Blog – Page 36 – VA Training Academy®

An Interview with Rachel Hands – RHVA

22nd July 2020

Rachel Hands, founder of RHVA and award-winning VA, shares her honest journey from a Customer Service Manager to a successful “doer of stuff” for her clients. Rachel discusses the power of a referral-based business, the flexibility required when parenting a child with Down’s Syndrome, and why success is defined by your own terms, not someone else’s.

An interview with Barbara Moorer of High Touch Virtual Solutions

15th July 2020

“Last year, I was out of the UK more than I was in it.” After three decades in the corporate banking world, Barbara Moore decided to trade the daily grind for a “High Touch” lifestyle that allowed her to work from the Grenadines for four months at a time. By balancing a full-time job with the VACT Mastery Course, Barbara built a foundation that now supports a thriving associate team and has inspired her to write her first ebook. Discover how she overcame the “hefty investment” hesitation, her secret to brainstorming through mind mapping, and why she believes you must “allow yourself to dare” to see what you are truly capable of.

How to cold pitch for work (the right way)

18th June 2020

Is cold pitching a necessary evil or a secret weapon for your VA business? While nurturing warm leads is always the gold standard, there are times when your sales funnel runs dry or you’re just starting out and need to make a splash. Cold pitching—contacting targeted strangers to offer your services—can be intimidating and tricky to navigate legally, but when done with a personalized, problem-solving approach, it can open doors to your dream clients. This guide explores whether you should hit “send” on that cold email, the essential questions to ask yourself first, and a step-by-step checklist to ensure your pitch stands out in a crowded inbox.

An interview with Louise Mackie – LM-VA & Co Ltd

17th June 2020

Louise Mackie of LM-VA & Co Ltd is a prime example of what true dedication looks like. Balancing a young family and a day job, Louise worked tirelessly to transition into a full-time Virtual Assistant. Now a successful business owner in North Wales, she shares how she built a flexible career that allows her to prioritise family while delivering high-level support to her diverse client base.

5 steps you need to take for better selling results

11th June 2020

s your messaging coherent? Is your pricing accessible? If you aren’t seeing the sales results you want, it’s time to look at your process from the client’s perspective. Follow these 5 steps to refine your offers and turn your VA business into a client-attracting machine.

An Interview with Sandy Hearn – Elite PA Solutions

3rd June 2020

Sandy Hearn, founder of Elite PA Solutions, shares her journey from being a sole provider and “workaholic” to leading a thriving team of associates. A graduate of the VA Training Academy Sandy discusses the reality of building a business on a tight budget, the necessity of taking calculated risks, and how she transitioned from being an undervalued employee to a multi award-winning business owner.

An Interview with June Whiteman – Virtually There

27th May 2020

June Whiteman, founder of Virtually There, was the first Virtual Assistant to establish on the Isle of Man. A graduate of the VA Momentum Course, June shares how her corporate PA background and a leap of faith led her to specialise in supporting Independent and Non-Executive Directors.

An interview with Fliss Murdoch – Your Virtual Angel

29th April 2020

Meet Fliss Murdoch, the tenacious founder of Your Virtual Angel. In this interview, Fliss shares her high energy journey from swimming teacher to business owner. She discusses the importance of ethical alignment, the reality of the 3 am wobbles, and why she believes the worst day being self employed beats the best day in a corporate role.

An Interview with Nancy Benn – Direct PA Services

22nd April 2020

Nancy Benn of Direct PA Services shares her journey of building a successful VA business while living as a digital nomad in Spain. From redundancy to international freedom, Nancy discusses the importance of quality training, overcoming procrastination, and the reality of working from the beach. Her story is a testament to the flexibility and resilience required to thrive in the virtual assistant industry.

An Interview with Penny Cooke – Virtual Ms Friday

15th April 2020

Penny Cooke of Virtual Ms Friday joins us to discuss her transition from a thirty year office career to running her own successful VA business. With a refreshing dose of “stubbornness” and a keen sense of humour, Penny shares how she overcame the fear of failure and “FOBFO” (Fear of Being Found Out) to build a life of flexibility. From investing her redundancy to finally getting her dream dog, Bella, Penny’s story is a masterclass in tenacity and the importance of professional networking.

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.