Creating Better Opportunities: How Bobbie Racette is Changing Lives
Bobbie Racette, founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, turned her challenges into opportunities. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she struggled to find direction in her career. After losing her job as a safety technician in Calgary’s oil and gas industry, Racette faced countless rejections. She believed her identity as a queer, Indigenous woman with tattoos played a role in her job search difficulties.
In 2015, inspired by the growing freelance economy, Racette created an Upwork profile to offer virtual assistant services. Competing against workers from other countries, she faced tough conditions and had to bid low to secure jobs. Realizing there was a need for a better solution, Racette decided to start her own business. She launched Virtual Gurus in 2016, aiming to connect virtual assistants with companies needing support.
With just $300 to start, Racette quickly saw demand for her platform. In its first year, Virtual Gurus generated $300,000 in revenue. Despite working tirelessly, she faced challenges in hiring a team and securing funding. After 170 rejections, she finally received an $8.4 million CAD investment. Today, Virtual Gurus employs over 40 people and has provided work for more than 2,000 individuals in Canada and the U.S., with a focus on supporting Indigenous communities.
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