Turning Crisis to Opportunity: How Health Challenges Led Wirda to a Thriving VA Career
Athika Rahma
SEO Specialist Virtual Assistant at SGBVA
Life often takes us down unexpected paths, especially when challenges force us to rethink our priorities. For Wirda, a former special education teacher in Malaysia, a health crisis led her to discover the Virtual Assistant (VA) world.
Seeking flexibility to heal and care for her family, she found a career that allowed her to work remotely while utilizing her diverse skill set. In this article, we will explore Wirda’s journey—from her early career in teaching and freelancing to her transition into a VA.
In this article...
Health Issues Forced Wirda to Stay at Home
Before becoming a virtual assistant, Wirda’s life revolved around teaching and freelancing. She had spent years working as a special education teacher in Selangor, Malaysia, helping students with learning disabilities.
Alongside her teaching job, she explored freelancing since the year 2000, gaining experience in administration, marketing, public relations, project management, and research. “I’ve always been passionate about helping others, whether it was students or businesses,” she said, reflecting on her journey.
But in 2019, everything changed. Wirda had been living with health issues since childhood, but in April 2019, she experienced a significant medical scare. “I woke up with pain in my head, and after an MRI, the doctors discovered blood clots in my brain,” she recalled.
Despite the clots not being dangerous, the doctors diagnosed her with a stroke, and her right arm became numb. She struggled with basic tasks and even lost her voice for a time. “I couldn’t teach, couldn’t go back to school, and that’s when I knew something had to change.”
With a long road to recovery ahead of her, Wirda sought a career that offered flexibility. “I needed to heal, stay at home, and still earn an income,” she said. That’s when she stumbled upon the idea of becoming a virtual assistant.
Also read: From Home to Hustle: Intan’s Journey of Reviving Her Dreams
The Turning Point for Wirda’s Career
At first, Wirda was skeptical about the idea of remote work. She had seen an ad for SGB VA and wondered if it was a scam. However, after attending a few webinars, she became intrigued.
“I saw Tania, the founder of SGBVA, and thought, if she can do it, why can’t I?” Tanya’s success in Singapore despite her Russian background inspired Wirda to push forward.
Recovering from multiple surgeries and speech therapy, Wirda still faced challenges like typing with her right (dominant) hand. But her determination to make the transition paid off. She enrolled in the SGB VA program and began learning the ropes of the VA world.
Choosing Experience Over Immediate Payment as a Virtual Assistant
During her training in SGB VA, Wirda learned a valuable lesson: collaboration over competition. “When you collaborate, you achieve more than when you compete,” she said. This mindset was crucial for Wirda, helping her overcome anxiety and find success.
To build experience, she started offering her services for free. “I offered a 10-hour free trial to clients, just to get feedback and referrals. I wasn’t looking for immediate payment, just experience,” she explained.
And that’s how her business began to grow. Through word-of-mouth and referrals, Wirda’s reputation spread. “Tanya told me to look within my own circle—family, friends, and their networks—and that’s exactly what I did.”
She specializes in administrative tasks like email management, calendar management, and webinar coordination. Although she is capable of handling social media management and basic graphic design, her true passion lies in administrative work. “It just fits my skills and my personality,” she said.
Also read: From 10 Years in Hospitality Industry to High-Paying Virtual Assistant: Mellika’s Journey
Finally Finding Flexibility and Earning from Home
For Wirda, becoming a Virtual Assistant has been a game-changer. Not only has it given her the chance to work from home, but it’s also opened up the possibility of earning money on her own terms. Sure, the journey hasn’t been without its bumps—like adjusting to the remote work world—but the rewards have been worth it.
Right now, she works on a project basis or offers hourly packages, charging about $10 USD per hour. “For 10 hours, I can make around RM450, and for 20 hours, it’s about RM900,” she explained.
While it’s not quite the income level she’s aiming for yet, the beauty of being a VA is the flexibility to grow at her own pace. Wirda’s focused on building her skills and expanding her client base, all while enjoying the freedom to work from home and support her family. And with each step, she’s getting closer to the financial success she envisions.
Advice for Aspiring Virtual Assistants
For anyone considering a career as a Virtual Assistant, Wirda has some advice:
“Take time to reflect and ask yourself if remote work fits your lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but with determination, anyone can succeed.”
She also emphasizes the importance of specialization. “If you’re interested in graphic design, take courses in Adobe Photoshop or Canva. If administrative work is your thing, look for office management or personal assistant training,” she advised.
Building credibility is also the key. “If you deliver high-quality work and build a strong reputation, clients will refer you. I didn’t use social media much for marketing. My clients came through referrals, and that worked well for me,” she shared.
Also read: From Doubt to Confidence: Rifka’s Story of Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Wanna Follow Wirda’s Journey?
For Wirda, becoming a Virtual Assistant wasn’t just a career change—it was a lifeline. The freedom to heal, work from home, and still support her family has made all the difference. “I hope the VA profession continues to grow and gain recognition as a respected career, just like doctors or lawyers,” she said with confidence.
If you’re inspired by Wirda’s story and want to start your own journey toward remote work, why not take the first step?
Join the FREE SGB VA webinar, just like Wirda did. It’s packed with valuable insights that can help you get started as a Virtual Assistant and build a career that gives you flexibility and freedom. Register now and secure your spot!
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