From Grit to Growth: Andy Kowalski on Real Estate, Resilience, and Building BeyondBizVA

The Path from Real Estate Hustle to Virtual Assistant Empire

When Andy Kowalski started in real estate at just 26, he had no mentor, limited resources, and a market teetering on the edge of collapse. Yet, that didn’t stop him from forging a path that would eventually lead to the founding of BeyondBizVA, a company that provides tailored virtual assistant services to entrepreneurs and real estate professionals.

The early days of Andy’s real estate journey were a rollercoaster. Booming sales in 2006–2007 gave way to the Great Recession. Without the fallback of social media or modern fintech tools, Andy relied on an unconventional reserve: gold bars. While others lost everything, he pawned his investments strategically to fund his marketing and bills, showing the resilience of a true entrepreneur.

His experience taught him one vital lesson: adaptability wins. And that principle is now baked into the DNA of BeyondBizVA.

Why Andy Founded BeyondBizVA

Fast-forward to just a few years ago, Andy encountered a problem familiar to many real estate professionals: inefficient, unsupported virtual assistant services. He had invested thousands in agencies that failed to deliver support or guidance.

Instead of settling, Andy saw an opportunity.

He built systems, created training protocols, and established what would become BeyondBizVA—a virtual assistant service built by a real estate pro for real estate pros. It wasn't just about outsourcing. It was about integrating high-caliber virtual assistants into client operations, enabling business owners to scale with confidence.

The Case for Hiring Filipino Virtual Assistants

When you hire Filipino VAs, you're not just cutting costs—you’re tapping into a globally respected talent pool known for loyalty, strong English communication, and technical proficiency. Andy’s model champions these professionals by aligning them with small business owners across industries, particularly real estate.

Let’s compare: a US-based director of operations may cost $75,000/year. A Filipino virtual assistant with equivalent (or better) skills? $10,000–$15,000/year.

That’s a $60,000 annual savings that can be reinvested into lead generation, client appreciation campaigns, or social media content creation.

From Social Media to CRM: What VAs Actually Do

Andy’s team doesn’t stop at admin work. His virtual assistants handle:

• CRM management and client follow-ups
• Transaction coordination
• Social media scheduling and branding
• Content creation including video editing for reels, shorts, and stories
• AI-assisted tasks like ChatGPT support

This is more than basic delegation. It’s strategic business support. And that’s what defines a high-caliber virtual assistant.

BeyondBizVA’s team helps clients build out their brand bible—defining colours, logos, voice, and values across digital channels to maintain consistency and stand out in competitive markets.

Why Real Estate Professionals Need a Shift in Mindset

Many realtors view themselves as just an extension of their brokerage. Andy urges them to flip that script. “You are your business,” he says. “You should have your own CRM, email, branding, and operational systems that move with you—brokerage or not.”

He’s also a firm advocate of client appreciation: from Thanksgiving pie drop-offs to birthday emails, his CRM, powered by VAs, keeps those personal touches intact.

Market Volatility and the Agent Exodus

Andy notes a concerning trend—agents leaving the field due to market stagnation, rising rates, and media-driven fear. Many are returning to second jobs or leaving real estate altogether.

But with smarter tools, including virtual assistant services, agents can operate more efficiently, serve clients better, and stay afloat even in challenging climates.

Small Brokerages, Big Opportunity

Andy has worked with both giant brokerages and nimble independent firms. His verdict? Small is better—especially when combined with smart staffing like VAs.

Larger agencies often extract high fees without delivering modern, scalable value. Meanwhile, boutique brands like Opus Elite (where Andy now collaborates) allow him to lead with integrity, community engagement, and profit retention.

Advice for Real Estate Professionals

Andy’s top advice:

• Own your client database with independent CRMs
• Avoid becoming too reliant on broker-owned tools or emails
• Hire a Filipino VA early—it’s more affordable than most expect
• Focus on core values and long-term relationships over short-term commissions
• Embrace content creation to build trust and visibility

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between a general VA and a high-caliber virtual assistant?

A high-caliber VA is trained in business-specific tools, processes, and strategies. They are proactive, skilled in branding, social media, CRM systems, and often familiar with tools like ChatGPT and Canva.

Q2: Why hire a Filipino VA instead of a local assistant?

Filipino VAs offer top-tier performance at a fraction of the cost. They’re fluent in English, culturally adaptable, and extremely reliable—making them ideal for real estate and small business support.

Q3: What’s the onboarding process at BeyondBizVA like?

BeyondBizVA provides SOPs, KPIs, and a structured onboarding process. Clients are matched with vetted assistants and receive ongoing support to ensure success.

Q4: Is there a guarantee?

Yes. BeyondBizVA offers a 60-day guarantee. If the VA isn’t a fit within the first few weeks, clients can request a replacement.

Q5: Can virtual assistants handle social media strategy?

Absolutely. BeyondBizVA’s VAs handle everything from content creation and scheduling to understanding Meta and Google algorithms for effective SEO and PPC campaigns.