Job SummaryWe're looking for a Business Development Associate who's goal will be to help us break into 3 new industries with viable service offerings for our virtual assistant (VA) business.- You'll need to go deep into market research, spot patterns, and discover work companies would be willing to delegate to a managed VA team.- We're starting lean, moving fast, and expecting sharp results. If you're excited to dig into new spaces and deliver strategic insights that matter, keep reading.Compensation : $500-$600/month for a 2-month contract. If you prove value, we'll be happy offer bonuses.Key Responsibilities :- Conduct market research to identify and evaluate at least 3 new industries that could benefit from our VA services- Map out pain points, competitive gaps, and potential demand in each industry- Develop a clear breakdown of how our services can be positioned uniquely within each vertical- Collaborate with leadership to refine offerings and shape go-to-market materials- Document findings in a structured, repeatable format for potential future scaling- Use AI tools (and your brain) to accelerate research and hypothesis-building- Report progress, wins, blockers, and market insightsEligibility CriteriaMust-Haves- Proven experience in research-heavy or business development roles- Experienced in leveraging platforms like Reddit, Discord, or other community spaces to surface hidden trends, unmet needs, and organic conversations- Exceptional communication skills - both written and verbal- Demonstrated ability to use AI tools for market research, process mapping, and ideation- Strong critical thinking - able to challenge assumptions and ask "why" (or "why not?")Nice-to-Haves- Experience in marketing or sales functions- Copywriting experience (ref:updazz.com)