Startup Operations & Business Development Assistant

I am looking for a proactive, trustworthy, and organized Filipino Virtual Assistant to help me launch and grow a new U.S.-based back-office support business.

The company will provide remote administrative support to small service businesses in the United States. Services may include customer email support, appointment scheduling, customer follow-up, invoicing assistance, CRM updates, spreadsheets, and file organization.

This is an early-stage startup role. I need someone who can research, organize, create simple systems, and complete tasks without needing detailed instructions for every step. I also value someone who is patient and can explain tools and processes clearly in simple steps.

Main Responsibilities

• Research competing VA and back-office support companies
• Compare their services, pricing, target clients, and positioning
• Research promising small service-business markets
• Help develop clear service packages and pricing
• Build accurate lists of potential U.S. clients
• Organize prospects in Google Sheets or a simple CRM
• Research business contact information using legal and ethical methods
• Draft personalized outreach and follow-up messages
• Organize Google Drive folders, documents, and spreadsheets
• Research simple and affordable business software
• Help create checklists, templates, workflows, and standard procedures
• Assist with basic website copy and business materials
• Track leads, responses, completed work, and next steps
• Provide a clear weekly progress report with recommendations
• Help recruit additional VAs after paying clients are secured

Ideal Candidate

• Has experience supporting a startup, agency, entrepreneur, or small business
• Has lead-generation, prospect-research, or business-development experience
• Strong research and organizational skills
• Strong written and spoken English
• Comfortable using Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, Canva, ChatGPT, and similar tools
• Able to create organized lead lists, spreadsheets, and follow-up systems
• Can work independently while asking questions when necessary
• Patient and able to explain technology in simple steps
• Honest, dependable, resourceful, and detail-oriented
• Comfortable suggesting improvements instead of only waiting for instructions
• Interested in a long-term opportunity as the company grows

Experience with CRM systems, service businesses, agency operations, cold outreach, or simple website setup is a plus.

Work Arrangement

• Part-time: approximately 10 hours per week
• Starting pay: $5 USD per hour
• Two-week paid trial
• Flexible working schedule
• Some availability for communication during California business hours
• Opportunity for increased hours and higher pay based on performance and business growth

This position does not guarantee immediate full-time hours. I am looking for someone who can start small, produce high-quality work, and grow with the company.

To Apply

Please include:

1. A short introduction about yourself
2. Your startup, agency, or small-business experience
3. An example of a business you helped launch or grow
4. The specific tasks you completed and results you helped produce
5. Your lead-generation or prospect-research experience
6. Your weekly availability
7. The tools and software you know
8. A link to your résumé or portfolio
9. A short voice recording introducing yourself and describing your relevant experience
10. Confirmation that you accept the starting rate and weekly hours

Please begin your application with the words BUILD SMART so I know you carefully read the entire job post.

Please also answer:

If you were helping me launch this business and find my first three paying clients, what practical steps would you recommend during the first 30 days?

Please base your answer on your real experience and specific ideas rather than sending a generic response.