How Ann Whitaker Scaled Her Beauty and Wellness Business with the Support of a Filipino Virtual Assistant
The beauty and wellness industry in Australia is booming, now valued at over $10 billion annually (Source: IMARC Group – Australia Beauty Personal Care Market). From beauty coaches to image consultants and lifestyle professionals, the industry is filled with passionate individuals helping people transform their lives.
However, as their businesses grow, many discover the need for smarter systems and support — and that’s where Virtual Assistant Strategies come in. These strategies empower beauty and wellness professionals to scale their business, stay organized, and maintain the personal touch their clients love.
That was the very challenge facing Ann Whitaker, an Image Consultant and Beauty Coach who has dedicated her career to helping women over 40 rediscover their identity and confidence.
Ann’s Mission: Empowering Women Through Style, Colour, and Confidence
At Ann Whitaker Style & Beauty, Ann’s philosophy is simple: confidence begins with self-expression. She believes that when women align their style, colour palette, and mindset, they unlock a deeper sense of authenticity and empowerment.
Her services include:
- Colour Analysis Consultations – helping women discover the colours that make them shine.
- Wardrobe Detoxes – simplifying wardrobes so every outfit feels effortless and stylish.
- Style Personality Profiling – creating looks that reflect who women truly are.
- Beauty Coaching & Online Courses – combining inner and outer confidence strategies.
Group Coaching & Workshops – building a community of women who lift each other up.
Ann’s mission is to help women step into their true selves with confidence, grace, and style. As her business grew, so did the workload. From managing her online presence to launching new courses, Ann found herself juggling tasks that kept her away from her core mission – coaching and transforming lives.
This is where Alane, her Filipino VA, entered the picture.
Alane’s Story: From the Insurance Industry to a Virtual Assistant
Alane’s story is one of determination and growth. After spending five years working in the insurance industry, Alane gave birth in 2022 and decided she wanted a career change, something that would allow her to spend more time at home while still contributing professionally. This desire for remote work led Alane to explore opportunities as a freelancer, initially as a video editor.
However, her transition into the world of virtual assistance wasn’t without its challenges. Alane faced many rejections due to her lack of experience, but she refused to give up. One day, Alane stumbled upon the EVS Facebook group, and despite her hesitation, she decided to apply.
At EVS, the team sees potential rather than focusing solely on past experience. Francesca Moi, the CEO of EVS, believes that hiring is about finding the right attitude and eagerness to learn. In May 2023, Alane landed her first client, though it was short-lived, it gave her the confidence to trust EVS. She was matched with Ann Whitaker in June 2023, and the journey truly began.
Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges
Starting as a new VA, Alane faced several challenges, especially in the early stages of working with Ann. One of her biggest challenges was the communication barrier. Ann’s busy schedule meant that finding time for virtual meetings was tough. However, the two quickly adapted by switching to chat and email communication, which allowed them to stay connected without the need for constant meetings.
Alane was also nervous about making mistakes, especially since Ann was her second client. She wanted to make sure she could prove her worth. But as she followed Ann’s guidance and adjusted to her needs, Alane began to build confidence in her role. One major challenge turned into a win, Alane was tasked with migrating Ann’s website from WordPress to Builderall, a new platform that Ann had recently adopted.
While Alane had little experience with website management, she quickly learned the new platform, relying on tutorial videos to guide her through the process. The migration was successful, and Alane gained valuable technical skills that would prove essential for the business moving forward. This was just the beginning of her growth as a Filipino VA, she was learning fast and becoming a vital asset to Ann’s business.
Alane’s Achievements: From Freelancer to Homeowner
While Alane’s professional growth with EVS and her client, Ann Whitaker, is a testament to her hard work, her personal achievements are equally impressive. One of Alane’s biggest milestones was the ability to invest in a house and lot, something she never imagined would be possible when she first started her career as a freelancer.
Alane shared that buying a home was a huge dream that seemed out of reach when she was just starting her virtual assistant journey. But with the consistent income and support from her role with EVS and the trust Ann placed in her, Alane was able to make that dream a reality. Although she’s still in the process of paying off the property, it stands as a powerful symbol of the financial independence and success that a stable VA career can bring.
“Being able to invest in a house is such a big achievement for me. It’s something I never imagined I’d be able to do, but now, I’m on my way to having our family’s own home. Also, I am able to help my husband with our family’s financial needs, and together, I know we are able to achieve our family’s goals sooner. All thanks to my work with EVS and the trust Ann has placed in me. This is a huge milestone in our lives, and I’m incredibly grateful.” – Alane
This personal success story adds even more depth to Alane’s journey, showing that with the right support, the Filipino VA career path can lead to both professional and financial independence.
Ann's Testimonial: Alane’s Strengths and Growth
As Ann and Alane’s partnership flourished, Ann took the time to evaluate Alane’s progress, recognising her strengths and the major wins they achieved together. Here’s what Ann had to say about Alane’s performance and her growth over time:
3 Months In
- Quality of Work: 5/6
- Job Knowledge: 4/6
- Communication: 5/6
- Productivity: 5/6
“Alane’s Canva designs have been very helpful, and she works independently within the brand guidelines. She has great initiative and is constantly improving.”
6 Months In
- Quality of Work: 6/6
- Communication: 6/6
- Productivity: 6/6
“She’s proactive and consistent. She has a great ability to manage tasks independently, and she ‘nags me nicely’ to ensure I stay on track.”
1 Year & 3 Months In
- Quality of Work: 5/6
- Productivity: 6/6
- Communication: 5/6
“Alane has been instrumental in helping me launch two full online courses. She is very creative and has the ability to work solo. Her growth has been fantastic.”
Ann’s feedback reflects not only Alane’s work ethic but also her consistent improvement. Their partnership is built on trust, and Ann values Alane’s initiative and ability to learn new skills quickly.
The Impact of EVS: Continuous Training and Growth for Virtual Assistants
Alane’s growth isn’t just reflected in her client wins. Through EVS, she received consistent training, guidance, and support to help her build her skills. As a VA with no prior experience, Alane’s story is a testament to EVS’s commitment to developing talented VAs regardless of their background.
“Thank you, EVS, for believing in my potential. Even though I lacked experience, you didn’t give up on me. The internship training was incredibly helpful in giving me the skills I needed. I also appreciate the monthly training sessions that help us stay up-to-date with trends and new tools. Most importantly, the consistent communication and the opportunity to connect with Francesca every month have kept me motivated.” – Alane Grancho
Ann and Alane’s Partnership: Building a Thriving Wellness Business Together
Through their partnership, Ann’s business has flourished. As a Beauty coach, Ann’s business is about empowering women over 40 to rediscover their confidence and embrace their identity. But for Ann to reach more women, she needed consistent support, support that Alane provided from day one.
From managing social media posts and course creation to client follow-ups and website management, Alane has been instrumental in scaling Ann’s business. And as a result, Ann has been able to focus on her core mission, helping more women transform their lives.
With Alane’s help, Ann has seen:
- A fully booked course launch in August 2024
- Social media engagement soar, with one Facebook reel hitting over 1 million views
- A streamlined website migration, moving from WordPress to Builderall
- Client communication via chat and email improving the workflow
Why Ann and Alane’s Story Matters to You
Ann’s story, paired with Alane’s achievements, shows how delegation and teamwork can help a business scale without burning out. Ann’s partnership with Alane has allowed her to focus on what she does best, helping her clients reclaim their confidence, while Alane supports her through administrative tasks, social media management, and technical challenges.
For wellness coaches, image consultants, or any business owner in the beauty and wellness space, Ann and Alane’s journey is a reminder that the right VA can make a huge impact on your business. With the right support, you can achieve personal and professional growth.
Book a Call Today
Are you ready to scale your wellness business? Book a call with our team to explore how a VA can help you grow your business with consistency and success.
Want the same for your wellness business?
They chose Empowering Virtual Solution (EVS) because they wanted someone:
- Trained, not transactional
- Supported by a team, not left alone
- Vetted and matched to their exact needs
And now, they have the time, rhythm, and support to scale without burning out.
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