The Visionary VA Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

The path from EA to business owner isn't always straight. Here's how life's biggest challenges became my greatest business assets.  

In this episode, I take you through my journey from navigating major life changes to building a thriving Virtual Assistant Agency.   

You'll hear about my diverse background, from college to prestigious banking roles, the unexpected curveballs I faced and how I decided to take control of my own destiny.  

Key takeaways include:  

• Embracing challenges 
• Leveraging past experiences for growth 
• The importance of resilience and community support  

The right mindset shift was crucial to my success. 

By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with actionable insights to build and grow your own business despite life's curveballs.  

Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/scale-with-success⁠ 

Hiring Associates free guide: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/hiring-associates⁠ 

Find us at: ⁠https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/

The Visionary VA Podcast is for ambitious virtual assistants ready to scale their businesses into thriving agencies. Hosted by Holly Copsey, who has built an approaching seven-figure VA business with a team of 30, this podcast gives you the tools to transform your solo VA business into a scalable, multi-VA agency.

Tune in weekly for actionable tips, success stories, and expert interviews covering everything from team building and systems to pricing strategies and attracting high-paying clients.

Subscribe now and get ready to scale!

Join the waitlist here: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/podcast-waitlist

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.

Less than six weeks left of the year and this is the moment most people either switch off or get intentional. If you listen/watch this podcast, I can guess which camp do you want to be in.

"Goals without alignment become chores, but goals built on intention pull you forward."

You know that feeling when the year suddenly catches up with you? That's exactly where we are right now. I am talking about setting goals that actually stick, not the fluffy, vague "new year, new me" type goals, but thoughtful, aligned, intentional goals.

This episode will walk you through the essential steps of goal-setting that work: pausing before you plan, choosing how you want 2026 to feel, setting fewer but better goals, and breaking them down into micro projects that make progress feel achievable.

This isn't about waiting for January to reset, your 2026 starts now, in the decisions you make, the clarity you create, and the vision you choose to step into.

Key takeaways

• Before you plan, you must pause. Take a moment to reflect on 2025 e.g. what worked well, what surprised you, what felt heavy, and what you're proud of.

• Set fewer, better goals. Choose one primary business goal that genuinely moves the needle, one systems or structure goal that makes everything else easier, and one personal or wellbeing goal, because burnt-out VAs don't lead thriving businesses.

• Identify the obstacles before they derail you. Look at your goals and ask what could get in the way e.g. confidence, client workload, lack of boundaries, or old self-sabotage. When you expect obstacles, you're ready for them instead of shocked by them.

Finish this sentence: "In 2026, I want to become a business owner who..." This is your real starting point, not the diary, not the planner, not the colour-coded goals. Your identity shapes your year. Start simple: one feeling, one focus, one goal, one first step.

Check out episode 9 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tv-Qmfc94

Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/visionaryvacircle/

Resources 👇

Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/scale-with-success

Hiring Associates free guide: ⁠https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/hiring-associates

Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/monthly-metrics-tracker

Find us at: ⁠https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/

You know that moment when you realise you're the one breaking your own rule? Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do as leaders is to slow down, zoom out and make decisions that keep us aligned - even when it feels uncomfortable.

"Doing less doesn't mean lowering your standards - it means raising your focus."

In this episode, I share a personal realisation – that I was spreading myself far too thin. After reviewing Q4 plans, I recognised I wasn't following my own advice about sustainable growth. That is why The Visionary VA Podcast will shift from weekly to fortnightly episodes - not to do less for the sake of it, but to do less, better.

Growth doesn’t always mean more e.g. more output, more hours, more "showing up". Instead, real, sustainable growth often looks like subtraction, not addition. It's about giving yourself permission to pause, simplify and focus on what really matters. Because if everything's a priority… nothing is.

Key takeaways:

• Take the advice you dish out to clients ALL the time. Real growth, sustainable growth, often looks like subtraction, not addition. Don't be afraid to make a change when something isn't working at the level you want it to.

• Grab a notebook and create three columns. One column for things that energise you and move you forward). Another column for the stuff that drains you or no longer fits where you're heading. The last column is for the things that still matter, but don't have to be done by you. You'll be surprised how much clarity this simple exercise brings.

• As business owners, we can fall into the trap of overcommitting - saying yes to everything and everyone. But you don't scale by doing more; you scale by doing better. Sometimes, something has to give, and you need a way to figure out what that is.

If you're listening to this and thinking, "yeah, I'm definitely doing too much," this is your nudge. Take your own advice. Review, refine, and be brave enough to adjust course. Doing less doesn't mean lowering your standards - it means raising your focus. Here's to doing less, better - and to creating more space for the kind of growth that actually feels good.

Check out the episode #17 where I talk about recognising overwhelm and stopping the spiral 👉  Listen here

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What started out as a slightly terrifying idea has turned into one of the most rewarding things I've done so far. This week, we're celebrating a whole year of The Visionary VA Podcast, and I'm revisiting conversations from incredible guests who've shifted my perspective on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a thriving VA business.

"You don't have to feel ready to start, you just have to start."

It's been a year since I hit record on episode one, and what a journey it's been. In this special anniversary episode, I'm reflecting on 12 months of honest conversations about what it's actually like to grow a VA business and build a team. Not the polished version, but the messy, human, sometimes magical reality of running a business that's built around freedom, purpose, and possibility.

I'm revisiting some of my favourite interviews from the past year, pulling out key learnings from brilliant guests like Kathy Soulsby, Emma Mills, Sarah Dodsley, and Robin Waite. We're talking about the importance of resilience, getting your rates right, understanding your numbers, embracing the loneliness of leadership, and what it really means to build a fearless business.

This podcast has taught me so much. Not just about podcasting, but about communication, connection, and consistency. Showing up every week, recording, promoting, and juggling it all alongside client work, mentoring, and family life, it's no small thing. But it's also one of the things of which I'm most proud.

Whether you've listened since episode one, or this is your very first time tuning in, your support means the world. Here's to another year of growth, connection, and courage.

Key takeaways:

• Start messy, start scared, but start. You don't have to feel ready to begin. Confidence comes from doing, not from waiting until everything is perfect.

• You can't run a thriving business on hustle alone. It takes structure, yes, but also heart, purpose, and alignment. Take the time to put systems in place whilst charging your worth and factoring in the increasing costs of running your business.

• The more we understand ourselves (our triggers, strengths, energy, and boundaries), the better leaders we become. Leadership can be lonely, and we don't have to have it all figured out (no one does!)

If you've been sitting on an idea (whether it's a podcast, a new service, or just a new direction for your business) take this as your sign to start. Don't wait until it's perfect. Growth takes courage, and progress always comes with a bit of discomfort. Everyone's path looks different, so create a version that fits you.

Interviews mentioned in this podcast:

• Kathy Soulsby
• Emma Mills
• Sarah Dodsley
• Robin Waite

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free monthly metrics tracker download⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The version of you that started this business isn't the same one leading it today. If you've been feeling that inner voice saying "something needs to change" but don't know how to move forward, this episode is your permission slip.

"Every time I've evolved, it's created space. Space for the next stage of growth. And often, what feels like an ending is actually the start of something better aligned."

This episode of The Visionary VA Podcast is all about reflection. I am talking about giving yourself permission to evolve. Our lives change such as family responsibilities, caring duties, health issues, financial challenges, and as business owners and leaders, we change too.

But sometimes we keep holding onto old versions of ourselves or old ways of doing business because letting go feels uncomfortable. Discover how to recognise when you've outgrown a version of yourself or your business, why we resist change, and how to move into your next chapter. Learn the signs that you're ready for evolution and get a simple three-step framework to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Key takeaways:

• Recognise the signs you're ready to evolve. Work no longer excites you, feeling frustrated, or craving more impact. Those nudges aren't signs of failure, they're signs of growth.

• Give yourself permission without justification, you don't need anyone else to validate your evolution. You're allowed to shift your services, reposition your brand, or restructure your team.

• Use the three Rs: Reflect, Reimagine, and Realign. Reflect on what's working and what feels heavy. Reimagine what your ideal business would look like. Realign by taking small, steady steps to bridge the gap.

Give yourself that permission slip today to evolve and grow. You've worked hard to get here, but you don't have to stay here out of obligation. The next version of you? She's already waiting and she's even more capable, confident, and aligned than you can imagine.

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Why do so many virtual assistants (VAs), even those who are brilliant at what they do, hide behind their clients' businesses rather than confidently stepping into the spotlight? If you can show up fearlessly for your clients but freeze when it comes to showing up for yourself, this episode is for you.

"Visibility isn't vanity. It's leadership."

In this episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I tackle the fear of visibility, something that comes up repeatedly in mentoring sessions and inside the VIVA community.

Discover why so many VAs struggle to showcase their skills publicly, even when they're incredible at what they do. I share examples of visibility and teach you how to reframe from performance to connection, understand why being seen is essential for growing your VA business (especially into an agency), and get practical strategies for creating business visibility without feeling salesy or performative.

Professional visibility is not showing off, it's about showing up as the leader you are and building trust by being real.

Key takeaways:

• Visibility is connection, not performance. When you share your expertise, you're helping someone who's two steps behind you.

• Begin with your voice instead of your face. Create before you consume. The imperfect posts connect the most.

• As your business grows, your team looks to you for direction. You can't expect them to show up with confidence if you're hiding behind the curtain.

This week, take one visible action for you. Not for a client. Not for your team. For you. Maybe it's sharing a post that feels a little uncomfortable, introducing yourself properly on LinkedIn, or hitting "record" on that first video. Remember: you don't build trust by hiding. You build it by showing up.

Sometimes you just need a 6.8 earthquake to wake you up and give you that push. Well, that was the case for award-winning Hayley Hudson, which was the start of her business journey, resulting in running a successful international business and virtual assistant community.

“ It took a 6.8 earthquake at the end of 2019. It just woke me up a bit to go, what am I doing? Where am I? We'd gone through life really as we do, and I think there was a lot of stuff that happened in previous years that it just made me realise, what am I doing and where do I wanna go from here?”

This week on The Visionary VA Podcast, I sit down with Hayley Hudson, founder of Hudson Admin Support and The VA Lounge, a community for virtual assistance. Known for her down-to-earth approach, love of tech, and big heart for small businesses,  Hayley helps VAs simplify systems embrace essential software.

She shares her journey from first taking the leap into becoming a freelance virtual assistant, to running and managing a team for her international business, almost 6 years down the line. She shares advice for those considering expanding their VA business by building a team, and how important support groups and communities are for virtual assistants – which is one of the reasons she set up The VA Lounge.

Key takeaways:

• First, sort out the practical and physical stuff and then go out and tell people. Connect and network with others as you never know where you’ll pick up work.

• Invest in the support and people that will help grow your business. There’s always tasks you can delegate that allow you to focus on growing and building your VA business.

• Join groups and communities where you can meet and connect with other virtual assistants. With The VA Lounge, you can meet others during virtual coffee sessions, join an upskilling session, or use the community to ask questions.

What’s the one thing you can do today that will help you to build the life you really want to lead. What will be your earthquake moment? Whether that’s developing your virtual assistant skills, joining a group or community, or allowing yourself to take time off – clients really don't mind if you give them enough notice.

About Hayley:

Hayley Hudson is the founder of Hudson Admin Support and The VA Lounge, a community for virtual assistants. Known for her down-to-earth approach, love of tech, and big heart for small businesses, Hayley helps VAs simplify systems, embrace essential software, and build successful businesses that align with their values. She believes tech doesn’t have to be terrifying - and she’s on a mission to make it feel fun, doable, and profitable. When she’s not hosting Coffee Club or testing the latest tools, you’ll find her cheering on VAs, simplifying chaos, and keeping business real and relatable.

Where to find Hayley:

Website

LinkedIn

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hiring Associates free guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the website