It takes courage to start a business, especially as a Virtual Assistant, carving out your niche. Many of you are just beginning, building your foundations, and facing challenges you never anticipated. But here’s the secret I wish I knew earlier: you don’t have to go through it alone.
Let’s talk about something deeply personal that has changed the trajectory of my entire journey.
Embracing the Power of Being Real
One thing I’ve learned through my new career as a virtual assistant and as an entrepreneur, in general, is that it is okay to be vulnerable. It is okay to share your struggles.
For many of us, this idea goes against everything we were taught. It’s ingrained in our upbringing to maintain a polished exterior, to not show any weakness. But when you’re building your VA business, that protective wall is what keeps you stuck.
Think about the environment we often come from:
I’ve grown up in a society where people take advantage of you; they will envy you even if you speak about how much you are struggling and how much you need help. Some others will belittle you and never see goodness in you, no matter what you do.
That cultural caution is real, and it’s valid. It creates a reflex to guard your heart and your journey. Naturally, we carry that reflex into the business world, fearing judgment or competition. We worry that admitting a struggle makes us look unprofessional or incapable.
But here is where the entrepreneurial world offers a profound shift in perspective—and a true blessing.
Finding Community, Not Competition
What I discovered when I stepped into the world of online entrepreneurship—especially within supportive communities of female Muslim business owners and VAs—was radically different.
But in the entrepreneurship world, that was different. Everyone helps each other; they offer you a hand when you need it and never seek anything in return, and being someone who is always more comfortable speaking their mind and heart, that was a true blessing.
This is not a myth; it’s the reality of a healthy, growth-focused community. When you stop seeing your peers as competition and start seeing them as colleagues on a similar mission, the dynamic changes entirely.
Sharing a struggle doesn’t make you look weak; it establishes you as authentic and relatable. It gives someone else the permission slip they needed to admit they are going through the same thing. This is the foundation of powerful networking and meaningful connections that propel your business forward.
The Confidence of Not Having All the Answers
Let me be completely transparent with you:
I’ve struggled and I still do, I don’t know all the answers, and I am not afraid to seek help anymore.
This shift—from hiding to seeking—is a game-changer for new VAs.
When you’re building your foundation, it’s impossible to be an expert in everything from marketing funnels to invoicing systems. Trying to pretend you are will only lead to burnout and poor quality work.
Instead, I focused on strategic investment and mentorship:
I’ve invested in myself repeatedly and took advantage of every opportunity I came across, and made a mentor out of everyone in the industry I could relate to.
This isn’t about throwing money at every course. It’s about being intentional with your learning and surrounding yourself with people who are further along. It means:
- Hiring a coach for mindset or systems.
- Asking a detailed question in a paid community.
- Seeking advice from a peer who successfully launched the service you’re struggling with.
Your vulnerability opens the door for these vital learning opportunities.
Take the Leap
So, for every Virtual Assistant or Muslim female entrepreneur who is currently building her foundation and feeling the pressure to be perfect, I want you to remember this:
I want you to do the same: ask for help, share your struggles, own your accomplishment, and never think twice about how others will see you because everyone is going through shit sometimes, and that is okay.
Stop comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 10. Your journey is yours, and its struggles are your fuel for growth.
I loved it when people helped me, and I want to do the same for everyone who might need it.
The foundation of a successful business isn’t a flawless service offering; it’s a strong, resilient, and supported owner.
You never have to be alone in this.
Let’s Connect
In Morocco, we have a beautiful phrase: we talk about “empty your heart.” It’s about letting the weight go and sharing the burden. That’s what I want to offer you right now.
So please, if you need someone to talk to and empty your heart (as we say here in Morocco), let me know in the comments what your biggest frustration in business and I will reach out and talk through it.
You never have to be alone in this!
