There are many virtual assistance companies around, including local options as well as international ones. So, let's break it down.

​

Some agencies advertising in Vancouver offer overseas support, which is cheap but inherently problematic due to language and cultural barriers, as well as lack of local knowledge and oversight.

​

Other services offer rock bottom pricing and advertise that they only use local support (however, check the fine print to be sure - you'd be surprised by what you may find out). But think about it. Low prices means low wages, leading to either inexperienced or undervalued workers... who often don't last long.

​

Then there are other virtual assistants who offer only themselves as workers. This is not a bad option, as long as you have back-up plans for when you have an urgent job you need help with but your provider is sick, on holidays, busy on someone else's big deadline, or just not answering your phone calls and emails in a timely manner.

​

And one person can only have so many good skills. Can you reasonably expect or trust just one person to do your bookkeeping, including keeping up with the latest CRA rules, handling your SEO and social media accounts, designing your infographic, and providing quality customer support to your clients?

​

Is that one person passionate about what they do, detail-oriented, a true people-person, process-driven, knowledgeable and highly skilled in all aspects of your business needs, as well able to provide that big picture feedback to help you find time- and cost-saving solutions for your business? Of course not. And neither are you, which is why having a team gives you the best opportunity for success!  

​

It's also worth considering that working for just one company at a time is very different than knowing how to juggle multiple clients and priorities. Many administrative assistants think they can handle becoming virtual assistants, but they don't realize the intense time management challenges, the self-motivation required, the diversity of tasks and the quick mental switches required for successfully working on-demand for multiple clients, carrying out a variety of work. On top of all that, virtual assistants who are self-employed are actually trying to run their own businesses in addition to assisting their clients. As you know, managing a business takes time and focus away from doing other work. 

​

After having worked as an administrative assistant, followed by many years of experience working as a virtual assistant and managing teams of virtual assistants, Managing Squirrel Laura Kassama can attest that it takes a special type of person to be successful as a virtual assistant. She has watched many virtual assistants fail, and has seen many others just limp along - trying hard for their clients but not really succeeding.

​

So, that's where Virtual Squirrel comes in. We have a large team of happy and well-fed Squirrels, well-suited to the challenges of virtual assistance. We are highly skilled, and we provide each other with the support needed to be truly successful. As a team, we constantly share knowledge, help one another (where skills overlap), and provide excellent quality control through our innovative internal management system. We are totally dedicated to delivering the highest quality virtual assistance you can find, and we are having fun doing just that!

​

At Virtual Squirrel, you will find us to be eager, organized, cheerful, resourceful and effective. You'll appreciate our high quality workmanship and memorably good customer service. Remember, we are really here for you!