Buy Back Your Time: How a Virtual Assistant Can Change the Way You Work

Carolyn Armstrong
Oct 14
4 min read

Updated: Nov 25

Written by Carolyn Armstrong & Sarah Miller

Running a small business in regional WA often means wearing all the hats - marketer, bookkeeper, customer service, operations, IT, cleaner… and maybe even sheep wrangler on the side 🐑

You launched your business dreaming of more freedom: flexible hours, long weekends, and time for your family, health, and community. But somewhere along the way, those dreams got replaced by inboxes, admin, and never-ending to-do lists.

If that sounds familiar, we’ve got good news. You can buy back your time - and that’s where a Virtual Assistant (VA) comes in.

So… What Is a VA Anyway? (And Yes, We’re Real People 😂)

By Carolyn Armstrong

Ha! This is the question I get all the time - and yes, we’re 100% real humans. Proof? Picture me, my laptop, and my dog Whitey, who’s convinced he’s the co-founder of my business.

After years working as an oncology and palliative care nurse, I realised that while I loved helping people, being confined within four walls didn’t light me up. I wanted a way to blend my purpose - helping others - with the flexibility to live and work where my energy flows best.

That’s how I became a Virtual Assistant.

At my core, I still help people. I just do it differently now - by helping business owners regain time, structure, and peace of mind.

What Does a VA Actually Do?

Think of all the parts of your business that drain you - the things you dread, delay, or don’t have time for. Now imagine handing those over to someone who actually enjoys them. That’s the magic of a VA.

A skilled VA can handle:

Admin, inbox, and calendar management
Client communication and customer service
Writing, editing, and marketing support
Social media strategy and scheduling
Website updates and content uploads
System setup, automation, and process mapping
Brainstorming, problem-solving, and fresh ideas

“You’re not hiring to grow your business - you’re hiring to reclaim your time.” - Dan Martell, Buy Back Your Time

Why a VA Is More Than “Just Admin”

By Sarah Miller

Most people think hiring a VA is just for big businesses or boring data entry. Not true.

A great VA is your CEO Side-Kick - someone who not only helps run your operations but also helps you grow strategically.

Imagine this:

📧 No more email overwhelm.

📅 Seamless systems and automations.

📱 Social media sorted — content strategised, created, and scheduled in advance.

That’s roughly 10–15 hours of your week back — to spend on revenue-generating work, rest, or simply living your life again.

The ROI of a VA

Over my five years as a VA, I’ve seen the transformation that happens when small business owners finally let go. They sleep better, think clearer, and fall back in love with their business.

The truth is - a VA isn’t an expense. It’s an investment.

When you delegate what drains you, you create space for what drives you. You buy back your time, energy, and creativity - all the things that made you start this business in the first place.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

Finding the Right Fit

Carolyn here again!

Choosing a VA isn’t about hiring just anyone who can tick tasks off a list. It’s about aligning with someone who understands your mission, values, and energy.

At Graceful Valour, I help clients figure out:

What tasks can be delegated (and which shouldn’t)
What VA support could look like for their specific business
The cost and time trade-off
How to build a sustainable working relationship

Whether you’re a café owner in Carnarvon, a creative in Kalbarri, or a small-town bookkeeper juggling everything solo - VA support can look different for everyone.

It’s not just about outsourcing work - it’s about creating space for the life you want.

The Cost of Not Hiring a VA

Sarah’s turn again!

If you’re hesitating because you’re worried about the cost of hiring a VA, flip the question:

💭 What is it costing you not to?

Every late-night email, every Sunday spent on admin, every burnout moment - that’s costing you.

A VA gives you something money can buy back - your time, your sanity, and your spark.

Final Thoughts

From both of us — we see you, regional business owners. You’re juggling so much, often without the same resources as metro-based businesses. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether it’s a few hours a week or a long-term partnership, a Virtual Assistant can be the difference between surviving and thriving in business (and life).