Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Matesic.
Natalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
While looking for an internship in college, I found a position open for a “virtual assistant.” Not knowing what it was, but excited to try something new, I eagerly applied. I was hired & was quickly given tasks surrounding social media, graphic design, blog writing, and event coordination. I immediately loved the flexibility & couldn’t believe that I was living out my dream of working a flexible job from home while going to school & working a 2nd job at a local market.
I quickly learned that this was an amazing opportunity to explore interests, learn new skills, and quickly grow my own business. Within just a year, I was signing new clients on, raising my prices, and growing a business that would get me through college! After 4 years of doing this on my own, I joined a professional VA group & graduated as a certified VA alongside other amazing women. This really helped me gain the confidence to do this on my own & know that no matter what, I always have a plan in place.
Being a virtual assistant has not only grown my skillset beyond what I could have ever imagined & grown my confidence to run a business on my own, but it’s given me the opportunity to meet hundreds of influencers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and other VA’s – a privilege that I would have never experienced had I not entered this industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a VA comes with its own unique challenges, and this industry is not always a smooth road! When starting out, I had a privilege a lot of other VAs didn’t have at the time – a connection that was able to introduce me to many bloggers, influencers, and entrepreneurs that needed help. But clients don’t stick around forever. My longest-standing clients seemed to all decide to go in different directions all at the same time this past year. This is just the life of a VA. No matter how dedicated you are to your job, clients aren’t a guarantee.
Some will decide to hire full-time work, and some will be going through a hard time & not feel the need to pay a VA anymore. And that’s okay. But when this happened, I didn’t have the connections I used to have, and I was lost. I thankfully was able to join a VA group at the time that gave me the confidence & the tools to go out & find client work myself. Through this work, I was able to build my business back up to what it was & MORE. After gaining that personal confidence, I was making more money than I was before. And I no longer have the fear that if my clients leave, I’ll be lost & alone again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a VA, I’ve learned that it’s better to have a dialed-in list of tasks that I am equipped to handle & not just operate as a jack of all trades. I used to operate my business this way and found that I was doing a million different tasks for a select few clients. I wasn’t known for anything & I wasn’t confident in any of those particular skills. Now, I offer a select set of skills to my clients — Writing, social media, and content creation. That’s it! By offering my best (and most favorite) services to my clients, I’m known for my copywriting & content writing. I’m known for my social media management. And I’m known for my content creation & repurposing abilities.
In my business, I’m most proud that I’ve worked through many challenges & obstacles to get here. I didn’t do it alone & I kept going, even when it got hard. I’m proud of the work I produce for my clients & my ability to help others’ businesses in a way that they were struggling to do alone. Being an assistant & helping others reach their dreams is a dream of mine! Being a VA takes incredible discipline. You set your own hours, you set your own pricing, etc. There’s no boss on the other side of the screen yelling at you to be online at a certain time. It’s all on you. I think some people think it’s easier because of that, but I think it adds challenges that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Doing it all on your own can sometimes be difficult, but having that discipline really sets us VAs apart from the rest.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love doing new hobbies & trying new things. I think that’s why being a VA is so appealing to me. I get to try something new every day! I love learning more about myself through personal hobbies because they’re a reflection of my soul. I love biking, hiking, rock climbing, and yoga. I especially love cooking and even crafting, such as ceramics & wheel throwing. Nothing makes me happy like the outdoors. Connecting with nature is always time well spent & I am never not happy with the sun shining down on me.
I also love working with the local vintage community in Columbus. I currently have a clothing rack at Eclectiques Antique Mall where I sell vintage clothing of my own. I’ve loved collecting & sharing my finds with the world & being a part of the vintage community has gifted me so many friends & connections that I will cherish forever.
Pricing:
- 12-hour package per month: $540
- 20-hour package per month: $840
- 30-hour package per month: $1,260
- 40-hour package per month: $1640
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.natalieroseva.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalierose.va/
Image Credits
Sophie Kerivan
