Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bukola Oni. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bukola, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

I’ll never forget the mix of fear and excitement when I landed my first paying client. At the time, I was fresh out of my 9-5 taking all these virtual assistant courses and honestly? I had no clue what I was doing. I mean, I had the basic admin background, but terms like Trello, Canva, Asana and Clockify might as well have been another language.

Three weeks into my training, I set up an Upwork profile and started applying even though I was still figuring things out. Then one day, I saw a job post by a blogger seeking a virtual assistant. I sent her a pitch, and to my surprise, she replied. We hopped on a call, and I remember thinking, “ She’s going to realize I’m out of my depth eventually”

So I told her the truth: I’m new at this. I don’t know everything yet, but I’ll work my ass off if you give me a shot. And you know what? She hired me on the spot! For three months, I basically got paid to be trained lol. She taught me tools, systems, everything! And when I made mistakes? She corrected me without making me feel stupid.

When my first payment came, I was over the moon. That first $200 might as well have been $1,000,000 for how proud I was. That first client didn’t just give me work – she gave me confidence, and it wasn’t just money it was proof that kindness creates loyalty, and extending grace builds better partnerships.

Now, years later, kindness and commitment are still my non-negotiables. I don’t just manage accounts or complete tasks. I show up for my clients like she showed up for me, fully invested in their success. Because someone once gave me room to grow when all I had was willingness to learn, a great attitude… and a lot of doubts.

Bukola, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Bukola Oni, a Nigerian virtual assistant and founder of The Virtual Assistant Forte. My journey into remote work wasn’t planned, it was God’s hand redirecting my path.

When I moved to Abuja after my wedding in 2021, I had to resign from my job in admin and customer service roles. I was excited to start fresh in the capital city, certain bigger opportunities awaited. I began applying even before relocating. But then… nothing! For a whole year, not one interview, just silence. I’ll never forget how that made me feel. I kept myself busy with my side hustle selling fashion accessories, but I missed my old job, the fast-paced environment, the challenges, that feeling of being in my element.

Then one day, I saw a Facebook post about virtual assistance! I was like wait…. I could do this work I miss so much but remotely? Then I researched more, prayed about it, and felt this quiet certainty growing inside. I remember discussing it with my husband but at the time, remote work wasn’t widely accepted in Nigeria, and I had doubts. Would it be sustainable? Would companies trust someone they’d never meet in person? But my husband encouraged me to take the chance. So I enrolled in courses to refine my skills and prepare for the digital workspace.

My first breakthrough came on Upwork, where I landed my first paying gig. That single opportunity was the game-changer, it proved that my vision was not only possible but profitable. From there on, my confidence grew. But I didn’t stop there. Through further research, I realized that being a freelancer wasn’t my only option. I could scale beyond solo gigs and build a full-fledged business!

In July of 2023, I founded my business The Virtual Assistant Forte, helping overwhelmed business owners with all the administrative stuff they hate doing or just don’t have time for.

What I Actually Do

I handle the boring (but super important) tasks that make business owners want to pull their hair out. Tasks like:

Email & calendar management
Document organization & data entry
Customer Support
Social media management
Research & report preparation
Email marketing support

The Stuff I’m Really Proud Of
This journey has gifted me a lot of proud moments that makes the hustle worthwhile:

That surreal transition from “Can this even work?” to actually running a business in less than a year.
That “YES!” moments when I finally figured out a new tool after struggling for days.
The time I got hired to manage an entire company’s admin remotely after starting with a small trial task.
Every time a client says ‘Thank you Bukola for all you do for me and my business’ I live for those proud moments!

What Makes Me Different
At my core, I believe great support isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about humanity. While many VAs focus solely on tasks, I bring mindful presence to every interaction. Clients often tell me they feel truly seen not just serviced. It’s that quiet intuition that notices when you’re overwhelmed before you say it, or remembers how you prefer things done without being reminded. My approach blends sharp administrative skills with something rarer: the willingness to care as much about you and your business as you do.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Honestly? Referrals by a long shot. Happy clients who’ve felt the difference in how I work end up becoming my biggest advocates. That said, I don’t just wait for word-of-mouth. I do intentional outreach when I have capacity, usually through warm, personalized messages . But referrals? That’s my biggest source, nothing beats trust that’s already been earned.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

What really makes the difference are those small, thoughtful touches that show I genuinely care. I make it a point to remember personal details about my clients and things that matters to them like birthdays, even little things they mention in passing or checking in just to see how they’re doing. It’s about showing up as a real person who values them, not just as a service provider. That human connection is what’s helped me build true loyalty over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thevaforte.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevaforte/
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/bukola.oni.142/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bukola-oni-42b224187/