THE REAL IMPACT OF BEING A SUMMIT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Every VA has a story, but some stories remind us why this industry is more than just online work. It’s growth, freedom, and the chance to build a life with more presence, both professionally and personally.
Today, we’re proud to share the journey of Angelo Tan, one of Summit VA Solutions’ dedicated virtual assistants whose experience captures what it truly means to thrive in this field.
Where It All Began
For Angelo, the VA world started back in 2013, long before remote work became the norm.
He recalls, “Initially… it was witnessing how my siblings are enjoying the benefits to it. Decent income, no commute, no tax, etc.”
Like many VAs, he was drawn in by the practicality. But what made him stay over the years is much deeper.
According to Angelo, “Why I stayed as a Virtual Assistant is how it molded me to become a better person… I improved professionally… and I mostly enjoy the benefit of having more time to myself.”
Summit VA Solutions always believes that the VA career is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle shift. Angelo’s story proves exactly that.
Growing Through Challenges
Starting out wasn’t easy. Fresh from graduation, Angelo admits:
“I had no idea what I was doing. With zero background, I had to adapt.”
Adaptability is a core Summit value, and one of the biggest predictors of long-term VA success. Angelo leaned into change, learned new tools, embraced new environments, and discovered that flexibility is a superpower in this industry.
His advice mirrors this mindset:
“Adapt to changes… Learn to adjust working with different people with different personalities.”
Finding Balance and Becoming Indispensable
Balancing multiple clients and tasks is part of every VA’s reality, but Angelo approaches it with a simple, grounded perspective:
“You have to learn to prioritize… especially the ones that are time sensitive. You have to have an SOP for everything, and you have to be highly organized.”
At Summit VA Solutions, we emphasize systemization and strong foundation skills and Angelo is a great example of how structure leads to confidence.
His mindset is something we hope new VAs will hold on to:
“Be proactive… know you went above and beyond, be indispensable.”
A Moment That Made It All Worth It
When asked about his proudest moment, Angelo didn’t mention achievements, promotions, or milestones.
Instead, he shared this:
“It would be the day my son had a presentation at school… I realized how blessed I am to be able to be there and be present to watch my son perform.”
This is the heart of the VA journey, having the freedom to show up for the moments that matter.
We believe success isn’t just measured by client satisfaction or output. It’s also measured by the quality of life our VAs gain along the way.
Advice for Aspiring VAs
Angelo’s guidance is honest, practical, and rooted in real experience:
- “Learn to accept mistakes… but try to make sure those mistakes won't happen again.”
- “Learn new things; if there's an opportunity to develop new skills, volunteer.”
- “Be proactive… be indispensable.”
This is exactly the growth mindset we nurture, one that turns beginners into confident, versatile, and highly valued professionals.
Final Thoughts
Angelo’s journey reminds us that becoming a VA is not just about earning from home. It’s about becoming more adaptable, more skilled, more present, and more connected to the life you want to build.
At Summit VA Solutions, we’re proud to support talents like Angelo who redefine what professional success can look like.
