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Salma Burney
Salma Burney is a versatile virtual assistant, producer, and entrepreneur. She founded Virtual Girl Friday in 2004 to offer administrative support to professionals. Her clients span various industries, including accounting, business development, writing, safety consulting, valuation, and nutraceuticals. In 2021, she and her husband, Mike, created and built Off Grid Adventure, a back-to-nature campground with off-grid horse boarding facilities. Connect with Salma here…
Off the Grid and Into the Wild, Salma Burney
- Contributed By: Salma Burney
Tell us a little something about your business...
Twenty years as a virtual assistant had me feeling trapped in the hustle and bustle of city life. In September 2019 I took my virtual business on the road! Me, my husband, Mike and our 2 cats went on an Eastern and Atlantic Canada plus the USA road trip for 6 months in our travel trailer. While enjoying winter in Texas we decided it was time for a drastic change. We looked for more breathing space somewhere in Canada and came across this property with 50 acres in the middle of New Brunswick. We liked what we saw and the location so we bought our new place sight unseen in January 2020. In June 2020, we traded the concrete jungle for the serenity of 50 treed acres in Anagance, New Brunswick!
We dove headfirst into sustainability, converting the farmhouse to run entirely on solar and wind power. The sun’s rays and the wind’s whispers became our constant energy sources. During the colder months, a cozy wood stove in the basement kept us warm, aided by fans that circulated the heat throughout the house.
Despite our remote location, staying connected was a breeze. Bell internet, powered by our renewable energy sources, allowed me to continue my work as a virtual assistant from anywhere.
Year one was dedicated to winterizing our new home. We insulated walls, sealed drafts, and stocked up on firewood. By year two, we were ready to share our paradise with others. Mike, a passionate rock climber and caver, had already built an adventure park on the property. We decided to turn it into a destination by creating campsites within our forest.
Thus, Off Grid Adventure was born. Our campground offered visitors a unique opportunity to experience nature firsthand, with activities like rock climbing and caving. It was a dream come true for us, a chance to live sustainably, work remotely, and share our love of the outdoors with others.
When was your lightbulb moment?
While working for clients in Hamilton, realizing that as long as I have an internet connection I can complete my client’s work anywhere, so why not work and travel from my travel trailer? So on the road I go!
What are your three words of advice?
Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. ~ I learned early on that when my clients go away on holidays or take a summer vacation, my workload decreases, and therefore, no money comes in. So, to keep the income flowing, I provided other services such as minute-taking for condominium corporations and in-person computer instruction.
Pivot ~ at the beginning of the pandemic, in-person computer instruction stopped. I jumped on providing online computer instruction. Businesses needed help with their Zoom meetings, so I learned and became a Virtual Producer.
Don’t lower your price just to get a project ~ I did and then found out it was way too much work for what I quoted. Be confident in your price for your skills.
Three words of advice...
Pivot, Diversify, Self-Confidence
Salma Burney is a versatile virtual assistant, producer, and entrepreneur. She founded Virtual Girl Friday in 2004 to offer administrative support to professionals. Her clients span various industries, including accounting, business development, writing, safety consulting, valuation, and nutraceuticals. In 2021, she and her husband, Mike, created and built Off Grid Adventure, a back-to-nature campground with off-grid horse boarding facilities. Connect with Salma here…
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”
