The award-winning business building program for online service providers who are ready to make big impact, big money, and big dreams come true.
As featured in 
Tired of the 9-to-5. Tired of working hard and having little to show for it. Tired of being tied to one place and not listening to that niggling voice telling you this just can't be it.
And yet here you are. Still looking. Still believing there's a better way. Maybe you've tried other courses and been burned. Maybe this is your first time giving yourself this opportunity. Either way, my bet is the same...you're not short on talent. You're short on a plan.
I left home early and found myself in a relationship where I didn't feel like I had any choice. Life felt like something that was happening to me, not something I had control over.
When it got bad enough, I took what little I had and left. I traveled, working on farms, in bars, and in hostels in exchange for food and a bed, and those experiences opened my eyes to entirely new ways of thinking.
At one point, I was going home to get a "real job," but as if by fate, I met someone who showed me I could make money from a laptop, with no boss and from anywhere, and suddenly, a different kind of life felt possible.
This changed everything. I realized financial freedom could create real choice.
Piece by piece, I built a life that felt fully mine. Now, after 20 years of travel, 15 years in this space, and supporting over 45,000 others, I've seen what's possible when people take that first step.
Here's what I believe: no matter your situation or how far away your goals feel, we all deserve a life that is chosen, not just one we simply end up in.
This is here to help you make that step.
"The Virtual Excellence Academy has proven to be the best investment I've ever made"
Fernanda Delgado
Most courses give you content and leave you to figure out the rest. The VEA gives you an entire ecosystem: the training, the community, the job opportunities, and a founder who actually shows up. Everything you need to go from "thinking about it" to fully booked and stay there.
Call yourself what you like. If you assist, or intend to assist, people or businesses virtually, the VEA is your lifeline.
The VEA equips you with a comprehensive toolbox of skills, technical understanding, and a growth-oriented mindset, all while providing a lively community and exclusive job opportunities from awesome, vetted clients looking to hire from the best.
Freelancers, whether web designers, copywriters, or project managers, will not only enhance their digital service skills but also gain invaluable business intel, enabling them to level up their offerings and thrive in the company of a bountiful network.
You can stand under our umbrella. With a treasure trove of tech and professional insight, you'll gain the know-how to excel in your client-focused role, helping you shape exceptional client experiences, and ensuring your digital operations run smooth.
The VEA isn't just a course. It's a complete business-building system with lifetime community support.
Define your target audience, structure your business, and set competitive rates.
Learn networking, pitching, and onboarding strategies to attract and retain clients.
Build your brand, create impactful content, and optimize your social media profiles.
Master all industry-leading tools to work smarter and offer in-demand services.
Overcome fears, manage stress, and build the confidence needed to achieve your goals.
Join an engaged community and access exclusive job opportunities to grow your career.
Learn over 32+ in-depth tools-of-the-trade essential for building your freelance business Gain access to the matchmaking directory and exclusive job listing Learn from a diverse pool of teachers and guest trainers Gain immediate visibility and effectively onboard new clients Learn project management and CRM tools Learn how to make your clients LOVE you and never leave Access productivity hacks and produce beautiful reports Foster understanding of business growth and engaging content Build a strong network of kindred spirits Conduct discovery calls with confidence
"Stop applying for jobs. Start creating opportunities."Hannah Dixon, VEA Founder
Three pillars that work together to build your business and keep it growing.
The VEA isn't just a course. It's a complete business-building ecosystem with training, community, job opportunities, and support that stays with you for the entirety of your career.
Why this is important: This module sets the foundation for your journey by helping you navigate the program, understand its structure, and connect with the community for support and accountability.
How this will improve your freelance career: By starting with clarity and focus, you'll maximize the value of each lesson and build a strong foundation for success with a like-minded network cheering you on.
Why this is important: Being part of a supportive community and accessing exclusive job opportunities gives you a competitive edge in your freelance career. This module connects you with like-minded professionals and direct pathways to paid work.
How this will improve your freelance career: By joining the Inner Circle and leveraging DNK's matchmaking and job opportunities, you'll tap into a network designed to help you grow, find consistent work, and explore additional income-generating opportunities that set you apart from other freelancers.
Why this is important: A well-organized workspace and streamlined tools are key to boosting productivity and professionalism, allowing you to work efficiently and deliver quality results. This module also introduces essential admin skills you can confidently offer to clients.
How this will improve your freelance career: By creating a clutter-free, optimized workspace and mastering foundational tools, you'll not only enhance your own workflow but also develop skills you can promote as valuable services to clients, making you more marketable.
Why this is important: Laying a strong foundation for your business helps you understand your purpose, identify your strengths, and clarify your target audience. This clarity is the cornerstone of building a business that aligns with your goals and attracts the right clients.
How this will improve your freelance career: By defining your 'why,' identifying your ideal clients, and showcasing your unique skills, you'll create a solid business identity that resonates with clients and positions you as a confident, in-demand freelancer.
Why this is important: Understanding the legal and financial aspects of your business helps you build a solid and professional foundation. This knowledge allows you to make informed decisions that safeguard your business and income.
How this will improve your freelance career: By establishing your business legally and professionally, you'll enhance your credibility with clients, streamline your financial processes, and position yourself as a dependable and skilled freelancer.
Why this is important: Understanding pricing strategies and payment tools is crucial for building a sustainable and profitable freelance business. This module helps you confidently set your rates, get paid efficiently, and manage your income like a pro.
How this will improve your freelance career: By mastering tools like Stripe, PayPal, and Canva for invoicing, and learning how to structure your rates effectively. You'll streamline your own payment processes and gain the expertise to help clients optimize their financial workflows.
Why this is important: Creating a strong online presence through a portfolio and optimized profiles is essential for making a lasting impression on potential clients. This process not only establishes your credibility but also equips you with practical skills in digital branding and content creation.
How this will improve your freelance career: By building your own professional profiles and learning tools like Canva and Facebook Page creation and LinkedIn, you'll enhance your visibility and gain transferable skills you can offer to clients, such as social media optimization and content management.
Why this is important: Building meaningful connections and engaging with your network are critical to growing your freelance business. Learning relationship marketing techniques helps you create trust, foster collaboration, and expand your reach in the industry.
How this will improve your freelance career: By practicing impactful introductions, engaging in online communities, and leveraging tools like LinkedIn, you'll not only attract clients but also develop networking and outreach skills that you can offer as a service to help clients grow their own businesses.
Why this is important: Effective client communication is the backbone of a successful freelance business. Mastering these tools and techniques ensures that you're professional, efficient, and ready to build strong relationships with clients from the start.
How this will improve your freelance career: By learning how to use tools like Calendly, Zoom, and Slack and practicing discovery calls, you'll not only enhance your own workflow but also gain valuable communication and onboarding skills that you can offer as a service to help clients streamline their operations and connect with their customers.
Why this is important: A seamless onboarding process and effective project management are the keys to delivering a standout client experience. This module introduces essential tools and strategies to keep your work organized and communication clear while helping you build strong, lasting client relationships.
How this will improve your freelance career: Gaining proficiency in tools like HelloSign, Trello, Asana, and Dubsado will not only help you stay on top of your own business but also equip you with valuable skills to support your clients in managing their workflows, boosting efficiency, and creating an exceptional experience for their customers.
Why this is important: Creating impactful content is a powerful way to showcase your expertise, attract the right clients, and establish authority in your niche. This module breaks down essential strategies to help you create, repurpose, and manage content effectively.
How this will improve your freelance career: Learning these content creation and marketing techniques will help you elevate your visibility and credibility. These skills are highly valuable for clients who need help with their own content strategies, making you a more competitive and versatile service provider.
Why this is important: Basic graphic design skills are invaluable for creating visually appealing content that elevates your work and impresses clients. This module introduces essential tools and resources to help you design professional-quality graphics with confidence.
How this will improve your freelance career: With access to expert-led tutorials and curated resources, you'll quickly master tools like Canva, Photoshop, and Illustrator without wasting time figuring it out on your own. These skills allow you to offer graphic design services to clients, adding another layer of value to your freelance offerings if you like.
Why this is important: As a freelancer, your time is your most valuable asset. Learning how to use tools like Zapier, Airtable, and ChatGPT helps you work smarter—not harder. These modules teach you when to automate, what to delegate to AI, and how to stay ahead without burning out. It's about freeing up time so you can focus on what actually grows your business.
How this will improve your freelance career: Automation and AI can seriously level up your client work and daily systems. Whether it's managing data, generating content, or streamlining tasks, these tools make you faster, more efficient, and way more valuable. The result? Better results for clients, more headspace for you, and a freelance career that scales without the hustle.
Why this is important: As you grow in your freelance journey, diversifying your income and embracing advanced tools and strategies can help you reach new heights. This module equips you with the knowledge to expand your services, optimize your workflows, and explore high-level opportunities.
How this will improve your freelance career: By learning about additional income streams, automation tools like Zapier and Airtable, and AI-powered productivity techniques, you'll streamline your business operations and position yourself as a forward-thinking freelancer ready to take on higher-level roles and attract premium clients.
Why this is important: Showcasing your achievements with badges and a certificate helps build trust and credibility with potential clients. While not an official licensure, it demonstrates your dedication to professional development and completing training with a reputable provider.
How this will improve your freelance career: Adding DNK-approved badges and your certificate of completion to your portfolio or profiles will enhance your professional image, making you more appealing to clients who value skilled and committed freelancers.
*Please note: There is no overarching body of licensure for freelancers or Virtual Assistants. This is solely a certificate of completion from us, a reputable training provider.
Why this is important: The Livestream Replay Vault offers an ever-expanding library of expert-led sessions, packed with actionable strategies and insights. With monthly educational updates, this module ensures you're always equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to stay ahead in your freelance journey.
How this will improve your freelance career: Regular access to updated content on topics like personal branding, client retention, and ethical hiring keeps your skills sharp and relevant. These resources empower you to refine your marketing, streamline operations, and attract and retain premium clients, giving you the competitive edge to thrive in your career.
Why this is important: Having the right tools and resources at your fingertips simplifies your workflow and elevates the quality of your work. This module provides essential tools for various creative tasks, empowering you to deliver professional results across multiple mediums.
How this will improve your freelance career: This module saves you hours of research by providing access to tried-and-tested tools for copywriting, graphic design, audio, and video.
Lifetime access to a global community of 1500+ graduates. No monthly fees. Ever.
This alone would cost $100+/month elsewhere. Included for life. That's $1,200+ in annual value and learning every year. Many of our longest-standing members have called this community their business home for 8+ years.
In the past year alone, I personally met with DNK Virtual Excellence Academy students 15 times from Budapest, to Bangkok, Mexico City, NYC, Lisbon and beyond. If adventure calls you, there will be someone to share the experience with. If you're after real, actual people to support you on your VA and Freelance journey, we are your people.
These aren't scraped job boards. These are real clients, vetted for fair pay, who came to us specifically looking for VEA graduates.
The VEA doesn't stand still. Every month, we bring in award-winning industry experts to deliver live sessions on what's working right now. From AI and automation to sales psychology, LinkedIn strategy, tax optimization, and beyond.
Featured: Quarterly AI Labs with Brittany Long, an award-winning AI specialist, covering AI tools for VAs, GPT creation, scalable AI businesses, and ways to use AI to earn more.
New sessions listed every month. Your lifetime membership includes full access to the entire Replay Vault from day one.
Action-based course that WILL get you clients over 3 weeks.
Value: $179
21-Day Rapid Breakthrough Therapy to overcome limiting money beliefs.
Value: $1,500
Self-care and connection tools for a happy, healthy business.
Value: $197
On completion of all Virtual Excellence Academy modules, we'll award you with your very own DNK Certified Virtual Assistant certificate. This is a powerful way to showcase to your clients (or potential clients) that you're committed to your craft and have a support network at hand. Once you join the VEA, you'll also have access to DNK Approved VA badges you can use on your website, portfolio, or social media!
*Please note: There is no overarching body of licensure for freelancers or Virtual Assistants. This is solely a certificate of completion from us, a reputable training provider.
Most VEA students choose the Legacy Edition, and it's easy to see why. For just $400 more, get all of our specialized business building programs bundled together at one price and save over $1,000 compared to buying them separately. Everything in one place, forever. 🙌
"The Legacy Edition is much better if you plan to build your website and build a business for real, one that lasts longer than jobs you've had. If you're considering this career for the long run, you are in the right place."
Andreea Celmare — Project Manager & VEA Legacy member
Total value: $5,850+
Your investment: just $1,900
The VEA costs $1,500. Here's what our members did:
