Virtual Excellence Academy

Stop looking for a job. Start thinking about what you already know.

We hear it every single day at Remote Work Europe: "Can you help me find a remote job?" And we get it – the instinct is to look for someone to hire you, the way it's always worked. But the reality of remote work in 2026 is different. The best opportunities aren't advertised on job boards. They're created by people who package what they already know and offer it directly to businesses that need it.

Stop thinking about 9-to-5 employment for a moment. Think instead about what you know, what you love doing, what comes easily to you while others find it hard. That's not a hobby – that's a service someone will pay for.

You don't need to retrain. You need to repackage.

The other question we get constantly is "What should I learn so I can become a digital nomad?" – and people expect us to say "learn to code" or "get a UX certification." But here's the truth: nobody is going to pay you for something you just learned last month. They're going to pay you for the thing you've been doing for years, the thing you're genuinely good at.

The trick is figuring out how to package that expertise, bring it to the right clients, and price it properly. That's exactly what Hannah Dixon and the Virtual Excellence Academy help you do – and they've helped over 40,000 people do it successfully.

If you're looking for your first remote role and you don't have a background in software engineering or product design, the VA and online freelancing route is the most accessible entry point. You're packaging skills you already have – organisation, communication, research, admin, social media, bookkeeping – and offering them as a service to businesses that need help.

The demand is real and growing. Small businesses, coaches, agencies, and entrepreneurs need operational support, and they increasingly don't care where that support is based. What they care about is reliability, communication, and professionalism – exactly the soft skills that set remote workers apart.

The range of services you can offer as a VA or freelancer is enormous – and you can start with what you already know:

The barrier to entry is low – you need a laptop, a stable internet connection, and a willingness to learn. No degrees or certifications required. What matters is showing up, delivering quality work, and building relationships with clients who value what you do.

Start here: Freelance Foundations

If you're not ready to commit to the full programme, Freelance Foundations is the perfect entry point. For just $37, this self-paced course walks you through everything you need to go from "I'm thinking about freelancing" to "I have a packaged offer and know how to find clients."

You'll learn how to:

• Identify the services you can offer based on your existing skills and passions
• Build a compelling profile to attract clients
• Set rates and negotiate contracts with confidence
• Package what you do and present it in a competitive marketplace
• Reach out to potential clients and market your services effectively

There's no fluff or filler – it's packed with value, works around your schedule, and offers practical guidance every step of the way. Thousands of people have used this course as their launchpad into freelance life.

Get Freelance Foundations for $37 →

What the Virtual Excellence Academy offers

Beyond Freelance Foundations, the VEA is a comprehensive training ecosystem designed to take you from first steps to a thriving, scalable freelance business:

Who this is for

The VEA is designed for people who want to build a flexible, location-independent freelance career – whether that means working from home, travelling as a digital nomad, or relocating to a new country.

It's especially relevant if you're:

• Looking for your first remote role and don't know where to start
• Wanting to transition from employment to freelancing
• Building towards a digital nomad visa income threshold – VA work at entry level qualifies for Albania, Montenegro, and Georgia, and experienced VAs/OBMs can reach the thresholds for Spain, Croatia, and beyond
• Already have admin, organisational, or creative skills but haven't thought of selling them as a service

Why we recommend Hannah's training

Hannah Dixon has been doing this for over a decade – long before "digital nomad" was a mainstream term. She built the Digital Nomad Kit brand from genuine experience running her own VA business, and the VEA reflects that practitioner knowledge rather than theoretical advice.

What sets it apart from the many "become a VA" courses online is the depth: it's not just "here's how to set up a Fiverr profile." The VEA covers business fundamentals, client relationship management, pricing strategy, and the operational skills that make the difference between a side hustle that fizzles and a career that scales.

The free masterclass is a genuine taster of Hannah's teaching style and approach – worth attending even if you're not ready to invest in the full programme.

What participants say

We've been recommending Hannah's training to our community for years, and we know first-hand that she has helped many Remote Work Europe members unlock their remote careers. Here's what some of her graduates say:

How to get started

The full Virtual Excellence Academy programme only opens its doors periodically – it's not available year-round. But you don't have to wait:

• Freelance Foundations ($37) is available any time – start today, work at your own pace, and have a clear plan before the next VEA intake opens
• Free masterclasses happen a few times a year. They're the best way to experience Hannah's teaching style and decide if the full programme is right for you. We'll keep this page updated with the next date

Why is the masterclass free?

Hannah believes everyone should have the opportunity to explore whether freelancing is right for them – without a financial barrier. The free training gives you a genuine look behind the curtain: what VA work actually involves, whether it suits your skills and lifestyle, and what the realistic path to income looks like. If you decide it's for you, there are options to go deeper with the paid programmes. If not, you've lost nothing and gained practical knowledge.