economic crisis

John Miles – Virtually Assisting VA’s in Economic Crisis – How Optimate and iWorker Aid Talent in Distress (AoL 170)

With the coronavirus outbreak, working remotely is starting to become a normal trend. In fact, I’d say it’s moved the timeline up by 5 years or more until we see a lot more remote workers. However, not all virtual workers are from first world countries where being able to work remotely is considered a perk. Instead, they reside in countries where they might be in the middle of long term economic crisis. They have learned how to become virtual assistants or VA’s so that they can bring in money than they’d get paid in their home country.

To help those folks, today’s guest, John Miles, and his partners at iWorker and Optimate, have built a network of VA’s around the globe. These aren’t just any VA’s, though. They are VA’s who actually are usually more than capable to handle what us solopreneurs would throw at them. In fact, a lot of them have degrees in the work that they do.

In this interview with John, we find out why he and his partners felt they needed to start down this path and who might benefit from hiring from those in the network.



  • What’s John’s history in business and as an entrepreneur before starting iWorker and Optimate? 9:48
  • What are some questions people need to consider before they bring on a VA or hire locally? 23:22
  • Due to what his various brands do as social enterprises, has John considering making them B-Corp’s? 31:19
  • Which countries are iWorker and Optimate targeting in finding VAs to work with? 35:44
  • How can people support what John and his co-founders are up to without hiring a VA? 38:09
  • Is there anything exciting for John coming up in 2020? 43:30
  • Who are three influencers he follows regularly? 44:48
  • Who would be someone John would get starstruck by interviewing? 47:19
  • What new habit has recently improved his life? 47:40
  • What costs less than $100 that has changed John’s life? 48:39
  • Is there something he believed when he was 18 but doesn’t today? 49:14
  • What’s a tip for traveling John has? 50:01
  • How can someone be a difference maker in their community? 50:40




Chris Ducker on Hiring a VA

Chris on Why VAs aren’t a Magic Pill

John on the High-Octane Mechanics Show

John’s interviewed by Yaro Starak

Thanks for Listening!






A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!


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