23/10/2025
🚩 I WALKED AWAY FROM A “BIG OPPORTUNITY.”
A few weeks ago, someone messaged me out of nowhere.
“Hey! I saw your profile. We’re looking for someone like you — a go-getter VA who can handle multiple tasks.”
Sounds promising, right?
So I asked what kind of help they needed.
He replied,
“Basically, someone who can manage our clients, edit videos, handle social media, and do admin tasks on the side.”
That’s four different roles in one sentence. 😅
Still, I stayed professional.
I said,
“Alright, can you tell me your budget range?”
And he said the words I’ve heard too many times before:
“We usually start at $3 per hour, but if you do great, we can talk about raises later.”
I smiled (even though my soul was screaming).
Because here’s the thing —
He wanted a full-on project manager, content creator, designer, and customer support all rolled into one…
for the price of a single iced coffee. ☕
So I asked gently,
“I’m curious, what kind of results do you expect from this role?”
He said,
“I just want someone who can handle everything so I can focus on growth.”
That’s when I knew this wasn’t about growth.
It was about finding someone to carry the whole business for $3/hour.
I explained,
“For that kind of setup, I usually start at $15-$20/hour, depending on the complexity. I’ve been in this field for eight years now.”
He laughed.
Not in a rude way, but that “you must be kidding” kind of laugh.
“Oh wow, I didn’t know VAs charge that high.”
And I said,
“It’s not about charging high, it’s about charging fair.”
He went quiet.
After a few seconds, he said,
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll just find someone more affordable.”
And that was it.
A few days later, I checked his job post again — he was still hiring, still offering $3/hour, and still looking for someone “flexible and reliable.”
But here’s what hit me:
It’s not my job to convince someone of my worth.
💬 Because if they see your skill as a “cost” instead of an “investment,”
you’ll always be underpaid and overworked.
✨ Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:
The cheapest clients usually have the most expensive energy.
The ones who say “we’ll raise your rate later” rarely do.
And saying “no” is sometimes the most professional thing you can do.
So to every VA reading this —
Don’t shrink your value just to fit someone’s small budget.
Don’t apologize for charging what you’re worth.
And don’t settle for clients who think $3/hour buys your loyalty, creativity, and strategy.
The right clients will never make you feel guilty for valuing yourself. ❤️
