Should You Work With a Virtual Assistant Agency—or Go Solo?
If you’re thinking about starting your own Virtual Assistant business, there’s a big decision you’ll face early on: Should you join a Virtual Assistant agency to find clients, or go out on your own?
It can feel like a toss-up. Agencies seem to offer built-in support, steady work, and less pressure. But striking out solo gives you more freedom, ownership, and control.
Let’s talk about what each path actually looks like—and how to decide what’s best for you.
What Is a Virtual Assistant Agency?
A Virtual Assistant agency is a company that contracts with businesses and then assigns that work to individual VAs on their team. In most cases, you’re not an employee—you’re a contractor. The agency manages the client relationships, handles the payments, and tells you what to do.
If you're new to the online space and just trying to get your foot in the door, this might sound like a dream. But there are trade-offs you need to understand before signing on. Agencies can be a good temporary stepping stone, but they’re rarely the path to long-term success and freedom.
Here are the biggest benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant agency.
Built-in Clients
One of the most appealing parts of joining an agency is that you don’t have to find your own Virtual Assistant clients. Agencies often have a pipeline of business owners looking for help, and they assign those clients to you. If marketing and outreach feel overwhelming, this can be a big relief.
Structure and Support
Many agencies provide systems, SOPs, or templates you can use in your work. Some even offer basic Virtual Assistant training or onboarding materials. If you’re brand new and don’t have your own processes in place, this structure can be helpful.
Quick Experience
Working inside an agency can be a good way to get exposure to different kinds of clients and industries. You’ll build experience quickly and get clearer on what types of services you enjoy offering. You might also get a sense of which types of clients are a good match for you—and which are not.
Some Virtual Assistants even use their agency work as a testing ground before narrowing down their niche or building a solo business.
The Downsides of Working with a VA Agency
While there are some definite pros to working through an agency, there are also some pretty massive drawbacks. If you’re considering working with a VA agency, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.
Lower Pay
Agencies act as the middleman between you and the client. That means they’re taking a cut—often a big one. You might be doing $50/hour work while getting paid $18-$25/hour.
That might be fine for short-term cash flow or experience-building, but it adds up fast. The difference between working for yourself and working through an agency could easily mean thousands of dollars in lost income over time.
Less Freedom
You’re still technically a business owner, but the setup doesn’t always feel like it. Agencies often assign you clients, dictate how the work should be done, and expect you to follow their systems.
You might also have to be available during specific hours or use certain tools—even if they’re not your preference. This can limit the flexibility you were probably looking for when you decided to become a Virtual Assistant in the first place.
No Real Relationship with your Clients
Agencies usually want to keep the client relationship in-house. You’re not encouraged to build a direct connection or lead the work. That can make it harder to build trust, make strategic suggestions, or be seen as a true right-hand partner.
And if you ever leave the agency? You can’t take the client with you—even if you did all the work. Your track record and relationships stay locked inside the agency.
No Ownership of Your Growth
Perhaps the most limiting part of agency work is that you don’t fully own your growth. You can’t raise your rates, adjust your packages, or create long-term contracts with clients who love working with you. Your future is determined by what the agency offers—and that puts a cap on how far you can go.
Going Solo: Finding Clients on Your Own
If you don’t want to go through an agency, the other option is to market yourself and find clients directly. It’s more work upfront, but it gives you full control over your business.
You choose your services. You set your rates. You decide who you want to work with—and how you want to be treated.
This route takes more confidence and commitment. But it’s also how you build a business that gives you real freedom, real income, and real growth.
If you’ve had VA coaching or mentorship, this can give you the strategy and tools to skip the agency path entirely. You’ll know how to create a strong offer, pitch yourself, and deliver high-level support that makes clients want to stay long-term.
You’ll also learn how to brand yourself, speak to your ideal client, and sell your services in a way that doesn’t feel like begging for a job. It’s all part of building a business—not just doing client work.
Building Your Confidence to Go Solo
If the idea of finding your own clients feels intimidating, you’re not alone. But that fear usually comes from not having a clear system or understanding how to pitch your services.
That’s where VA skills training and online Virtual Assistant courses can make all the difference. They help you learn how to show up like a business owner, not just an assistant. You’ll practice writing proposals, leading discovery calls, and creating packages that serve real client needs.
You don’t need a fancy website or years of experience. You need clarity, confidence, and a few smart systems. That’s how you attract aligned clients who want to pay you well and treat you with respect.
Which Path Is Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best decision depends on your goals, your experience level, and how fast you want to grow.
An agency might be a good fit if:
You’re looking for quick experience or part-time work
You’re not ready to market yourself or pitch to clients
You want someone else to handle the sales process for now
Going solo might be the better move if:
You’re ready to build something that’s fully yours
You want to earn more and control your schedule
You’re committed to learning VA business strategies that help you grow
Either way, make sure the path you choose gets you closer to the business—and the life—you actually want.
Final Thoughts: Your Business, Your Rules
Whether you choose to work with a VA agency or go solo, the most important thing is to treat this like a real business. That means thinking beyond tasks and hourly rates. It means deciding what kind of work you want to do, how you want to grow, and how you want to show up for your clients.
If you do choose to start with an agency, let it be a stepping stone—not a long-term ceiling. Use the experience to build your confidence, then branch out and create your own client base.
And if you're ready to skip the agency path altogether, know this: You can absolutely do it. With the right VA skills training, a clear plan, and a little courage, you can build a Virtual Assistant business that gives you the freedom and flexibility you’ve been craving.
Sign up for my email list to get weekly encouragement, tips, and strategies on how to start and grow your VA business—straight to your inbox. I’ll help you take bold steps and make smart moves, no matter which path you choose.
