Virtual Gurus
Bobbie Racette is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, a talent marketplace that supports businesses by connecting them with skilled virtual assistants from Canada and the U.S. Offering a wide range of services including specialized virtual assistant roles, workflow optimization, and on-demand customer support to meet the diverse needs of businesses, Virtual Gurus is powered by advanced algorithms, machine learning, AI, and expert human insights to efficiently and effectively match assistants with clients. At the same time, the company maintains its commitment to social responsibility by creating meaningful employment opportunities for marginalized groups such as single mothers, Indigenous peoples, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and those with alternate abilities.
Bobbie was motivated to start Virtual Gurus after going through her own experience with job loss and facing the many challenges marginalized communities are confronted with in the workplace. As Bobbie puts it, “I saw an opportunity to reinvent myself and help others who face similar employment barriers. I recognized a gap in the marketplace for virtual assistants and set out to create a platform that not only provides jobs, but also empowers individuals from underrepresented communities. This drive to support others and create equitable employment opportunities led to the founding of Virtual Gurus in 2016.”
While Virtual Gurus fills a key gap in the market, starting and growing the company has come with a series of challenges.
“One of the most significant barriers was securing funding. I faced 170 rejections before finally securing the necessary investment. This experience taught me resilience and strengthened my determination to support others facing similar obstacles. Additionally, breaking into the technology sector as an Indigenous, Métis-Cree, 2SLGBTQIA+ woman presented its own set of challenges, including overcoming systemic barriers and biases.
However, these experiences fueled my commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future, both through the services offered by Virtual Gurus and my broader advocacy efforts, including sitting on the board for the TELUS Pollinator Fund and serving as Chair of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation.”