Have you heard about the very exciting new virtual assistant conference coming to the heart of Manchester? The Manchester VA Conference is a brand-new event dedicated to VAs and OBMs who want to upskill, connect with like-minded people, and learn from inspiring speakers."It's just so nice to get out and meet people face to face that are doing the same thing that you are doing, that are facing the same challenges that you are facing, swap ideas."In this week's episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I am joined by Emma Price and Victoria Baker, founders of The Manchester VA Conference, to talk all things community, connection, skills and why events like this matter.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Emma and Victoria noticed there were hardly any VA conferences happening up north (with most events based down south) so they decided to change that, and The Manchester VA Conference was born.2️⃣ The event features a diverse lineup of speakers covering everything from money mindset, AI and automations, to social media and beyond.3️⃣ You might recognise one of the speakers, that's me! I'll be doing a session all about helping VAs own their space, back themselves, and build the business they actually want.4️⃣ Attending VA conferences is so important for picking up new skills, learning from others, and building a network and community you can lean on.5️⃣ Putting together an all-day conference takes serious time, care and dedication, but as Emma and Victoria will tell you, it is absolutely worth it.

---The Manchester VA Conference is happening on Wednesday 6th May, make sure you grab your ticket today.

🔗 Grab your ticket

Check out previous episode, 'Networking for Virtual Assistants: Building Meaningful Connections'

🔗 Here's the linkAnd if you're attending the conference or you're based in the Manchester area, come along to the very first official in-person VA Handbook meetup since I took over. We’d love to see you there!

🔗 Grab your ticket

This episode is a really special one.

Joanne Munro, founder of The VA Handbook, joins me to share some exciting news about the next chapter for the business and community she’s built.

After years of growing The VA Handbook and supporting so many VAs on their journey, Jo has made the decision to step back - and I’m incredibly proud (and honoured) to be taking it forward.

In this conversation, we talk openly about:

• Jo’s journey building The VA Handbook and what she’s most proud of.

• How she knew it was the right time to move on.

• Why finding the right person to take it on mattered so much.

• What this transition means for the community.

• And what’s coming next.

This isn’t about something ending - it’s about building on everything that’s already been created and taking it into its next phase.

Key takeaways:

• Building a strong, supportive community takes time, consistency and care - but the impact it creates is huge.

• Knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to push forward.

• Trust, values and alignment matter when handing over something you’ve built.

• Growth often comes from making bold, sometimes uncomfortable decisions.

If you’re part of The VA Handbook community (or have been following along), this episode will give you a real insight into what’s ahead - and why there’s so much to be excited about.

Links and Resources

🔗 Follow Jo Munro on LinkedIn

🔗 Check out The VA Handbook

🔗 Sign up to the Espresso AI Newsletter

🔗 Check out all The Visionary VA Podcast

🔗 Check out The Visionary VA Circle

Don’t let the fear of hiring the wrong associate for your virtual assistant business get in the way of growing your team (and business).

“One of the biggest fears people have when they start building a team is hiring the wrong person. What if they’re not good enough, they let the client down or create more work instead of less?”

If you’d love to grow and build a team but too afraid of hiring the wrong person, this week’s episode of The Visionary VA Podcast is for you. We'll talk about the main reasons why associates don’t work out.

We’ll address setting expectations, knowing if someone is the right fit, what systems you need in place, and how leadership can help.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ Skill is a factor when hiring, but it isn’t the most important thing. Communication, reliability, and attention to details are essential. Are they professional with clients or proactive and ask questions? You can teach systems but not attitude, work ethic and communication style.

2️⃣ A common reason why associate hires don’t work out is because expectations haven’t been clear enough from the start. If your new hires have to guess, this is where things go wrong.

3️⃣ The associates who work out best are the ones who feel like they’re part of something. They care about the business and take pride in their work. They’re not someone who is just logging hours.

There is always a risk when hiring associates, but there are things you can do to better safeguard yourself. You have to protect your business reputation, client relationships and team culture, so you have to let someone go when someone’s not the right fit.

Finding the right people to grow your team changes everything. Worrying is normal, but don’t let fear get in the way of your growth.

At some point this week, take time to think about what matters most to you when hiring an associate. Write them down and start to build your own hiring blueprint, one you can return to every time you're looking to grow your team.

Mentioned in the episode 👇

'Hiring Associates with Ease' ⁠⁠⁠free guide.⁠⁠⁠

Red Flags to Avoid when Hiring Virtual Assistants for Your Team episode - listen here.

Resources 👇

Free ⁠⁠⁠Monthly Metrics Tracker download.⁠⁠⁠

Get our ⁠⁠Free mini course⁠⁠ on Creating Solid Business Foundations.

Check out ⁠⁠our website⁠⁠.

Do you feel like you’re constantly busy but unsure if you’re actually moving the business forward? This episode is for you, as we explore strategic business planning and the importance of weekly CEO check-ins.

“If you don’t create space to lead your business, you’ll spend all your time reacting to it.”

In this week’s episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, we’re exploring how you can switch from delivery mode to acting more as a CEO and business leader. It’s when you stop asking “what do I need to get done this week?” to “what does my business need from me this week?” as that subtle mindset shift is leadership.

The simplest (and most effective) way to do this is a weekly CEO check-in. If you can’t manage weekly now, start with monthly, then fortnightly and finally work your way towards weekly.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ Look at your financials and be clear on what’s coming in, going out and expected. This isn’t to panic you, but about staying informed. It gives you the space to review your revenue and identify any gaps or risks.

2️⃣ Take a moment to review your capacity and workload. Are you or your team at capacity, and things starting to feel a little stretched? This is how you spot burnout (before it happens) and when extra support is needed.

3️⃣ Do a light touch audit of clients. Who feels aligned, and are there any red flags? Maybe you can see some quick wins? This is all about staying aware, as often small issues can quickly become big ones if ignored.

4️⃣ Do not ignore your sales and pipeline. What leads do you have? Where could work drop off? This will help you avoid the feast and famine cycle.

Once you have reviewed your financials, capacity, clients and sales, ask yourself this one important question, “what will actually move my business forward this week?” Choose 1 to 3 tasks to focus on and break down the steps needed to achieve them.

Put time aside this week for your CEO check-in. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Give yourself one hour, at the same time each week (or month) to allow you to get into a rhythm. Tell yourself this is non-negotiable.

Resources 👇

Free ⁠⁠Monthly Metrics Tracker download.⁠⁠

Get our ⁠Free mini course⁠ on Creating Solid Business Foundations.

Hiring Associates ⁠free guide.⁠

Check out ⁠our website⁠.

Is it important to take risks and be brave in your virtual assistant business? Yes, absolutely! If you stick with what is comfortable, you won’t push yourself or grow.

“And that’s the thing about growth. What once stretched you eventually becomes your baseline. And if you don’t deliberately stretch again… You get stuck.”

In this week’s episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, we’re talking all about how and (more importantly) why we should take risks and dare to be bolder.

Following a session I had with one of my mentees, I’ve been reflecting on when business starts to feel flat, and the fact that it may be a strategy problem but more of a comfort problem.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ There’s a stage in business where the things that used to feel terrifying start to feel normal. What once stretched you becomes your baseline. If you don’t stretch again you become stuck.

2️⃣ Business decisions often feel uncomfortable before empowering. But dare to be brave as every decision shifts the landscape of your business. Not just financially but also identity-wise.

3️⃣ There’s nothing wrong with stability if that’s what you have consciously chose but if you’re feeling frustrated, bored or under-challenged that’s a sign you’ve probably outgrown your current comfort zone. Not your capability.

This week ask yourself, what am I avoiding because it feels uncomfortable? That one move may make your stomach flip, but it could be the very thing that changes the trajectory of your business.

Resources 👇

Listen to episode 48, 'Self-Belief Isn’t Optional: How to Build Self-Belief as a VA Leader and Business Owner'.

Join the Visionary VA Circle Facebook group.

Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations.

Hiring Associates free guide.

Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download.

Check out our website.

Is it good to be VAT registered? Virtual assistants usually avoid hitting the VAT threshold, because they think it's bad news. However, if you’re approaching the point where you’re required to be VAT registered, that’s not a problem; it’s proof your business is doing something right.

“VAT doesn’t have to be scary, it’s just another stage of growth.”

This episode tackles one of the biggest mindset blocks small business owners face: the VAT threshold. We explore what VAT registered actually means, who is required to be VAT registered, and why so many business owners dread it.

We break down the key facts, including the important distinction that the VAT threshold is based on a 12-month rolling period, not the tax year. We then walk through three practical pricing strategies for when you become VAT registered: adding VAT on top of your current prices, increasing your prices before you hit the threshold, or absorbing the cost.

Most importantly, we talk about reframing. Don’t position VAT registration as bad news for your clients, it’s good news. It means your business is growing, becoming more structured, and stepping into a new level of professionalism.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ Hitting the point where you’re required to be VAT registered means your turnover is strong. Stop seeing it as a penalty and start seeing it as a milestone.

2️⃣ Get your pricing strategy sorted early. Whether you choose to add VAT on top, raise your prices in advance, or absorb the cost, plan ahead. Talk to an accountant and work out the approach that suits your business and your clients.

3️⃣ VAT is a business upgrade, not a burden. Becoming VAT registered is the moment your business becomes more structured.

If you’re anywhere near the VAT threshold, don’t bury your head in the sand. Book a call with your accountant this week, review your 12-month rolling turnover, and start mapping out your pricing strategy. You’ve built a business that’s growing, now it’s time to make sure your structure supports the growth.

Resources 👇

Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook group

Get our ⁠free mini course⁠ on Creating Solid Business Foundations⁠

Hiring Associates free guide⁠⁠

Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download⁠⁠

Check out our website

Have you ever had a quiet month or two in your business and immediately thought: "What am I doing wrong? Maybe I'm not as good at this as I thought"? Bad months happen and they do not get to decide who you are as a business owner, a leader, or a VA. "A bad month doesn't mean you're bad at business. It means you're in business." In this episode, we're diving into something that comes up again and again in mentoring sessions: detaching your self-worth from your business results. When you're a VA, especially if you're service-led and values-driven, it's very easy for business performance to feel personal. When work slows down, a client leaves, or revenue dips, it doesn't just feel like a business fluctuation. It can feel like a reflection of you. We explore what a quiet period in business is, why all businesses have quiet periods, and what to do when business goes quiet. Because you can be doing everything right and still have a slower period. Every business has seasonal dips, client churn, flat months, external factors you can't control, and phases of consolidation instead of growth. The difference isn't whether businesses have bad months, it's how much meaning they attach to them. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Zoom out for perspective. Three to six months gives you context. Patterns matter. Blips don't. When you're navigating what to do when business goes quiet, remember that every business has seasonal dips, client churn, and phases of consolidation. 2️⃣ Instead of asking "What did I do wrong?", try asking: What worked? What shifted? What was in my control? What wasn't? This approach helps you understand the quiet period in business without making it personal. 3️⃣ You are still skilled, experienced, resourceful, adaptable, and capable of navigating change. A spreadsheet doesn't get to take that away from you. Detaching your worth doesn't make you careless, it makes you stable. This week, when you look at your numbers, write one sentence that starts with: "This month taught me…" Not "This month proves…" And notice how differently that lands. You're allowed to learn without labelling yourself. You're allowed to wobble without questioning everything. And you're allowed to be human while still being a very capable leader. Growth isn't linear. Confidence isn't constant. And leadership doesn't require perfection, it requires resilience. Check out episode 12 'Resilience, Mindset and Solutions'Check out mentoring optionsResources 👇Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business FoundationsHiring Associates free guideFree Monthly Metrics Tracker downloadCheck out our website

From corporate EA to franchise founder. Find out how Suzy Sanders built Alchemy Virtual Assistance UK to a thriving franchise. She also talks about why she believes success comes down to three powerful Cs."If you're not out there and you're not visible, then you're going to be the best VA in the world with no clients."Holly is joined by Suzy Sanders, founder and franchiser of Alchemy Virtual Assistance UK. She shares her incredible journey from feeling lost to building an award-winning VA business that's approaching its 10th anniversary.Suzy opens up about the pivotal moment when she nearly quit and how a conversation became the turning point that transformed her business. She reveals the challenges of working with associates early to finding the perfect franchising model to serve clients meaningfully whilst supporting other VAs.She also discusses benefits of PR, the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, and why slow, sustainable growth has been key to building the right franchise community.Stick around to the end as Suzy shares her framework for success: the three Cs, competency, community, and credibility. Emphasising that developing these equally is essential for growth and momentum.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Build your foundations equally across the three Cs. Develop your competency, community, and credibility in equal measure.2️⃣ Embrace visibility as a long-term investment. Whether it's PR, awards, or social media, showing up consistently is non-negotiable.3️⃣ Allow your business to evolve. Don't get fixated on one path or model. Be open to flexing your approach, trying different models, and pivoting when something isn't working. Your business should serve your life, not the other way round.Take stock of your three Cs today. Where are you strongest? Where do you need to invest more energy? Write down one action you can take this week in your weakest area, whether that's booking a training course, reaching out to connect with someone in your industry, or finally hitting publish on that post you've been drafting. Remember, "if you don't put your hat in the ring, you're not going to get picked."Check out 'Building a Dream Team' episodeJoin The Visionary VA Facebook Group

Resources 👇Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business FoundationsHiring Associates free guideFree Monthly Metrics Tracker downloadVisit our website