Real Trade Experience Meets Reliable Admin Support
At MGVA, I bring a rare combination of virtual assistant expertise and firsthand experience in the trades—something few admin professionals can offer. I’m not just a VA who understands business—I’m someone who’s lived the trade life, boots on the ground.
I started my career working in sawmills, wood shops, and metal shops, doing everything from loading kilns and planing lumber to sanding, finishing, and crafting custom furniture. I’ve managed teams while working beside them, giving me a true understanding of the daily challenges tradespeople face—long hours, constant coordination, tight deadlines, and non-stop multitasking.
In 2004, I co-founded Canada’s first municipal log salvaging company — helping pioneer the live edge wood industry from the ground up.
We built a new market from scratch, pushing through skepticism, recessions, and a global pandemic. I ran a successful sustainable woodworking and retail business, collaborating with major clients like Nike, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, TJX and Canadian Tire to name a few —but my roots in small business and the trades always stayed front and center.
After decades in customer service, office management, and trade-based operations, starting MGVA was a natural next step. I’ve always had a passion for organization and helping others create order from chaos. Whether it’s admin work, invoicing, booking, or customer follow-up, I know how vital those tasks are—and how easy they are to push aside when you're running a business.
That’s where MGVA comes in.
I offer remote admin support and virtual assistant services built specifically for contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, landscapers, and arborists across Ontario. Based in Parry Sound and serving clients throughout Muskoka and Ontario-wide, I provide behind-the-scenes support that keeps your business running smoothly — without the cost or commitment of hiring in-house staff.
When you work with MGVA, you work with me. Not a team. Not a rotation. Just one person who genuinely gets your world — because I’ve lived it.
Real-World Experience. Real Results.
My Approach
I know how hard it is to hand off work you've always done yourself — work you've always done your own way, on your own timeline. That's why I take the time to learn how you operate before I change a thing.
I treat every client's business with the same care I brought to my own — organized, detail-oriented, and always in the loop. No surprises. No dropped balls. No guessing what's getting done.
Just consistent, professional support that fits around how you already work, respects how you already think, and gets out of your way so you can focus on the job.
My Promise
At MGVA, I bring professional, dependable remote admin support tailored to trades and skilled service businesses across Ontario.
I understand that outsourcing admin and office work is a big step, which is why I prioritize clear communication, detailed invoicing, and secure data handling. You can count on me for consistent support that respects your time, budget, and privacy—because I treat your business like it’s my own.
I work independently but always keep you in the loop, so you’ll never have to wonder what’s being done—or if it’s getting done right.
The MGVA Advantage
When you work with MGVA, you’re not just hiring a virtual assistant for trades — you’re gaining a dedicated partner who understands the small trades business grind from the inside out. You’ll work directly with me, Melissa Gorham — someone who has spent over two decades running a trade-based small business in Ontario, wearing every hat you’re wearing right now. Here’s what sets MGVA apart:
Trade-Savvy Support
I speak your language. I know what it means when you're booked solid but still behind on invoices. I understand the urgency behind a missed estimate or a delayed material order. I’m not just guessing what your business needs—I've been there.
Reliable, Personalized Service
You get consistent, one-on-one support—not a rotating team of assistants. That means less explaining, fewer mistakes, and a smoother workflow tailored to how you operate. Your systems, your style, your goals.
More Time, Less Stress
By taking care of the admin, communication, and behind-the-scenes tasks, I help free up your time so you can focus on what matters most—serving your customers, growing your business, and maybe even taking a breather now and then.
Flexible and Scalable
Need help a few hours a week or full-time support during your busy season? No problem. My services are completely flexible, and we can adjust your package as your workload changes.
A Trusted Extension of Your Business
Think of me as your right hand—someone who’s just as invested in your success as you are. I’m here to help your business run smoother, your customers stay happier, and your work-life balance become a little more manageable.