Hey everyone! Welcome to my journey on how I launched my very own virtual assistant business. This will be a blog and my story of how I decided to quit my job and my journey to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. I will never forget in 2019, I was taking a shower, and the Lord spoke to me to assist with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population.

I was literally about to go back to school in a few weeks to teach in the classroom and I did not know how that was going to happen. I remember telling another entrepreneur I wanted to shadow her but I never did and just stayed in contact with her from time to time.

Fast forward to June 2022, when I decided to leave the classroom and profession that I had been in for 10 years. I felt after having my first newborn baby and being a first-time mom I wanted more time at home. I wanted more flexibility and time with my family. I found a career at another school district that allowed me to still assist students in special education. Believe it or not, I enjoyed the desk job and paperwork. It worked for me and my family at the time. My boss at the time even allowed me to work from home. I thought I had made it, I thought this was it. One of my coworkers and I were saying we were set, we wanted to retire from this job, but God had other plans.

In March 2023, my boss came to my office telling me I was going to be taking on the full caseload for the entire 23-24 school year alone on top of possibly no longer working from home. My plan was no longer successful and I was crushed. Having the thought process that my degree was only in education I felt like I had to stay and this was my only option. Yes, God has given me many gifts and talents, I thought I had to stay. After prayer and seeking guidance from the holy spirit, I realized I no longer had to stay and be complacent. I was way too comfortable. God said it was time for a shift.

Going back to January 2023, I had already been looking for other side hustles, work from home jobs just to make some extra income to support my family.
I came across a company that discussed how to be a virtual assistant. I had never heard of what a virtual assistant was. It just so happened my schedule aligned with a FREE three-day course on what virtual assistance was and how to become one. Within the next few days, I already had my first client and told my husband I had a new side hustle. He was on board and supported my decision.
I thought I could manage and handle both careers and be set.
Of course, every educator looks forward to summer break. This was my second official summer break not teaching summer school. This time was a little different because my husband was home on short-term disability and my daughter was home with us as well. I loved waking up early reading and studying scripture, working on my virtual assistance tasks, and being with my family. Everything felt perfect all in the comfort of my home.

As the end of the summer approached, I realized I loved working from home and having the flexibility and time to do what I wanted when I wanted. I knew it was time to transition from being an employee to being a sole proprietor. The holy spirit had spoken to me several times and I didn’t listen. Well, today I announce I am free and I have my own business. I chose my family, my time, and my purpose on this earth. I am now living a life designed for myself. I pray this blog will bless other moms and women around the world. You can do it as long as you believe, have faith, and trust God will work it out for your good.

Ava Dunlap

7/25/2023