Support Shepherd

Overview

Support Shepherd connects businesses with virtual assistants based in the Philippines, offering some of the most competitive rates in the VA industry. Founded by Nick Loper — the entrepreneur behind Side Hustle Nation — the company has built a reputation as a go-to option for startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses that want reliable remote help without paying premium prices.

The pitch is straightforward: you get a pre-vetted, full-time virtual assistant for a fraction of what you’d pay a U.S.-based provider. There are no monthly management fees, no long-term contracts, and no surprise charges. For businesses watching every dollar, that kind of transparency is refreshing.

But budget-friendly doesn’t mean perfect. Support Shepherd has real limitations — from timezone gaps to inconsistent quality across placements. In this review, we’ll break down exactly what you get, what you don’t, and whether it’s the right fit for your business.

Services

Support Shepherd offers VAs across a wide range of business functions. Their talent pool covers the core services most small businesses need, and a few specialized ones too.

Administrative support is their bread and butter. You can hire VAs for email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, travel booking, and general back-office work. This is where most clients start.

Customer service roles are another strong suit. VAs can handle phone support, live chat, email inquiries, and ticket management. If you’re running an e-commerce store or SaaS product and need someone to respond to customers during business hours, this is a solid option.

Marketing and social media VAs can manage your social accounts, create content calendars, write blog posts, handle email campaigns, and assist with basic SEO tasks. Don’t expect agency-level strategy here — these VAs are executors, not strategists.

Bookkeeping support covers invoicing, expense tracking, accounts receivable/payable, and basic financial reporting. Many of their VAs are familiar with QuickBooks and Xero.

Lead generation VAs can handle prospect research, cold email outreach, CRM data entry, and appointment setting. This is popular with real estate agents and B2B sales teams.

Web development is available too, though this is more specialized. You can find VAs with WordPress, Shopify, and basic front-end development skills. For anything complex, you’ll likely want a dedicated developer instead.

The range is genuinely broad. That said, if you need deep expertise in a niche area — say, medical billing or legal transcription — you may find the talent pool thinner than with specialized providers.

Pricing

This is where Support Shepherd really stands out. Their pricing model is one of the most transparent in the industry.

Full-time VAs (40 hours/week) typically cost between $8 and $10 per hour, depending on the role and experience level required. That works out to roughly $1,280 to $1,600 per month for a dedicated full-time assistant.

Here’s what makes the pricing structure appealing:

• No placement fees — you don’t pay extra to get matched with a VA
• No monthly management fees — what you pay the VA is what you pay, period
• No long-term contracts — you can part ways with a VA at any time
• You pay the VA directly — Support Shepherd handles the recruitment and vetting, then steps back

That last point is worth highlighting. Unlike providers such as Belay that act as ongoing employers and charge a management premium, Support Shepherd functions more like a recruitment agency. They find you the right person, and then you manage the relationship.

This model keeps costs low, but it also means you’re more on your own after placement. There’s no account manager checking in regularly or mediating issues between you and your VA. For self-sufficient business owners, that’s fine. For those who want a hands-off experience, it might not be.

Use our VA cost calculator to see how Support Shepherd’s rates compare for your specific needs.

Vetting Process

Support Shepherd’s screening process is more rigorous than what you’d get hiring through a freelance marketplace, though not as intensive as top-tier providers like Stellar Staff.

Here’s how it works:

1. Application review — Support Shepherd collects resumes and filters for relevant experience, education, and work history.
2. Skills assessment — Candidates take tests specific to the role they’re applying for. An admin VA gets tested on organizational tools and data entry speed. A bookkeeper gets tested on accounting fundamentals.
3. English proficiency screening — Since all VAs are Philippines-based, written and verbal English skills are evaluated carefully. This is an important filter, as communication gaps are the number one complaint with offshore VAs.
4. Video interviews — Candidates go through at least one video interview to assess professionalism, communication clarity, and cultural fit.

The company reports that only a small percentage of applicants make it through the entire process. That’s encouraging, though it’s worth noting that acceptance rates claimed by VA companies are notoriously hard to verify.

In practice, the vetting produces solid results more often than not. Most clients report that their VAs are professional, competent, and communicate well. But it’s not foolproof — some placements don’t work out, and when that happens, Support Shepherd will work with you to find a replacement.

Client Experience

The client experience with Support Shepherd follows a clear pattern: strong on the front end, lighter on ongoing support.

Getting started is easy. You fill out a form describing the role, required skills, and working hours. Support Shepherd’s team reviews your needs and presents candidates — usually within a few days. You interview the candidates yourself, pick the one you like, and get started.

Day-to-day management is entirely your responsibility. You provide the tools, set the expectations, and manage the workflow. Support Shepherd doesn’t provide project management software, time tracking tools, or regular check-ins. If you’re used to managing remote workers, this won’t feel different from any other hire.

Communication with your VA is typically handled through whatever channels you prefer — Slack, email, Zoom, or phone. Since VAs are in the Philippines, there’s a timezone gap to manage. Many clients find overlap during early morning (U.S.) or late evening hours, but it requires some planning.

When things go wrong, Support Shepherd will help you find a replacement VA. The process is relatively painless, though it does mean starting over with onboarding. There’s no formal SLA or guaranteed response time for replacements.

The overall experience works best for clients who are already comfortable managing remote team members. If you’ve never worked with a VA before and want hand-holding, you may feel underprepared.

Who Should Use Support Shepherd

Support Shepherd is a strong fit if you match one or more of these profiles:

• Budget-conscious startups that need full-time help but can’t afford $2,000+/month for a managed VA service
• Solopreneurs and side hustlers who want to free up time on repetitive tasks without a big financial commitment
• E-commerce store owners who need customer service, product listing management, or social media help
• Real estate agents looking for transaction support, lead follow-up, or CRM management
• Small business owners who are already experienced at managing remote workers
• Anyone who values pricing transparency and doesn’t want to deal with contracts or hidden fees

The common thread? You’re price-sensitive, self-sufficient as a manager, and comfortable working with Philippines-based talent across time zones.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Support Shepherd isn’t the best choice for everyone. Consider other options if:

• You need a U.S.-based VA — All of Support Shepherd’s talent is in the Philippines. If timezone alignment or cultural familiarity with the American market is critical, look at providers like Belay instead.
• You want a managed service — If you prefer having an account manager handle VA performance, task delegation, and quality assurance, a provider like Stellar Staff will serve you better.
• You need part-time or hourly flexibility — Support Shepherd focuses on full-time placements. For 5-20 hours per week, 20four7VA offers more flexible arrangements.
• You require highly specialized skills — Complex technical roles (advanced development, data science, specialized accounting) may be tough to fill through Support Shepherd’s pool.
• You’ve never managed a remote worker before — The light-touch post-placement support means you need to know how to onboard, train, and manage a VA on your own.

How Support Shepherd Compares

Here’s how Support Shepherd stacks up against two other popular VA providers. You can also run a detailed side-by-side comparison on any providers that interest you.

Support Shepherd’s biggest advantage over Stellar Staff is price — you’ll save several hundred dollars per month. But you trade off vetting rigor and ongoing management support. Compared to 20four7VA, the pricing is similar, but 20four7VA offers more flexibility with part-time arrangements and provides more hands-on management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Support Shepherd cost per month?

For a full-time VA working 40 hours per week, expect to pay between $1,280 and $1,600 per month ($8–10/hr). There are no additional management fees, placement fees, or contract lock-ins. You pay the VA’s hourly rate and that’s it.

Can I try a VA part-time first before committing to full-time?

Support Shepherd primarily focuses on full-time placements. If you want to test the waters with 10-20 hours per week first, you may need to negotiate directly, or consider a provider like 20four7VA that’s built for flexible arrangements.

What happens if my VA doesn’t work out?

Support Shepherd will help match you with a new candidate. The replacement process typically takes a few days, similar to the original matching timeline. There’s no additional fee for the replacement, though you’ll need to handle onboarding again.

Is Support Shepherd legit?

Yes. The company was founded by Nick Loper, a well-known entrepreneur in the online business community through his Side Hustle Nation brand. Support Shepherd has been operating for several years and has placed VAs with thousands of businesses. That said, like any service, individual experiences vary.

How do I manage timezone differences with a Philippines-based VA?

The Philippines is 12-13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time, depending on daylight saving. Many clients schedule overlap during their early morning hours (which is evening in the Philippines). Some VAs are willing to work U.S. business hours, but this should be discussed and agreed upon before hiring.

Our Verdict

Support Shepherd delivers exactly what it promises: affordable, pre-vetted virtual assistants from the Philippines with no hidden fees or complicated contracts. For startups and small businesses that need reliable full-time help on a tight budget, it’s one of the most cost-effective options out there.

The transparency is genuine. You know what you’re paying, there’s no middleman markup after placement, and you can walk away at any time. Nick Loper’s reputation in the entrepreneurial community adds an extra layer of trust that many offshore VA providers lack.

But go in with realistic expectations. This is a recruitment service, not a managed VA solution. Once your VA is placed, you’re the manager. If you’re not ready for that responsibility — or if you need deep ongoing support — you’ll get more value from a full-service provider like Stellar Staff, even at a higher price.

The vetting process is solid but not bulletproof. Most placements work well, but some don’t, and when that happens, you’ll need to restart the matching process. That’s a normal tradeoff at this price point.

Bottom line: If you’re comfortable managing a remote worker, want full-time help, and care about keeping costs low, Support Shepherd is a smart choice. If you want more support, flexibility, or premium talent, browse our full directory of VA providers to find a better match.