Let’s clear something up… finding clients is not a passive activity. It never has been , and anyone telling you otherwise is either very lucky , very new , or selling you something .   Before you even think about “ putting yourself out there ”, your virtual ducks must be in a nice neat row. Not Instagram-perfect ducks… real business ducks.   You need to know what you actually offer. Not a vague “ I can help with admin ”. Be crystal clear . That might be a defined industry ni

You’ve been thinking about it for months. Okay, years. The idea keeps tugging at your sleeve like a determined toddler: “Start your own VA business.”   It whispers when you're stuck in traffic. It murmurs when you open yet another email marked “urgent” that really, really  isn’t. It’s there when you’re doing your best work… for someone else’s benefit.   And then, just as quickly as the thought excites you – bam – in comes the fear parade.   “What if I’m not good enough?” “Wh

There’s a common misconception about self-employment, and it is that once you work for yourself, everything becomes easier. Boundaries are established with aplomb (and never compromised), confidence materialises like magic, and saying yes or no becomes a simple matter of choice.   Anyone who has actually built a business knows that’s not how it works.   Yep… freedom is incredibly empowering, but it’s also confronting, and that’s largely because the moment you’re in control of

Luck doesn't build a successful Virtual Assistant business... Foundations do.

It’s time to call something out that’s been getting up my virtual nose lately.   I’m seeing more and more people launch Virtual Assistant businesses without the faintest clue about how to actually run  a business. I don’t say that to be harsh… I say it because it’s true. And to be totally honest with you, it’s really starting to worry me.   We’ve got people setting up “businesses” who don’t know what services they’re offering, have no concept of who their ideal client might b

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in business ( and in life ), it’s that the most successful people aren’t the most polished; they’re the...

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media platforms like LinkedIn lately, you’ve more than likely been on the receiving end...

Let’s talk about the thing no one ever wants to talk about… mental health, burnout and workplace bullying.   For too long, we’ve danced...

Here’s something I see happening all the time in the Virtual Assistant world… so many incredibly hardworking and well-intentioned VAs...

There’s a quiet shift happening.   Women and men… brilliant, capable, deeply thoughtful individuals… are waking up to a truth that...

There’s a quiet legal shift underway in Australia – and for our home-grown VA industry, it’s time to sit up and take notice.   For years,...

…aka: The Uncomplicated Life and Times of a Woman Who Just Wanted to Be Left Alone to Build a Life She Loves Have you ever wondered what...

For years, small businesses who were looking for additional administrative, creative or technical support were often encouraged to use...

Starting a VA business isn’t just about offering admin support – it’s about building something that serves your life, your goals, and...

Last month we talked about In-Person Networking , and how it's a valuable tool that you can use to build your VA business.  This month,...

" Start before you're ready." It sounds empowering, doesn't it? And in some ways, it is.   When you are up to your elbows in your own...

At VA Institute , we have the privilege of changing people's lives every single day. We help everyday individuals just like you step away...

For those of us who care deeply about the future of the Virtual Assistant industry, this is something we can’t ignore.   I’ve always...

Let’s talk about something that might make you a little uncomfortable: in-person networking. If you’re anything like most Virtual...

Without a doubt, one of the most frequently debated topics among Virtual Assistants is this:   “Should I list my service prices on my...