📱 Best Platforms
Upwork (executive assistant and virtual assistant job listings from founders and execs), Belay (specialized VA staffing platform connecting assistants with executives), LinkedIn (search for 'looking for VA' or 'need an assistant' posts from busy entrepreneurs).
📖 The Hustle
Founders, consultants, and real estate agents live in their inbox but hate managing it. You triage their email — flag urgent messages, delete spam, draft replies for routine inquiries, and organize the rest. You also manage their calendar, schedule meetings, and send reminders. Charge $15-30/hour or $400-800/month for 10-hour weekly retainer packages.
🚀 First Step
Create a free Calendly account, set up a mock scheduling workflow with buffer times and availability rules, and screenshot it for your service pitch.
🔑 Keys to Success
- Learn Gmail filters and labels deeply — automating 80% of email triage with rules makes you more valuable than a human-only sorter.
- Create a daily 15-minute email summary template: 3 urgent items, 5 pending, 10 FYI — executives love structured brevity.
- Offer a 'zero inbox' one-time cleanup for $100 as a front-end offer — once they see their inbox at zero, they'll want ongoing maintenance.
🛠 Tools & Resources: Gmail, Google Calendar, Calendly, Slack, Notion