Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.

Today we are joined by Kristy Smith from Virtual Elves to chat about how offshore virtual assistants can support you in your small business.

Kristy and her team at Virtual Elves help busy entrepreneurs scale faster through virtual assistant support, without burn out or the high cost of hiring employees. Virtual Elves is an Australian-managed outsourcing agency connecting skilled Filipino virtual assistants with growing Australian businesses.

Kristy started the business over 15 years ago and Virtual Elves has become a trusted partner to hundreds of business owners who value quality, consistency, and care. She is a speaker, mentor, and strategist, sharing what she has learned about building sustainable systems, leading with empathy, and growing teams that genuinely thrive — both in Australia and the Philippines.

In this discussion we explore how the concept of a “VA” has changed over time and how businesses can now access a wide range of specialised skills from global talent, particularly in places like the Philippines. From admin and bookkeeping support through to marketing, SEO and customer service, we discuss the many ways virtual assistants can help small business owners free up their time and focus on higher value work.

We also unpack some of the common misconceptions about working with offshore team members. We discuss why expectations need to be realistic, why one person cannot do every role in your business, and why it is often better to engage multiple specialists rather than expecting a single VA to handle everything.

We also chat about why strong systems, clear processes and well written briefs are essential if you want to get the best results from any team member, whether they are local or overseas.

We also touch on some of the legal considerations that small business owners should be aware of when hiring internationally, and why working with an agency or employer of record can help reduce risk.

If you have ever wondered whether a virtual assistant could help you buy back time in your business, this episode is packed with practical insights and considerations to help you decide if it is the right step for you.

To connect with Kristy and her team you can find their website here: https://virtualelves.com.au/

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.