Marisa Hodson has been in the VA industry for almost 5 years - this realisation comes to her during this episode when she’s talking about some of her experiences while she’s been in business.

This conversation is a raw and open discussion about fear around money, fear around celebrating the wins (because we worry about when “will the good thing end?”), and how we can get caught in a spiral of self doubt. We talk about mental health, and the powerful impact that having a community of encouraging, supportive, and honest people around you has – and also, the gratitude that Amber and Marisa have for the Virtually Yours members (and their fearless leader).

Connect with Marisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-hodson/ and https://yourvirtualdesk.com.au/

We aren’t talking tips about marketing etc - today we are talking about how many VAs like to hide behind their computer instead of getting out in front of their audience. Why? What is the fear? What are some solutions? Is it introversion or is it something deeper?

What are some ways to take those baby steps to come around from behind the screens? How can you build your ‘know, like and trust’ factors without making yourself hideously stressed out? Let’s chat about it!

We spoke about photographers we recommend. They are:

Fi Mims - https://fimimsphotography.com.au/

Amanda Waschevski - https://ips.photo/

We all know agreement docs are super important. But why do we often just include the legal stuff and forget about the real stuff that looks at managing expectations as HUMANS.

In this episode we chat about some of the extra clauses you might want to consider (we aren’t lawyers though, so always get advice from your lawyer or solicitor) so that you can exit an agreement when poor behaviour shows up.

Knowing your version of success and being ok with it (especially when it looks different from someone else's)

Part of Rosie’s mentoring with VAs is around understanding what our version of success looks like, and tuning into that mindset shift. We can’t be doing what everyone else is doing, because we all have different circumstances.

In this episode we get real about the seasons of change and how they will evolve just as we do in business. The reminder of “what worked or was applicable ‘then’ won’t always suit now, or in the future” rings true in this chat.

Jemimah Ashleigh is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author and keynote speaker. After a thirteen year career in law enforcement, Jemimah left the Australian Federal Police and has since gone on to start multiple six figure businesses, release a best-selling book, win multiple awards and in 2024 was named one of Australia's top 10 entrepreneurs.
Her business The Visibility Lab, helps small business owners grow and scale with practical helpful advice and helps them get visible!

When we’re in a Virtual environment, comparisonitis can grab us easily, and we can question our beginning while we’re looking at someone else’s 5, or 10, year success.

In this episode, Jemimah shares her experience on building a business from the beginning, how it’s not all roses and overnight success, and some of the challenges she has faced recently.

Listen in for her 3 top tips that she teaches her Visibility Lab members.

Connect with Jemimah on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemimah-ashleigh/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jemimah.ashleigh

Marianne sent us a brilliant question for discussion:

“How do we reframe our language and mindset to stop using terms like ‘just an admin’ or just a VA’ – or the word JUST in general – when talking about what we do with others?

What are some of the ways we can reframe and reword our language (particularly emails!) where we use apologetic language? As admin, we are often made to feel like we are quite a way down the ladder of importance, so we are trained (or brainwashed) to be apologetic if we take a little longer to respond, or don’t have the solution instantly. Of course, it’s made even worse when you are female, because you seem to be apologising constantly!”

Ooof! Right in the feels with this - when you’re providing support to other people in business, you’re anything but JUST an assistant. We unpack this one even further with a side note of how to respond with a little bit of humour ;)

These are the funny phrases we mention, so please enjoy!

https://www.boredpanda.com/passive-aggressive-email-phrases-meaning/

And if you have a question you’d like us to answer, you can drop it to us here

https://forms.gle/Fa2p79UHB9C3ZuX3A

Have you been blending paid employment with self employment? Or are you toying with the idea of returning to a job - whether that be casual, part time or full time?

If so, this episode is for you.

Rosie made an announcement this week that after 20 years she has taken on a part-time position - a REAL LIFE ONE with paid Superannuation, people and she leaves the house! And we’re all here with her, cheering her on. It’s opened up some incredible conversations, and there have been many people who share that they also blend the 2 income styles, or are considering getting a job.

This is about creating a business that works for you, and this is what we’re about - doing, building, and embracing what works for you, your family, and your season.

Let’s chat about how designing a business unique to you can be a wonderful goal.

When Marisa from Your Virtual Desk sent through the question “How to put a stop to feeling like you always need to be on” both of us let out a knowing sigh. This is something that we can all relate to when working in a remote environment. It’s an experience that comes with a bit of a gut punch when you start to dig a little deeper, and we share our tips on how we’ve helped to reduce the ‘always on’ mentality in our businesses.

In this episode, you get to enjoy Amber’s full awkwardness as she tries to navigate yet another challenge set by our cheerleaders, Leanne Woff from Audacious Empires, and Kym Bina from VPA Support.

If you have a question you’d like us to answer for you, fill in our form and we’ll share our response in an upcoming episode:

https://forms.gle/NKTxQuTLKtvj5jC86