UDMA School Review From a Woman Who Was Able to Leave Her 9-5 Job
Meet Rachel McNab, a talented Business Transformation Specialist and the owner of Virtual Rani, who has an inspiring story about transitioning from a traditional 9-to-5 job to becoming a booked-out freelance marketing assistant. Rachel joined the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School with a desire to create a flexible career that allowed her to balance her professional ambitions with motherhood.
Her journey from overwhelmed and uncertain to confident and successful is a testament to what’s possible when you invest in the right skills and take that leap of faith. I’m thrilled to share Rachel’s story of how she built her thriving business and found the freedom she needed as a mom.
by Rachel McNab
“UDMA School was everything I had been looking for.”
Before I embarked on my journey as a freelancer, my life was a whirlwind of different jobs and constant change. I was a new stay-at-home mom who had quit her administrative job a few months prior. Before that, I had a varied career spanning corporate, hospitality, retail, food and beverage, customer service, and nonprofit sectors. Each of these roles taught me something valuable, but none of them seemed to align with the flexibility I now needed as a mother.
In the corporate world, I honed my organization and time management skills, learning to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines with precision. My time in hospitality and customer service sharpened my ability to connect with people, understand their needs, and provide tailored solutions—skills that would later become crucial in building client relationships as a freelancer. Retail taught me the importance of sales techniques and how to effectively communicate value, while working in nonprofits instilled in me a deep appreciation for mission-driven work and the impact that well-crafted messaging can have on a cause.
Despite these experiences, when I became a mom, the traditional 9-to-5 job simply stopped working for me. I needed a way to work around my daughter’s schedule, and the rigidity of a typical office job was no longer an option. Quitting my job was a tough decision, but it was necessary. I craved flexibility, and I knew that freelancing could provide that, but I wasn’t sure how to start.
Struggling to Find Direction in Marketing: My Turning Point
My interest in marketing had always been there, lingering in the background, but I had never worked directly in the field. I did spend some time in a sales office, which gave me a taste of what marketing could entail, but it wasn’t enough to build a career on. I tried watching YouTube tutorials on various marketing topics, hoping to teach myself the skills I needed, but I quickly became overwhelmed. With so much information out there, I didn’t know where to focus my time or what would be worth learning. The constant influx of information made me feel lost rather than empowered, and my confidence took a hit as a result.
That’s when I found Emily’s Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. The tipping point for me was the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup that UDMA School offered, where warm leads are shared among the community. I knew that if I could just get in front of the right people, I would be able to land clients. And that’s exactly what happened.
UDMA School was everything I had been looking for. It provided step-by-step instructions on how to perform the work, and Emily broke down each aspect of digital marketing in a way that was easy to understand. She explained what each skill could grow into and provided the terminology I needed to confidently engage in conversations with clients. The tech walkthroughs were particularly valuable. They gave me the confidence to talk to clients because I knew I could always go back and review the material if I needed a refresher.
“Emily’s approach of providing actionable steps for each topic ensured that I wasn’t just learning in theory—I was acquiring skills that I could use to start earning money right away.”
Learning Funnels and Finding Freedom: The Skills That Changed My Life
One of the most significant lessons I learned was how broad the term “marketing” really is. Before UDMA School, I had a vague idea of what marketing involved, but the course broke it down into manageable pieces. Whether it was understanding the intricacies of funnel building or learning the ins and outs of email marketing with platforms like Kajabi and ConvertKit, each module was designed to build practical skills that I could immediately apply. Emily’s approach of providing actionable steps for each topic ensured that I wasn’t just learning in theory—I was acquiring skills that I could use to start earning money right away.
After completing the course, I started offering funnel-building services using platforms like Kajabi and ConvertKit, skills I learned directly from UDMA School. Within a month, I landed two clients through the Workgroup, and now, just a short time later, I’m fully booked. I work in the evenings when my husband can take care of our daughter, who is only two years old. Balancing motherhood and freelancing is challenging, but the flexibility to work around my family’s needs makes it all worthwhile.
The freedom I now have is incredible. This summer, I took a month-long trip to the U.S. to visit family and friends. I didn’t have to ask anyone for permission or justify my trip to a boss. I simply booked the flights and did the work I needed to while I was there. That kind of freedom was something I desperately craved when I was stuck in my 9-to-5 after maternity leave, and now it’s my reality.
“Balancing motherhood and freelancing is challenging, but the flexibility to work around my family’s needs makes it all worthwhile.”
Advice for Aspiring Freelancers: Take the Leap with a Plan
Transitioning from a traditional job to freelancing wasn’t without its emotional challenges. Quitting my job was not just a financial decision; it was a leap of faith. I had to trust that I could build something sustainable on my own terms, and there were moments of doubt.
Would I be able to find clients?
Would I be able to balance work and motherhood?
These questions haunted me in the beginning, but the support and structure provided by UDMA School gave me the foundation I needed to move forward with confidence.
If you’re considering a similar path, my advice is simple: take the leap, but do it with a plan. Finding a structured learning program like UDMA School can save you from the overwhelm of trying to figure it all out on your own. Focus on building skills that are in demand, and don’t be afraid to invest in your education. The right training can open doors you didn’t even know were there.
“The journey from a stay-at-home mom to a booked-out freelancer hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step.”
⚡️Related Podcast: How to Leave Your 9-5 Job to Become a Full-time Freelance Digital Marketing Assistant with Emily Reagan #217
Listen to this Unicorns Unite Podcast episode if you’re balancing a traditional job with a freelance side gig and want more flexibility. You’ll learn how to make this transition to full-time freelancing a reality.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon
Investing in Yourself Pays Off
If you’re willing to put in the work to start your own business, I highly recommend the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. Emily gives you everything you need to succeed—all you have to do is take action. The journey from a stay-at-home mom to a booked-out freelancer hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step. Now, I not only contribute to my family’s income, but I also have the flexibility to be present in my daughter’s life, and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Connect with Rachel:
- Instagram: @virtualrani
- Website: http://www.virtualrani.com
Read Other UDMA School Student Stories:
>> Embracing Change: How I Found a Home and Thrived in Digital Marketing
>> Finding Fulfillment as a Digital Marketing Assistant
>> Upleveling Digital Marketing Skills to Provide Premium Services to Premium Clients
>> From Corporate Finance to Small Business Consultant
Not a course. A collective for marketers already doing the work.
Our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup is a vetted peer community where marketing specialists get real business support and talk shop with people who actually get it. Applications are open now ⬇️
The Takeaway: UDMA School gave Rachel more flexibility and time with her family
Rachel went from feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of marketing to confidently offering high-demand services like funnel building and email marketing. UDMA School gave her the skills, support, and community she needed to launch a thriving business that fits her life as a mom. Most importantly, it gave her the courage and the tools to finally leave her 9-to-5 job behind—a job that no longer aligned with her needs as a mother.
Now, she’s fully booked, traveling when she wants, and spending more time with her family—all while running a successful freelance business on her own terms. If you’re ready to take control of your career and embrace the freedom that comes with being a digital marketing assistant, enroll in UDMA School today. Don’t let fear hold you back—invest in yourself, gain the skills you need, and start building the flexible, fulfilling business you’ve always dreamed of. 🦄
-Emily, Digital Marketing Consultant and Implementer
Emily Reagan is a mom of four, board game pro, freelance digital marketer and Marketing Assistant Mentor who has helped over 450 go-getters, including military spouses, stay-at-home moms, and professional women learn in-demand skills and find flexible remote work as digital marketing assistants and specialists. She’s shared 3,000+ job leads with her freelancer community The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup.
Ask her any questions over on IG @emilyreaganpr
“I help smart women learn the in-demand digital marketing strategies and profitable tech skills to get hired as a unicorn digital marketing assistant.“
3 ways we can work together:
1. Join the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. My signature course on digital marketing implementation will give you the confidence and teach you HOW to do the work that’s in demand and highly marketable. This is the secret weapon to getting booked out. Start learning digital marketing services and building your digital service business right now.
2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you’ll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I’ll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.
Yes, you really can work online.
Feeling overwhelmed about how to start working from home or build your own digital marketing business? Take a deep breath — you can do this!
Start with my list of 10 in-demand tasks that online business owners are constantly asking for help with. These are the exact skills clients look for when hiring a virtual assistant. Grab your free download now, update your VA toolkit, and see where you might want to grow next as you build your freelance business with confidence and purpose.
