Ellie started the Virtuellie in 2019, so she could have a better work-life balance with her husband and two boys while working directly with clients from home.
Her vision was to support clients to achieve the same end goal as hers, or to release some overwhelm, get back to that hobby they dearly missed, or just generally get some time back.
Today, Ellie oversees a Virtual Assistant Agency. Her agency dream was sparked in 2021 and came to life in May 2022, with all Australian-based VAs supporting clients of all industries and services.
Since the growth of the agency, she has also co-founded a growing virtual support network, Virtual Network Victoria with an industry peer, Claire Dolton from Impact VA.
When did you start your business?
September 2019
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
My family – I didn’t want to miss milestones and I wanted to create memories. Therefore, the desire to have a better work/life balance.
My extended family and I had never been super close. I didn’t want that for my immediate family.
Employed doing 50 hours+ a week, being paid for my salaried hours and some overtime.
With my firstborn starting school, weighing up costs before/after school care vs. salary, I decided to find new employment. It was a WFH gig and I could pick up/drop off my son at school.
This took its toll on me, I had to forfeit weekends and evenings with my family. Missing out on other milestones.
Falling pregnant with my second son, whilst on maternity leave, I saw an article about Virtual Assistants and thought, “I can do that!”.
I investigated the VA Institute and the rest is history while I worked on a dual strategy (employed and self-employed).
Now I can help others get back to their why / inspiration, now that Virtuellie is an agency with a team behind them, not just me.
What are you most excited about in your business?
There are too many things!
But these would be my top #3.
– Having a vision in 2021 and executing this in 2022, the transition to an agency with a supportive VA and client community behind it, sharing the same values.
– Watching other VAs on the team grow and being able to switch from dual strategy and jumping into full biz owner, with the support of Virtuellie.
– When we see clients achieving or getting back to their why, because of the support Virtuellie has been able to provide
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Trying to run a business at the same time as some personal challenges presented themselves (a terminal parent located regionally in Melbourne) covid and Melbourne lockdowns, second child at toddler age, still being employed part-time, and remote schooling my eldest child.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Yes, it is s&%t scary and not easy. But if it was easy then everyone would do it!!
Creating a business is not a one-person, overnight achievement so, do your research and surround yourself with a community of people who will have your back, understand your industry, lift you up, and also be there for when you have those bad days. (sounds like the Ausmum community right there)
Start off slowly if you need to, just a little bit each day ..15 minutes on a logo or something, start to extend that time out and eventually you will be deep into your business without realising and the success (however you define success) will be achieved.
Keep that momentum going once you are in your business by adding those 1%’s each day.
If you add those 1%s into your business you may not notice it immediately but you WILL notice it and amazing things will.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
To be among like-minded business peers, grow my connections, and remind myself I am doing a great job and that it is okay to acknowledge and that I am worthy of the nomination, be recognised and rewarded for the work I put in.
This doesn’t happen enough in small businesses and too often imposter syndrome creeps in. So if you are unsure.. just jump in and DO IT!!!
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
To be in a room with such amazing, goal-smashing, driven, and ridiculously amazing women from businesses, industries, and walks of life.
You may not think it but everyone has their own story, however small or big. It has helped you to get to the point you are at now.
What surprised you most about the awards?
With how many connections I made from being a part of the awards and conference, the emotion and energy were mind-blowing.
How did the awards help you in your business?
This is a hard one to answer as I am sure it will be further into the future, but immediately.
Client recognition (one of our clients has been a recipient in the past).
But in the present moment, the connections. All the connections I have made want you to just succeed and have your business be at it’s best potential, and they will be there to support, empower, and uplift as much as possible to make that happen for you.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
Don’t think, just do!! I was a winner just to be nominated, but to place 3rd was mind blowing.
Go to the conference, enter the awards and be in it as much as you can, you will take so much away. From connections to professional and personal development and so much more!
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
Being my own boss for so many reasons.
But best of all, achieving the why/the inspo behind why I started my business, being able to be a part of my kids’ lives whenever I want and see those milestones and special moments.
What’s happening next in your business?
Not sure yet, we are approaching another phase of growth and we are currently stepping up the support and guidance (part of it thanks to AusMum and connections made) from external business to see what and how the next step looks.
So watch this space!! We are so excited.
What are your big plans for the future?
To step away from direct client work, work ON my business not IN.
Become an industry leader and support a growing community through my team, Virtual Network Victoria, and clients through networking and other methods/platforms.
Success looks different to everyone, whilst it is always nice to watch that revenue grow, it’s not Virtuellie’s top-tier vision.
It’s not my desire to be making “millions”, it is to be happy with where the business is at, plan that next small step, be present with my family, and have a team that is ever improving/growing, my business running actively without me having to be in it all the
time so I can be actively in my “why” whenever I want.
