They Loved Freelancing - Until They Found Something Better
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Written by:
Filip Pesek
- Published:
For years, freelancing was the dream.
Work from anywhere. Be your own boss.
Hand-pick your clients. Charge your worth.
And for a while, it worked… until the invisible costs started piling up.
The late-night proposals. The constant chasing of payments. The feeling that you’re running a full-time marketing agency just to keep your calendar half-full. The isolation. The pressure. The unpredictability of it all.
More and more elite freelancers (especially executive assistants and operations-minded professionals) are quietly opting out of the solo grind.
Not to give up their freedom, but to reclaim their focus and build something with structure, support, and a long-term future. They’re not going back to 9-to-5s. They’re going forward—to companies like DonnaPro.
From “Freedom” to Fragility
On paper, freelancing still looks like the dream – especially for high-performing professionals. If you’re sharp, know how to negotiate, and are willing to grind, you can absolutely earn more than most agency or company roles.
But more and more assistants are realizing: that “extra” income often comes at a steep cost.
Because you’re not just doing your work – you’re doing all the work around the work.
That includes:
- Sales funnels and outreach
- Invoicing and follow-ups
- Client vetting
- Contract management
- Endless “alignment” calls
No paid holidays. No sick days. No backup. No team.
The hours you bill are only a fraction of the hours you work. And every client becomes a startup you’re expected to stabilize – with no infrastructure to catch you if things wobble.
It’s not that freelancing is broken. It’s that the full weight of independence often breaks the very people who sought it in the first place.
The DonnaPro Countermodel
Enter DonnaPro – a European-based executive assistant agency built specifically for remote professionals who are great at their craft but tired of doing everything else.
At DonnaPro, executive assistants still work remotely. They still operate with autonomy and creativity. But they no longer have to chase clients, negotiate scope, or carry the weight of entrepreneurship on their shoulders.
Instead, they join a team that was built for them – not just with them in mind.
Here’s what’s different:
Most Jobs Come with a Description. This One Comes with a Direction.
At DonnaPro, growth isn’t a perk – it’s part of the job.
From day one, every EA knows exactly where they stand – and what it takes to level up. Clear KPIs. Transparent compensation paths. Milestones that aren’t vague, but visible.
When you meet the expectations at DonnaPro, you’re not just coasting – you’re contributing meaningfully and enjoying the ride.
But when you go beyond what’s expected, the path opens up fast: performance-based bonuses, expanded responsibilities, and opportunities to move into leadership roles like Quality Manager, Account Manager, or even Operations Lead.
To keep growth intentional, every Donna sets her PPF Goals – Personal, Professional, and Financial – and shares them with the internal mentorship team. This isn’t a feel-good exercise or a box to check. It’s one of the most important drivers of personal and career growth, rooted in a simple belief: when people see how their goals can be achieved within the company they work for, everything improves – motivation, performance, and long-term alignment.
Training Isn’t a Phase—It’s a System
Unlike the plug-and-play mentality of many remote agencies, DonnaPro invests heavily in its people.
All assistants – despite being highly skilled when they join – go through the DonnaAcademy, a structured onboarding program that spans 20 days. It’s fully paid by the company and never treated as an unpaid or “figure-it-out-yourself” experience.
The first 10 days are dedicated to internal training, including five foundational books that align new team members with the expectations, pace, and mindset required to succeed in high-level support roles. The following 10 days focus on hands-on simulation work, where assistants engage with real business challenges-without yet working with clients-allowing them to build confidence and sharpen instincts in a safe, feedback-rich environment.
Throughout the process, they’re coached, challenged, and supported-ensuring they’re not just ready to begin, but ready to excel.
It’s Working: Quiet Results, Real Impact
DonnaPro doesn’t make noise for the sake of it. But its results speak loudly:
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 ⭐ on Google
- 91% of clients stay after 60-day trial period
- Media features across platforms including European Business Review, Vocal Media, and BuzzFeed
Majority of clients stay. Majority of assistants stay.
The model works—because it’s built to serve humans first, not just KPIs.
After a long time managing everything on my own in the startup world, I realized I needed help. My EA has been amazing in managing my calendar, travel plans, T&E, and other small yet time-consuming tasks. We had morning check-ins at the beginning that paid off well. Now, I can much better focus on growing the business.
I used to manage my own travel, emails, and calendar-even while running multiple businesses. Then my EA (Romina) stepped in. She’s proactive, reliable, and keeps everything running smoothly without me having to ask. Our daily check-ins keep me on top of things, and her inbox summaries are a lifesaver when I’m traveling. I finally have the headspace to focus on what matters.
My EA, Petra, has been very helpful during a particularly chaotic time in one of my businesses. With minimal guidance, she quickly adapted, proactively started searching for solutions, and delivered results. I love how I can just ping her on WhatsApp, and things get done seamlessly.
My EA doesn’t just complete tasks; she proactively identify and solve potential issues before they become problems. Whether it’s a scheduling conflict or a looming deadline, my EA is always one step ahead, saving me countless headaches.
Hiring a Donna EA has been incredibly cost-effective. Instead of multiple full-time employees for various tasks, my EA handles everything efficiently. The savings have allowed us to reinvest in other critical areas. It’s the perfect solution for top-notch support without breaking the bank.
Hiring a Donna EA has been incredibly cost-effective. Instead of multiple full-time employees for various tasks, my EA handles everything efficiently. The savings have allowed us to reinvest in other critical areas. It’s the perfect solution for top-notch support without breaking the bank.
Saga adapted quickly to a new country, industry, and way of working—impressive, especially since I’m new to working with an assistant. She brings real care to everything she does, and I genuinely see long-term potential. She’s quickly become a key part of how I work day to day.
Before DonnaPro, our internal reporting was a mess of spreadsheets. Our assistant didn’t just take over the task; she proactively designed and implemented a new, streamlined system that saved us hours each week. She didn’t just do the work—she fundamentally improved the process for everyone. That’s a level of value I did not expect.
The real benefit wasn’t just getting tasks off my plate; it was finally being able to take a proper vacation without checking my phone every 30 minutes. The peace of mind that comes from knowing things are being handled intelligently and proactively is priceless. For the first time in years, I could completely disconnect, which has been crucial for preventing burnout.
We were at a point where we had to turn down new projects because I was completely bogged down by administrative bottlenecks. Bringing on our assistant through DonnaPro was the key to unlocking our growth. Sophie’s support directly enabled us to take on three new clients in the first quarter alone. She isn’t just an assistant; she’s a direct contributor to our scalability.
“You’re Remote, But You’re Never Alone”
Remote work often comes with a quiet tradeoff: freedom in exchange for isolation. Many freelancers and remote professionals find themselves navigating complex challenges alone – without backup, feedback, or a second set of eyes.
DonnaPro flips that model on its head.
Every assistant is surrounded by an intentional support system. There’s a dedicated Quality Manager to ensure standards stay high, an Account Manager to serve as a strategic sounding board, and an IT team that solves problems fast – so tech never becomes a bottleneck.
And then there’s the private EA community: a space where Donnas gather to share insights, troubleshoot sticky situations, and connect with peers who understand the nuances of their role.
So when challenges arise (and they always do), Donnas don’t spiral or stall. They don’t freeze in indecision. They get coached, supported, and pushed to grow – surrounded by people who want to see them win.
A Founder Who Designed It Differently
DonnaPro wasn’t built by HR consultants – it was architected by Filip Pesek, a bestselling author and marketing agency owner who hired his first assistant at age 22.
After years of experimenting with delegation, he realized most founders weren’t just struggling to hire executive assistants. They were struggling to find ones who were properly trained, genuinely supported, and set up for long-term success.
Even worse?
Most assistant agencies weren’t built for CEOs at all. They lumped in everyone – pastors, hobby bloggers, solo creatives – into the same assistant pool.
So Filip built DonnaPro from the ground up for one specific avatar:
The fast-moving founder and/or CEO who needs elite support – consistently, and at scale.
And in doing so, he created a career platform for high-level assistants who were tired of doing it all alone.
DonnaPro is always looking for the next top 1% assistant to join the team.
Explore the current openings and see if you’re the right fit.
Same Freedom. Different Future.
Freelancing may still be a fit for many – but if you’re a high-performing assistant ready for something more sustainable, structured, and growth-oriented?
This might be the shift you didn’t know you were ready for.
Your call.
