From Doubt to Confidence: Rifka’s Story of Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Athika Rahma
SEO Specialist Virtual Assistant at SGBVA
Who would have thought that behind every seemingly simple decision, there’s a huge opportunity waiting to be discovered? That’s exactly what Rifka experienced when she decided to become a Virtual Assistant (VA). From feeling uncertain to finding comfort in a job she never imagined doing, Rifka shares her inspiring journey of how she took the leap into the digital world. Her story could be just the motivation you need to take your own first step!
In this article...
From Uncertainty to a Bold Decision
Rifka started her journey with a lot of doubts. After spending 4-5 years as a stay-at-home mom, selling dresses, kids’ toys, and other items online to help support her family, Rifka felt unsure about returning to the workforce full-time. Her life had shifted to a more flexible schedule, and she wasn’t sure if she could step back into a full-time career. But everything changed when she first heard about becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA).
At first, she was intrigued by the idea of being a VA, but also felt there were many barriers in her way. One of her biggest concerns was her English.
“English was always a huge hurdle for me. I didn’t feel confident,” Rifka recalled, reflecting on her early days. But everything changed when she attended the SGB VA webinar. That’s when things started to click for her. “Tania said, ‘You don’t need to be great to start, but you need to start to be great.’ That really stuck with me,” Rifka said. It was the encouragement she needed to begin her journey, even though she didn’t feel perfect.
Overcoming Fears and Gaining Confidence
One of the biggest roadblocks for Rifka was her fear of English. However, after participating in the webinar, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that she could follow along just fine. “I could understand what they were saying. Turns out, my English was good enough to get started,” she recalls.
Rifka realized that all along, she’d been letting her fear of not being fluent hold her back, when in reality, with practice and continued learning, she could improve over time. “Once you start, you learn as you go. Most of the barriers are all in our heads, and once we take the first step, things start to make sense,” she said.
Another thing Rifka had to get over was the belief that she needed a specific academic background to become a VA. But in the SGB VA webinar, she discovered that having a specific degree wasn’t necessary. “As long as you’re willing to learn and develop your skills, you’re good to go,” she addeds. This was a huge relief for her. She realized that anyone with the right mindset and determination could become a successful VA.
Starting at the Right Time
A pivotal moment in Rifka’s decision-making process was when she realized the digital world was moving quickly. “I was living with my parents, my kids were still young, and I still had savings,” she explaineds. This moment felt like the perfect opportunity to act. If she didn’t start now, she worried it might become even harder to make the leap later. “If I keep putting it off, the world is going to keep moving faster, and I’ll be left behind,” she said.
When she thought about the VA world, Rifka saw it as a growing field that could offer a stable future. “This is a fast-growing industry, and if I don’t jump in now, I’ll miss out. I can’t let that happen,” she explained.
Choosing to Focus on Social Media Management (SMM)
Initially, Rifka thought she would start as a VA doing administrative work since it seemed like the easiest entry point. However, after taking the SGBVA course, she discovered that there was one area in high demand that she felt more comfortable with: Social Media Management (SMM).
“Why SMM? Because it’s in high demand. Almost every online business needs a presence on social media,” she said. Rifka also felt more at ease with social media because she had already spent a lot of time using platforms like Instagram. She had a basic understanding of the patterns and strategies behind it. “I already knew how to create engaging posts, write captions, and edit videos. It felt like the perfect fit for me,” she beamed.
Rifka’s decision to focus on SMM turned out to be spot-on. The online business world relies heavily on social media to build brand presence and reach customers, and Rifka knew she could offer valuable support in this area. She was confident that this was a niche where she could make a real impact.
Rifka’s First Client
Rifka’s very first client wasn’t from a far-off country—it was actually someone she knew from her university days! Her university senior, whom she had kept in touch with, became her first client. This was a huge confidence boost for Rifka.
That first client gave her a sense of validation. It proved that with the right approach and determination, opportunities could come from the most unexpected places.
However, Rifka’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. Her next opportunity was with a potential client from the UK, and this one didn’t land quite as easily as she hoped. “I thought I was bothering them too much by asking about payment and the contract. I was so worried that I was being too pushy,” she admitted.
But that’s when Rifka realized she had to change her mindset. Instead of focusing on the business side of things first, she decided to approach the situation from a place of service. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m here to help. My goal is to solve their problems, not just to make a sale.’” Once she shifted her focus to genuinely helping her clients and offering value first, everything started to fall into place.
Soon after this mindset shift, Rifka successfully landed the UK client. It was a major turning point in her career. She learned that the key to building successful client relationships was not just about securing contracts but about being genuinely helpful and building trust. This new approach led Rifka to not only close deals with the UK client but also open the door to more clients in the future.
Overcoming Doubts and Building Confidence
For Rifka, doubt was a constant companion throughout her journey. But instead of letting that doubt paralyze her, Rifka learned to embrace it as a sign that she should move forward.
She also suggests writing down your fears so you can better understand what’s really stopping you. Rifka admits that when she first started, she didn’t feel fully ready, but she still decided to take the plunge. “I don’t think anyone is ever fully ready. But once you start, you’ll learn and grow,” she said.
Rifka also believes that investing in a course is crucial. “When you invest in something, you’re more committed. You’re more likely to put in the effort and take the learning seriously,” she explains. This was a key turning point for her. The money she spent on the SGBVA course was a motivating factor that made her even more determined to succeed.
Tips for Anyone Still Hesitant to Start
Rifka’s best advice for anyone still unsure about making the leap into becoming a VA is simple: “Just start.” When you begin, you’ll figure out what you like and what you’re good at. Rifka herself started with administrative tasks but eventually found her passion in Social Media Management. “You have to try things out. That’s how you find your strengths and interests,” she said.
She also emphasizes that becoming a VA isn’t just about getting clients—it’s about gaining insight into the world of online business. “I learned so much about the online business world. For example, I learned about Facebook Ads, how to make Instagram posts more engaging, and how to add value to your content. There’s so much to discover,” Rifka shared with excitement.
Follow Rifka’s Journey to Be a VA
For anyone still hesitating, Rifka’s advice is clear: the first step is the most important one. Don’t be afraid to start. Every small step brings you closer to your goal. So, why wait?
If you dream of working from anywhere, at any time, while taking care of yourself and your loved ones, becoming a virtual assistant is the right choice. Knowing how to start is key—that’s why SGB VA invites you to join our free webinar. Here, you’ll get a clearer picture of the virtual assistant world and learn how you can become one. Register below to secure your spot!
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