Virtual Assistant | Administrative and Creative Support for Australian Small Businesses | Petite VA

When you start working for yourself, there’s a weird blend of excitement and absolute terror. You’re your own boss now — which sounds great until you realise you are also the accounts department, client relations, marketing team, and IT support.  Like many new virtual assistants or freelancers, I opened my business with good intentions, confident in my skills, and a solid business plan. ​But if I could go back and give past-me a few quiet words of advice, here’s what I’d say.

Every business owner has a moment when the wheels start to wobble. The inbox is piled up, files are scattered across folders called “final_v3_forrealthistime”, and the to-do list has items like “Sort out life??”.  It happens to the most organised of us and it doesn't mean we're failing—it's just time for a reset. Here’s how to hit pause, clear the admin fog, and get back to business without starting from scratch.

Microsoft 365 is a powerhouse for small business owners, but most people only scratch the surface of what it can do. If you’re still using it just for emails and document storage, you’re missing out on some serious productivity boosters. With a few strategic tweaks, you can automate repetitive tasks, simplify collaboration, and get back hours of your time each week. Here are some must-know Microsoft 365 hacks that will help you work smarter, not harder.