88. VA Spotlight Series 2025: Malai Chellios on Bold Moves, In-Person Networking & Building a Thriving VA Agency

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I'm so excited to bring you our latest VA Spotlight Series featuring the incredible Malai Chellios! Malai's journey is a powerful story of making bold moves – I'm talking packing up her family and moving from Illinois to Florida, knowing it would mean a pay cut. Faced with the need to bring in income but wanting to stay home with her three kids (including a newborn!), Malai decided to invest in herself and dive into the virtual assistant world. And you guys, she didn't just dip her toes in – she went all in! By following a step-by-step process, Malai booked out her VA business within just a couple of months. Here’s what you’ll hear from Malai: How a bold family move became the catalyst for starting her own business. The step-by-step process she followed to land her first client within days of applying for jobs. Her unique and powerful strategy for landing high-value local clients through in-person networking. How she transitioned from a booked-out VA to launching her own successful agency, Simply Solved. The ripple effect of her success, leading to two more new business ventures with her husband! Her core message for anyone thinking of starting: "Just do it!" Malai's story is proof that when you believe in yourself and take consistent, bold action, anything is possible. If you're looking for a dose of "just do it" energy and a unique perspective on client attraction, you need to hear this!   Episode Outline: Welcome Malai Chellios & Her Journey as a Virtual Assistant (01:09) Making a Bold Move: From Illinois to Florida (01:37) The Challenge: Facing a Pay Cut & Needing to Work from Home (02:53) Discovering the Virtual Assistant World & The Academy (04:18) Taking Action: Booking Out Her VA Business in Under Two Months (06:33) The Power of Long-Term Clients and Continued Growth (07:25) Leveling Up: The Decision to Launch a Virtual Assistant Agency (08:39) The Secret Sauce: Landing Clients Through In-Person Networking (09:51) Strategy in Action: Walking Downtown & Joining the Chamber of Commerce (10:13) The Power of a Genuine Conversation & Effective Follow-Up (11:12) Malai's Core Advice: "Just Do It" and Run for Your Business Idea (13:22) The Ripple Effect: How VA Success Led to Two New Business Ventures (13:56) Final Tip: Build Your Business Around Your Expertise & What You Know (16:11) Final Encouragement & Where to Connect with Malai (17:29) Closing Remarks (18:24)   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 Immediate Access to The IT Factor https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/47tfmzrtwkww Become a VA: https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/0cFsPp0jC0zAkvYQ0MMZ   Ways to Work with Malai: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malai.lingle   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.