And Build a Business That Works Around You

(Because You Didn’t Leave Your 9-5 to Feel Trapped Again)

I’ll never forget the day I realised I’d recreated exactly what I was trying to escape.

There I was, 11 PM on a Sunday night, frantically responding to client emails while my dinner went cold. Sound familiar?

I’d left teaching to get my life back… yet somehow I was working more hours than ever, earning less per hour, and feeling guilty every time I wasn’t “available” for my clients.

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Most VAs I speak to have fallen into the same trap: they’ve built themselves another job, not a business.

Here’s The Hard Truth About Working All Hours

When you’re available 24/7, you’re not running a business—you’re running a hustle.

And hustles burn you out.

I learned this the hard way when I found myself:

• Checking emails during family dinners
• Working weekends “just to catch up”
• Feeling guilty for taking a day off
• Saying yes to every urgent request (even when it wasn’t actually urgent)

The worst part? My clients started expecting this level of availability. Because when you train people that you’re always “on,” they assume you always will be.

The Difference Between a Hustle and a Business

A hustle: You work for money. When you stop, the money stops.

A business: Your systems, processes, and positioning work for you—even when you’re not actively working.

The shift isn’t about working less (though that comes). It’s about working smarter.

When my client S joined MMAC, she was working 50+ hours a week for £1,800/month. She was exhausted, resentful, and ready to quit.

Six months later? She’s earning more than double and working less than half what she was previously.

What changed? She stopped trading hours for money and started positioning herself as a strategic partner. She raised her rates, improved her processes, and—most importantly—set boundaries that stuck.

“Working with Lottie taught me that being available 24/7 wasn’t professional—it was desperate. Now my clients respect my boundaries because I respect them first.”

How to Transform Your VA Hustle Into a Real Business

Stop Being the Cheapest Option Premium clients don’t shop on price—they invest in results. When you charge premium rates, you naturally attract clients who value your time and expertise.

Create Systems That Work Without You Templates, processes, and clear communication frameworks mean you’re not constantly reinventing the wheel or answering the same questions.

Position Yourself as an Expert, Not a Pair of Hands Experts have boundaries. They have set working hours. They don’t jump every time their phone buzzes.

Package Your Services Stop selling hours and start selling outcomes. This completely changes how clients perceive—and pay for—your work.

Your Business Should Fund Your Freedom, Not Steal It

You started your VA business for flexibility, freedom, and financial independence.

If your current setup doesn’t give you all three, it’s time for a change.

Inside MMAC, I teach VAs exactly how to build businesses that work around their lives—not the other way around. You’ll learn to attract premium clients who respect your boundaries, charge rates that reflect your expertise, and create systems that keep everything running smoothly.

Because here’s what I know for sure: you didn’t leave your 9-5 to create another prison.

You deserve a business that gives you back your evenings, weekends, and peace of mind.

Ready to build a VA business that actually works for you?

Learn more about the MMAC Programme and how it can transform your VA business →