We recently connected with Bre Cain and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bre thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Honestly, I don’t wish I’d started my business sooner because I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without going through everything that brought me here. Becoming a mom changed me in ways I never expected—it made me tougher, gave me perspective, and showed me what really matters in life.

I started my business when my kids were still young, and while it would’ve been amazing to have more time and fewer distractions, I know I wouldn’t have had the grit or the guts to do what I’ve done without motherhood shaping me. There’s something about balancing nap times, tantrums, and business calls that builds a kind of resilience you can’t fake.

If I’d started sooner, sure, I might have had more time to devote to my business, but I also think I would’ve overthought everything or played it safe. Starting when I did, as a mom with so much on my plate, forced me to show up differently. I wasn’t just doing this for me; I was doing it to create a life for my family that felt free and fulfilling.

So no, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful for the timing, the lessons, and the strength I found in the chaos.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Bre, and I help ambitious women turn their existing skills into thriving virtual assistant businesses and guide entrepreneurs to build high-performing teams so they can scale their companies sustainably. I started my business in late 2022, but my story really begins with becoming a mom. Motherhood gave me a new perspective, resilience, and the drive to create a business that works for my family and my life.

I entered the virtual assistant industry with no prior experience, booking my first client just three days after launching. Within 13 months, I went from earning $70 dollars a month to a $100K cash month, and now I teach other women how to do the same through my signature programs.

I’m the founder and CEO of The Cain Collective, which includes the VA Leadership Academy—a training program for aspiring and active virtual assistants—and ICON & Lightning, a VA agency connecting entrepreneurs with the highly skilled virtual assistants I have personally trained.

What sets me apart is my approach. I don’t just teach people to make money—I teach them to build sustainable, scalable businesses that align with their values, priorities, and the lives they want to live. For my clients, it’s not about working more hours; it’s about working smarter, build a life of freedom, and creating impact.

In the VA Leadership Academy, for example, I help women—many of whom are moms like me—position themselves as high-value strategic partners, confidently launch and grow their businesses, and create flexible, consistent income that allows them to prioritize their families.

One thing I’m most proud of is the incredible success stories from the women I’ve worked with. I’ve trained over 350 VAs, and so many of them have built businesses that truly changed their lives. I love hearing things like, “I didn’t think I had what it took, but now I’m fully booked and making more money than I ever imagined.” It’s proof that with the right tools and mindset, anyone can do this.

At the core of my work is a belief that everything can coexist—you don’t have to choose between being a great mom, building a successful business, or living the life you want. It’s about finding alignment, trusting yourself, and taking action, even when it’s messy.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients or followers to know, it’s that I see what’s possible for you—even if you don’t yet. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to your next level, I’m here for you every step of the way. I don’t like pedestals or hierarchy, we are all human to human, shoulder to shoulder, building and living our best lives!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I started building my audience on social media, I was a complete newbie, but I treated it like a skill I needed to master. I didn’t just throw content at the wall to see what stuck—I studied. I reverse-engineered what made other successful accounts magnetic and engaging, dissecting what worked and why. Then I adapted what I learned to my own voice and style.

One of the most important things I realized early on is that when you’re starting out, you have to establish credibility and authority. It’s not enough to just show up—you need to show up as someone worth paying attention to. That means sharing your knowledge, embodying what you’re teaching, and being consistent in how you present yourself and your brand.

Here’s my favorite advice: ask yourself what you enjoy consuming on social media. What kinds of posts grab your attention and make you stop scrolling? What accounts do you love following, and why? Then, do that! People overcomplicate social media all the time, but it’s really about three things:

ONE: Catching attention – Your content needs to make someone stop their scroll. This could be through a bold statement, a compelling story, or a visually interesting post.

TWO: Establishing authority and resonance – Once you have their attention, show them why they should trust you. Share value, expertise, or a relatable moment that makes them think, “This person gets it.”

THREE: Inviting the next step – Whether it’s asking them to comment, send a DM, join your email list, or buy something, always give them a clear action to take next.

I always write my content with the end in mind. What do I want my audience to feel? What do I want them to do after reading or watching? When you start there, creating content becomes so much easier.

Another skill that has been absolutely key is copywriting. It’s not just about listing features of what you offer—it’s about selling the future. Paint a picture of what’s possible for your audience and invite them to step into it.

I think social media is one of the most amazing tools for building a business. It’s free marketing, and it has the power to open doors you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. I’m living proof of that! You don’t have to be perfect or polished to start; you just need to show up with value, clarity, and the intention to serve your audience.

So, if you’re just starting out, treat social media like the gift it is. Dedicate yourself to learning, focus on serving your audience, and remember: it’s not about being fancy—it’s about being real, relatable, and intentional. That’s what will build your audience and your brand over time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A huge lesson I had to unlearn was how to be a traditional student. In school, we’re taught to sit quietly, read textbooks, absorb theory, and regurgitate it for a grade. But that’s not how the real world works, especially when you’re building a business.

I had to teach myself how to learn by doing. And let me tell you—it’s messy. It’s trying things before you feel ready, hearing “no” more times than you can count, and failing over and over again until something finally clicks. I had to unlearn the idea that you need to be perfectly prepared or know all the answers before you take action.

I recently heard a quote that said something like, “The most successful people are the ones who fail the most.” That hit me because it’s so true. Our education system doesn’t teach us that. It teaches us to play it safe, study the theory, and avoid mistakes. But in the real world, the only way to get better is to actually get in the ring, take the punches, and keep showing up.

For me, it meant learning a new skill or concept and immediately practicing it, even if I knew I’d suck at first. And let me tell you, I did suck a lot in the beginning! But the more I allowed myself to mess up, the more I improved. I realized that every “failure” was actually a step forward because it taught me something new.

This mindset shift has completely changed how I approach life and business. Instead of fearing failure, I see it as a necessary part of the process. If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying hard enough.

Looking back, learning by doing has paid off in ways I never could’ve imagined. It’s helped me build a business, grow my confidence, and tackle challenges I never thought I’d be able to handle. And honestly, it’s so much more rewarding than just sitting in a classroom studying theory. Real growth happens when you’re willing to get messy, make mistakes, and keep going anyway.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.breannacain.com/hangwithbre/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breannabart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bookedoutwithbre
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booked-out-with-bre/id1711243811

Image Credits

Missy Jones