Blog – Page 34 – VA Training Academy®

How to prepare your VA business for 2021

28th December 2020

s your VA business ready to hit the ground running, or are you just limping across the finish line? The end of the year is a “double-edged sword” for Virtual Assistants—half of us are drowning in client holiday prep, while the other half are watching the calendar wind down. But a year-end review is only valuable if it fuels a concrete action plan. From reconnecting with your “Big Why” to mapping out your first 90-day goals, it’s time to move beyond simple reflection. Discover how to use this transitional period to tidy your physical and mental space, get ahead on content, and strategically position your business for its most successful year yet.

An Interview with Melody Sadé Abeni

18th November 2020

From Occupational Therapy to Boardroom Administration, Melody Sadé Abeni’s journey is one of bold pivots and high-level specialisation. She shares the reality of managing a “niche” business and why there is no such thing as the perfect time to start.

An Interview with Jennifer Chamberlin

11th November 2020

From Deloitte in Paris to building a multilingual VA empire, Jennifer Chamberlin’s story is one of resilience and international expertise. She discusses the transition from employee to business owner and why “knowing your why” is the secret to staying the course.

Opportunity Knocks at 50 – Guest blog by Kay Lundy

29th October 2020

Are you over 50 and considering a career change? Don’t let the “young entrepreneur” myth hold you back. At 50, you possess the resourcefulness, logic, and professional network to outperform the competition. Learn how to redeploy your lifetime of administrative expertise into a profitable VA business.

An interview with Stefanie Simpson

29th October 2020

From a 20-year admin career to supporting health and wellbeing practitioners, Stefanie Simpson discusses the reality of the “hustle,” surviving a pandemic-induced quiet spell, and why trusting your gut is a business requirement.

An Interview with Sara Roddis – Sara Roddis VA Services

21st October 2020

From estate agent to specialized VA, Sara Roddis discusses the “aha” moment that changed her career, the pitfalls of trying to build a business on the cheap, and how she found her niche supporting online coaches.

An Interview with Charlie Lester – The Arts VA

14th October 2020

Charlie Lester spent years working on world-class productions for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd before launching The Arts VA. She shares her journey of finding a niche in the creative sector and the reality of trading the West End for business ownership.

How to generate business as a Virtual Assistant

9th October 2020

Most Virtual Assistants get stuck in the cycle of trading hours for dollars, but what happens when a client isn’t ready for a full package yet? To truly scale, you need to think outside the box. From passive income to strategic “freebies,” here is how to create multiple entry points that turn strangers into long-term clients.

An Interview with Jennie Rook – PA Solution Services

7th October 2020

Jennie Rook, founder of PA Solution Services, brings a wealth of international experience to the VA industry. From winning the National Student Personal Assistant Award in the UK to establishing herself as a pioneering Virtual Assistant in Paphos, Cyprus, Jennie shares her “signature style” of support. She offers a masterclass in resilience, having navigated the Cypriot banking collapse, and provides no-nonsense advice on skills over logos.

An interview with Heather Bridgman – Bridge VA Solutions

30th September 2020

Heather Bridgman traded manual typewriters and corporate redundancies for the Hampshire coast and business ownership. By focusing on traditional PA values and “old school” excellence, she has built a VA business that bypasses the stress of the 9-to-5.

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.