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

A hard year does not get the final say on who you are and your capabilities. If 2025 knocked your confidence, this episode is about closing one chapter properly, without dragging it into the next one. We’ll cover how to set yourself up to move into 2026 feeling steadier, clearer and confident."Confidence doesn't come from never struggling. It comes from knowing you can handle it when you do."You know when a year doesn't quite go how you thought it would? That was 2025 for many of us. In this honest and reflective episode, we're talking about acknowledging the tough year without beating ourselves up, understanding that even high performers wobble, and recognising that confidence isn't constant. It's something you rebuild.This isn't about pretending last year didn't affect you. It's about recalibrating. We explore three key priorities for the year ahead: health (because everything else depends on it), mindset (because it shapes everything you see), and focus and alignment (the real game changer). You don't need to be louder this year. You need to be clearer. This episode is about leading your business with yourself, not against yourself, and building a new chapter on self-trust, focus and steadier confidence.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Even experienced business owners doubt themselves sometimes. Even leaders have days where they don't feel on top of it. You're not failing. A tough year means you're navigating challenges like everyone else.2️⃣ Your health underpins everything including your energy, your patience, your clarity, and your resilience. Rest is not laziness. Mindset is the key to success because it changes how much power problems have over you.3️⃣ If 2025 knocked your confidence, you are not behind or broken. Take this time to reflect.Let 2026 be intentional. Take a moment this week and reflect on your needs. What do you want to release, and how can you run a business that works with your life, not against it? Learn from last year, so that this can be your year to thrive.Check out 'Reflect, Recharge, and Build a Growth Mindset for 2025'.Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook Group.Resources 👇Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations.Download our Hiring Associates free guide.Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download.Check out our website.

If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach when looking at your business finances - or found yourself undercharging because you're afraid to ask for what you're worth, this episode is for you. Today we're dropping the shame around money and getting informed about the numbers that matter in your virtual assistant business.“If you're informed, you're empowered. If you're empowered, you make great decisions. Empowered women empower women.”I'm joined by Ruth Freestone, founder of Root-ed Accounting, a judgement-free accountant on a mission to help ambitious women get informed, stay compliant and drop the shame around their numbers.We dive deep into the real reasons why so many women in business feel intimidated by their finances and undercharge for their services. Ruth shares practical advice on the first numbers every VA should get comfortable with, the financial mistakes she sees most frequently, and what healthy profit margins actually look like for VA businesses – especially if you're building an agency model.We talk about money mindset, financial empowerment and the small habits that make the biggest difference to financial clarity. Ruth also shares the essential financial groundwork you need to lay before growing a team, the bookkeeping tools that can simplify your life and the questions you should be asking when interviewing potential accountants.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Get comfortable with your core numbers. Start with the basics: your revenue, your expenses, and your profit. Understanding these three numbers gives you the foundation to make informed decisions about pricing, team growth and business sustainability.2️⃣ So many women carry shame around their finances and numbers – whether it's not earning enough, undercharging, or simply not understanding their finances. Financial empowerment means getting informed, staying compliant, and recognising that you should charge what you're worth.3️⃣ Lay the groundwork before you grow. If you're thinking about building a team or scaling to an agency model, get your financial systems sorted first. Know your profit margins, understand your true costs, and make sure you have bookkeeping processes in place.This week, take one small step towards financial clarity. Check your profit margin, review your pricing or (finally) book that call with an accountant you've been putting off. Whatever it is, remember that you are the customer. Ask questions, demand clarity, and take up space in these conversations. This is your financial empowerment.About Ruth:Judgement-free Accountant supporting ambitious women to get informed, stay compliant and drop the shame around their numbers.Where to find Ruth:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-freestone/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruth.freestone.accountantBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/root.ed.accountingResources 👇Reflect, Recharge, and Build a Growth Mindset for 2025: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4d4z9RPV6KpfJqq9K740Gy?si=89f6adfdbef346e3One-to-one mentoring for virtual assistants: https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/mentoring/Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/scale-with-successHiring Associates free guide: ⁠https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/hiring-associatesFree Monthly Metrics Tracker download: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/monthly-metrics-trackerFind us at: ⁠https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/

What if you could build a thriving agency whilst solo parenting and navigating an ADHD diagnosis?

Anna Bunch, founder of Psych VA, turned the chaos of running a practice into a seven-year success story. This proves that the right systems and support are key.In this episode, Anna opens up about her journey from solo VA to agency owner, building Psych VA into a specialist team that supports psychologists and therapists behind the scenes.

She shares the reality of growing a business, revealing how she's created calm systems and multiple revenue streams that keep her agency sustainable.

From finding the right associates to evolving her business model, Anna breaks down what it really takes to scale from doing it all yourself to leading a team, and why reliable admin can be the difference between a practice that survives and one that thrives.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ Build systems that work for your brain, not against it. When you design your business around how you actually work, scaling becomes sustainable rather than overwhelming.

2️⃣ Multiple revenue streams create stability in service-based businesses. Diversification isn't just smart, it's essential for long-term growth.

3️⃣ Scaling means letting go of client work, gradually. The transition from solo VA to agency owner requires releasing the day-to-day client tasks you once did yourself.

If you're thinking about expanding your VA business or building a team, start by asking yourself: what would become possible if I stopped doing everything myself? Map out one task you could delegate this week, and take the first step towards building the sustainable, scalable business you deserve.

About Anna:

Anna is the founder of Psych VA, a specialist team supporting psychologists and therapists behind the scenes. She built the business while solo parenting and navigating a later ADHD diagnosis, so she understands the pressure of running a practice without the right support. Now seven years in, Anna has grown Psych VA into a sustainable agency with multiple income streams, focused on calm systems, reliable admin and helping clinicians keep their clinics running smoothly.

Where to find Anna:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

Check out 'Dream Big Plan Smart' (episode 5)

Resources 👇

Check out our business mentoring service

Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations

Hiring Associates free guide

Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download

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:

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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:

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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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