Almost sixty percent of Michelle Puccinelli's virtual assistant students are empty nesters. She didn't design it that way. They just kept showing up.Michelle runs Virtual Work Studio, a marketing agency with a training program that prepares women to work as specialized virtual assistants. When she built the program, she was thinking career changers and moms returning to the workforce. What she found was a wave of empty nesters who wanted flexible work, on their own terms, without the grind they'd left behind.The episode gets into what virtual assistant work actually looks like, what skills transfer in from careers people have already had, and what holds most business owners back from hiring one. Rick and Clancy also talk about where empty nesting and retirement get confused, and why that confusion matters when you're figuring out what comes next.Find Michelle at https://virtualworkstudio.com/ Instagram: @virtualworkstudio📖 Our book is here! The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest https://amzn.to/4rpo7rA (Amazon affiliate link)If this episode has you thinking about what work could look like from here, bring that conversation into the group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.comCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and guest introduction 02:00 Why Michelle left teaching 04:50 What a virtual assistant actually does 07:20 Why empty nesters are drawn to virtual work08:52 Empty nesting versus retirement09:52 Soft skills that make a good VA 13:00 Building connection in remote work 16:22 Getting comfortable with the tech 18:21 How graduates get matched with clients 19:40 What business owners need to know before hiring a VA 23:17 Do you need marketing experience 25:25 How to find Michelle and Virtual Work StudioWant to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethostDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).