The concept of a virtual assistant might sound like a modern invention, but it’s actually been around far longer than most people realize. If you thought the virtual assistant role was born during recent lockdowns, think again. This “new” trend has deep roots: virtual assistants (VAs) have been quietly helping businesses run smoothly since as far back as the 19th century.
Today’s business owners often feel like they’re juggling a dozen tasks at once, from managing emails to scheduling appointments and everything in between. It’s a fast-track to burnout. The irony is that successful entrepreneurs throughout history have never done it all alone, they’ve always had help behind the scenes.
Delegating routine work to capable assistants is a time-tested strategy. Yet some modern entrepreneurs hesitate, thinking hiring help is a luxury or a recent experiment. In reality, getting support for your busy workload isn’t a new idea at all; it’s the secret sauce that’s been used by savvy business people for generations.
A Brief History of Virtual Assistants
Long before the internet (or even the telephone), professionals relied on dedicated assistants to keep their affairs in order. In the late 1800s, Sir Isaac Pitman invented shorthand and opened one of the first schools for secretarial services. Back then, these assistants were called secretaries or clerks, and they were essential for handling correspondence, typing up documents, and managing schedules, all with pen, paper, and early typewriters.
By the early 20th century, virtually all successful executives and business owners had someone in the office to organize meetings, take dictation, and generally keep the wheels turning. These behind-the-scenes pros were the original “engines” making business run smoothly, even if they didn’t get much spotlight.
Fast forward to the late 20th century: technology began to reshape how assistants worked. The personal computer, email, and fax machines opened the door for working beyond the office. In fact, companies like IBM experimented with remote work as early as 1979, allowing some employees to work from home – proof that the idea of working remotely predates Zoom calls by decades.
It was during the 1990s, with the spread of the internet, that the title “virtual assistant” truly came into being. One popular story credits a woman named Anastasia (Stacy) Brice with coining the term “virtual assistant” in 1996 after she provided administrative help to a client entirely from her home office.
Around the same time, author and entrepreneur Christine Durst was championing the work-from-home assistant model; by 1995 she had founded the virtual assistant industry in the U.S. and later co-founded the first professional organization for VAs in 1999. In other words, by the end of the ‘90s, being a remote personal assistant was officially a thing.
The early virtual assistants proved that physical distance was no barrier to providing top-notch support. Armed with email and early internet tools, they managed calendars, booked travel, handled paperwork, and more – all without being in the same room (or country) as their clients. This was a revolutionary shift in the work culture of the time.
It showed businesses that they could get expert help without needing a full-time, in-office staff member for every task. From the 2000s onward, the virtual assistant industry only grew, aided by faster internet, cloud collaboration tools, and a global talent pool. By the 2010s, entrepreneurs worldwide were hiring VAs to handle a multitude of tasks.
The Unsung Heroes Behind Modern Businesses
Despite this rich history, many people only truly discovered the power of virtual assistants during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. Suddenly, remote work was the norm rather than the exception, and the value of having a reliable assistant working virtually became crystal clear to businesses everywhere. In 2020 alone, hiring of offshore virtual assistants jumped by 41% as companies adapted to remote operations.
But remember – this wasn’t a brand-new solution, just more people catching on to an established practice. Post-pandemic, the trend has only accelerated. As of 2022, the virtual assistant role is so sought-after that businesses across all industries are actively looking for skilled VAs to support their growth.
Consider what happens when entrepreneurs don’t delegate: Studies show that executives spend up to 16 hours a week on routine administrative chores – time that could be spent bringing in new clients or developing strategy. In fact, one productivity report noted it takes about 25 minutes just to schedule a single meeting and around 3 hours a day to wade through emails.
No wonder there never seem to be enough hours in the day! As business author Cameron Herold famously put it, “If you don’t have an assistant, you are one.” That quote hits home for a lot of overworked entrepreneurs. It’s a reminder that if you’re doing all the scheduling, emailing, and admin work yourself, you’re effectively acting as your own assistant and probably stretching yourself too thin.
On the flip side, successful leaders from Fortune 500 CEOs to scrappy startup founders know that having the right help makes a huge difference. It frees them up to focus on high-level priorities. It’s not that you can’t handle those small tasks; it’s that your time and energy are better spent on bigger priorities.
How Virtual Assistants Help Businesses Today
The role of the virtual assistant has expanded well beyond typing letters or answering phones. Today’s VAs can handle an impressively wide range of responsibilities, often making them an indispensable part of a growing business. Here are just a few examples of what a virtual assistant can do for you:
- Administrative Tasks: Managing calendars, booking appointments, organizing files, and handling day-to-day emails and correspondence.
- Research and Data: Conducting market research, compiling data reports, or gathering information you need to make informed decisions.
- Social Media and Marketing: Scheduling posts, responding to comments, drafting content, and helping manage your brand’s online presence.
- Bookkeeping and Finance: Invoicing clients, tracking expenses, basic bookkeeping, and coordinating with your accounting software.
- Customer Service: Answering customer inquiries via email or chat, managing support tickets, and keeping your clients happy with prompt responses.
- Personal Tasks: Booking travel, scheduling personal appointments, or even sending out gifts, handling life admin so you can maintain a work-life balance.
Many virtual assistants now have specialized skill sets. There are VAs who focus on graphic design, others who excel in project management or sales support, and so on.
This means you can find a person with the precise expertise you need. Whether it’s managing your webinar logistics or keeping your e-commerce inventory updated, there’s likely a virtual assistant out there who “gets it.” And unlike a traditional full-time employee, you can engage a VA for exactly the number of hours or specific tasks you require, a highly efficient solution for many small businesses.
Empower Your Business with a Virtual Assistant
By now, one thing should be clear: the virtual assistant role isn’t a fleeting trend that started during lockdowns; it’s a proven asset with a long history of helping businesses thrive. The only question is, have you tapped into this resource for your own business yet?
If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner feeling stretched thin, imagine the difference it would make to have a skilled professional handling the routine work that eats up your day.
You don’t have to do it all alone and in truth, the most successful business leaders never do. Delegating isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategy for growth and sanity. You can give yourself the same advantage that others have been quietly using for over a century.
If you’re ready to reclaim your time and focus on what really drives your business, reach out to me today to explore how a virtual assistant can help. Let a VA take on the busywork while you concentrate on the bigger picture of your business success. Your future self will thank you for it!
