Virtual Admin Assistant for Small Businesses

Self-employed professionals, trades businesses, real estate agents, consultants and small shops with no time for paperwork.

Monthly retainer for a set number of hours, or an hourly rate for ad hoc work. Regular retainer clients give steadier income.

• Organized and detail-minded
• Comfortable with email, calendars and spreadsheets
• Clear written communication
• Discretion with client information

• Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence is needed
• Consider professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance
• Register for GST/HST with the CRA once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial rules
• Use a written service agreement covering confidentiality, scope and notice periods
• Relying on one or two clients is risky, so keep finding new ones

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on your equipment, software and insurance choices. These are estimates, not quotes, so list what you already own before budgeting.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many clients you take on and how many hours you work. Estimates start from about 8 hours a week, so earnings usually grow as you add retainers.

Things to check: whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, whether professional liability insurance suits you, and when to register for GST/HST with the CRA once past the small supplier threshold. Also check provincial rules and use a written service agreement.