Maartje Arts on the power of a VA: flexibility and expertise

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I have a broad background and chose to study Communications because I wasn’t yet sure which direction I wanted to take. Through various jobs, I gradually discovered where my interests lay, which eventually led me into the IT world.

At Nestlé, I worked on an international application implementation, where I tested workflows and provided training. Later, at De Persgroep, I managed IT platforms aimed at developers and IT professionals. I also supported advertisers from industries like consumer electronics, retail, gaming, government, automotive, and education.

At Randstad, I mainly worked as an editor for print materials. After that, I joined Publicis as a digital project manager, where I was responsible for developing landing pages, applications, and platforms for an international car brand and government clients.

After wrapping up a project for a medical app, I was ready for a new challenge. I found exactly what I was looking for at Moneypenny: more ownership and the freedom to apply my skills in my own way.

Can you tell us a bit about the clients you support and what you do for them?

For an organization in Amsterdam, I manage the IT side of subsidized projects and work on optimizing their internal processes. At a nonprofit, I support a marketing role and collaborate with major retailers and brands. I manage campaigns and deliver content to designers for various outputs, like digital brochures.

For a tech industry training institute, I assist the founder with calendar management, social media, and online events. My most recent client is a software company where I provide help desk support for their newsletter applications.

The mix of IT and support tasks is what makes my work as a VA so interesting. I get to apply my technical expertise while also contributing on a strategic level.

What skills have you developed since joining Moneypenny?

Since working with Moneypenny clients, I’ve not only honed my skills but also become more intentional about how I apply my expertise. With my IT background, I’ve noticed that many people have limited knowledge of digital systems. I enjoy guiding them through it and offering simple solutions. For example, when I build a SharePoint site and the client gets really excited—that’s instant satisfaction.

I also increasingly see my role as a true partnership. I pick things up quickly, work independently, and make sure clients don’t have to explain everything in detail. Because of that, I now deliberately focus on projects where I can advise clients and bring ideas to the table that they might not have thought of themselves.

What’s your experience with remote collaboration?

That really depends on the client. Some I speak to less frequently, while with others I’m in touch every week via chats or quick messages. It’s important to take the initiative to stay connected with clients. On many assignments, I also work with other VAs. Sometimes we schedule working sessions via Teams to brainstorm and bounce ideas off each other.

In the end, I don’t find remote work isolating. There are plenty of ways to stay connected with colleagues and clients. It’s all about finding the right balance between work and personal life—and being intentional about building those connections.

What makes working as a VA so enjoyable?

“It gives me the flexibility to be fully committed to my clients and fully present for my family.”

The variety in assignments keeps me motivated. I couldn’t do the same thing for 40 hours a week—it would drain me. As a VA, I get to take on different types of work and adapt it to what suits me best.

It’s also the perfect fit with my personal life. I don’t have to choose between my kids and my career. I can combine my work with other responsibilities and don’t have to send my children to daycare five days a week.

How do you experience the support from Moneypenny?

“The support from Moneypenny is fantastic. I’m responsible for my own work, but I always know there’s a team I can turn to if something comes up.”

As a VA, you’re often a middleman. Sometimes it helps to have a neutral party provide feedback to a client—it can really benefit the collaboration. I regularly check in with the Moneypenny team, sometimes just to catch up or talk things through. If there’s ever an issue, it’s addressed immediately. The lines of communication are short—a quick message or call usually does the trick.

What I appreciate most is that you’re not alone as a VA. It’s really the best of both worlds: you work independently, but there’s always a safety net when you need it.