Blog – Page 22 – VA Training Academy®

Dream Killers and how you can avoid them

8th January 2026

Starting a VA business is exhilarating, but not everyone will share your enthusiasm. Dream Killers, fueled by their own insecurities and fears, can sabotage your progress through subtle tactics or outright negativity. This post helps you identify these individuals, understand their motives, and implement a no-nonsense strategy to protect your professional goals and maintain momentum.

Setting up a VA business whilst employed

5th January 2026

Looking to start your own VA business can feel like a mountain to climb, especially when you’re still working an employed role. You need the stability and the monthly salary to fund the dream, but you also want the time to actually build it. Juggling the two can leave you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and if I am honest exhausted but remember it is not forever.

Work-life integration: how to achieve it

29th December 2025

Stop struggling with work-life balance and discover the power of work-life integration. Learn how to alleviate “parent guilt,” set flexible boundaries, and create a synergy between your VA business and family life.

Redundancy – coping with change

28th November 2025

This article was written by Carmen MacDougall, previous owner of VACT. Carmen MacDougall came from a corporate background as a PA and Office Manager before establishing her VA business after redundancy. She went on to establish herself as one of the leading trainers on setting up and running a successful Virtual Assistant business through The VA Coaching and Training Company www.vact.co.uk using her own experience as well as her NLP and coaching skills, and has trained many award winning VAs in her time. Carmen retired from the VA industry in 2015 and The VA Coaching and Training Company became part of VACT Limited.

A Strategy for Preparing for a Successful Discovery Call

28th November 2025

Stop losing high-value clients because of low confidence or weak messaging. This is a straight-talking guide on why your mindset (not your price) is the real problem. We cut through the ‘what ifs’ and show you the exact shift needed to articulate your unique value, take control of discovery calls, and stop being compared to cheaper VAs.

Nervous about Networking – don’t be!

28th November 2025

Are you worried about sounding “salesy” when networking? Stop! I share a direct, no-nonsense approach: Your authentic passion for your business is your best tool. Learn the confidence mindset shift—it’s not all about you—and get practical UK icebreakers that work. Ready to stop guessing and start growing?

Blogging – How to create great content

28th November 2025

I thought I would share with you some useful tips on how to generate great content for your blog. In the previous blogging posts we have covered headlines and why it is important that you are blogging but sometimes it can be hard to continually create new content for your site.

How to choose a VA training company

20th November 2025

The market is saturated with VA training providers, and frankly, it’s noisy out there. So, how do you cut through the waffle and find a course that actually delivers? In this post, I strip back the sales fluff and give you the practical facts on choosing a training partner. From financial reality checks to why a UK-based trainer is critical for your legal contracts, here is what you actually need to know before you spend a penny.

How to choose a VA Coach / Mentor / Trainer for you

20th November 2025

Choosing the right support to help you set up your Virtual Assistant business is a minefield. In an unregulated industry, anyone can claim to be an expert. So, how do you spot the professionals from the cowboys? I share the brutal truth and the 8 specific questions you must ask the trainers you are talking to.

About AMANDA

Amanda Johnson is not just a mentor; she is a catalyst for transformation in the Virtual Assistant industry, helping professionals not only start but scale their businesses to new heights. Her dedication to her clients’ success is matched only by her commitment to integrity, honesty, and empowerment.