myself staring at a blank slate. Instead of rushing into a job, I took a break and enrolled in some courses, TOEFL and Adobe, with no particular goal of what I would do with them. Little did I know, those courses landed me my first job in 2009 as a Marketing Specialist for an offshore US-based publishing company.

Looking back, I realized I got lucky to catch the digital wave early. The company was transitioning to digital, and since it was a small company, I got to do a bit of everything: web design, email and social media marketing, graphic design, and everything in between. It was chaotic, but the learning experience was invaluable.

Fast forward to 2012, when our forward-thinking Operations Director introduced something new (at least in the Philippines back then): remote work. Of course, I grabbed the opportunity, so yes, I was already working from home before it was cool.

At first, I saw working from home as my golden ticket to finish my 8-hour shift in 4 hours and binge-watch TV guilt-free. I developed efficient systems and my setup worked for a while, but eventually I realized I could use my free time more productively (and earn more while I was at it).

Around this time, friends told me about their part-time VA gigs. Out of curiosity and a love for extra income, I created a profile on OnlineJobs.ph, landed a VA role for a UK-based social media agency, and voilà, another door opened.

I Googled my way through tasks I didn’t know and said “yes” to opportunities I wasn’t fully prepared for. (I once got hired to write content, only to realize starting from scratch every time wasn’t my thing. How I wished I had ChatGPT back then!)

I juggled freelancing alongside my full-time job for a few years. It was challenging but rewarding. When a promotion came along and my sister started her own business around the same time, I was eager to excel in my new role and support her entrepreneurial journey. So, I decided to put my VA hustle on hold.

Then life happened. I lost my full-time job in 2019. It was tough, but as the saying goes: when one door closes, another one opens. Luckily, a former manager hired me as a digital marketing VA for her agency, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Enter 2020: The pandemic hit, and suddenly, remote work wasn’t just an option—it was the way! The demand for VAs skyrocketed, and freelancing became mainstream. By 2021, I also left the family business. Not knowing what to do, and going back to full-time employment didn’t interest me, I went all in on freelancing as a full-time digital marketer and VA.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. But here’s what I want you to take away:

Looking back, freelancing was my side hustle for years before it became my full-time job. It took me a while to commit, and that’s okay. Everyone’s path is different. These days, you don’t have to wait years to start a successful virtual career.

If you’re thinking about becoming a VA or freelancer, here’s my advice:

👉 Start where you are
👉 Learn the skills
👉 Nurture the right mindset
👉 Embrace the process

Whether you dive in full-time or ease into it as a side hustle, there’s no “one size fits all.” Your journey won’t look exactly like mine, but that’s what makes your journey uniquely yours.

This is my story.

What will yours be?

Want to know more about my journey? Read more about me here. And if you’re looking for tips, advice, and inspiration to turn freelancing or virtual assistance into a fulfilling side hustle or full-time career, follow along—I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned to help you get there.

Got questions or thoughts? Send me an email or message me on Instagram @virtualtita. Let’s talk freelancing, personal finance, or anything in between!