118. VA Spotlight: From 17 Years of Teaching to a Thriving Virtual Assistant Business with Emma Forrest

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I’m so excited to bring you a conversation with the wonderful Emma Forrest! Emma is a powerhouse member of the VA Leadership Academy who recently celebrated her one-year anniversary in business. Before she was an expert virtual assistant, she spent 17 years as an elementary school teacher. We dive deep into her transition from the rigid, draining schedule of the classroom to the fluid, high-growth life she has created for herself now. I love Emma’s story because she is so transparent about the reality of starting a business in your 40s. We talk about why your life experience is actually your greatest competitive advantage and how you can leverage decades of "soft skills" to become a high-value virtual assistant. Emma also shares a fun behind-the-scenes look at our shared love for quality children’s movie soundtracks—yes, we’re talking Descendants!   Here’s what I dive into with Emma: The breaking point that led her to leave a 17-year teaching career to protect her health and peace. How she landed her first virtual assistant clients by tapping into connections she made 20 years ago. The three pillars of the VA Leadership Academy that helped her move from "newbie" energy to total confidence: Academics, Mindset, and Growth. The advantage of being an "older" entrepreneur and why it’s never too late to pivot. How she found her niche in the Real Estate and Interior Design industries. A realistic look at her daily routine, including time-blocking, dog walks, and being present for her kids' activities. Why the community aspect of Vala is the "magical" element every business owner needs to stay driven. Whether you are a teacher looking for an exit strategy or someone wondering if you have what it takes to start a virtual assistant business later in life, Emma’s journey is the perfect roadmap. Tune in to hear how she went from being reactive and exhausted to becoming a calm, confident CEO!   Episode Outline: Introduction and a shared love for the Descendants soundtrack (01:26) Emma’s background: 17 years in elementary education and administration (03:05) The emotional and physical toll of teaching and the need for change (04:36) Deciding to start a virtual assistant business at age 43 (05:35) Why life experience is a massive advantage in the virtual assistant industry (06:50) Using former colleagues and connections to book your first clients (07:30) The power of feedback and clarity gained through the interview process (08:21) Academic, Mindset, and Growth: The three highlights of Vala (09:30) The shift that happens when you start doing identity work (10:44) How to match your passions and dreams with a marketable skillset (11:46) Building a safety net to remove the "desperation" energy from your business (13:56) Finding a specialty in the Real Estate and Professional Organizing space (15:05) A day in the life: Coffee, time-blocking, and paper calendars (16:23) The freedom to schedule hair appointments and grocery runs during the day (18:57) Overcoming the "cheating" feeling of having a flexible schedule (19:30) Why the Vala community is a unique and driven space for virtual assistants (21:00) Using the daily job board to identify market patterns and pricing (22:36) How to connect with Emma Forrest on Instagram (23:28) Reflecting on one year of incredible business growth (24:23) Connect with Emma: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaforrest_va/ Website: https://www.forrestvirtualsolutions.com/ Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.