Blog – Page 37 – VA Training Academy®

An Interview with Becky Adams – Your Productive PA

25th March 2020

Becky Adams, founder of Your Productive PA and VACT Community Manager, shares her journey from the Royal Navy to running a thriving VA business. Becky discusses the importance of professional training, the value of associate work, and how a military background helps her maintain a direct, no-nonsense approach with her clients. She provides an honest look at overcoming self-doubt and the reality of balancing family life with a growing team.

An Interview with Linda Semeins-Allen – Clever Pins

19th February 2020

Former primary school teacher Linda Semeins-Allen shares how she built Clever Pins, a specialist Pinterest marketing agency, while living overseas. From navigating international moves to mastering a high-growth visual search engine, Linda discusses the power of niching down and why investing in the VA Momentum Course was the turning point for her global business.

An Interview with Natalie Andrews, NA Business Services

12th February 2020

“Some call me the pocket rocket—I’m a trained dancer but was born to be a VA.” Natalie Andrews’ journey from a freelance PA for an international choreographer to the founder of a thriving associate-led agency is a masterclass in resilience. Having navigated the “lows” of postnatal depression and the “highs” of a growing business, Natalie shares why “who you know” is just as important as “what you know.” Discover how she traded admin time for her first logo, her secret to surviving “rollercoaster” days, and her past life working with stars like Paul Whitehouse and Cat Deeley.

An Interview with Anne Clarkson, Strawberry Office

5th February 2020

Anne Clarkson, founder of Strawberry Office, shares her journey of building a Virtual Assistant business as a military spouse. From payroll and hotel management to supporting rural businesses, Anne discusses the challenges of balancing a side hustle with full time employment and why high quality training is vital for gaining the confidence to succeed.

An Interview with Emma Boatman, Boatman Admin Services

29th January 2020

“I distinctly remember being in floods of tears over a template letter.” After 14 years in clinical research, Emma Boatman turned a difficult career transition into a thriving business. Now heading into her fourth year, Emma shares the reality of rebuilding her confidence, the “ugly” side of missing business boundaries, and how a charity skydive proved everyone’s assumptions about her wrong. Discover why she prefers podcasts over “dull” business books and how she balances professional admin with a global travel passion.

An interview with Joanne Manville, Joanne Manville Virtual Assistance

22nd January 2020

Award-winning VA Joanne Manville shares her journey from NHS Executive Assistant to leading a team of ten. Learn why she views herself as a strategic business partner rather than just a PA, and her honest advice on the importance of investing in coaching early to accelerate business growth.

An Interview with Julia Ngapo, Omnia Business Management

8th January 2020

From her beginnings Googling “freelance admin” in a parking lot to becoming a seasoned Marketing Director and business founder, Julia shares the highs and lows of her journey. Discover how she overcame self-doubt, transitioned from Virtual Assistant to a Holistic Coach, and why she believes in leading from the inside out.

An Interview with Emma Conway-Hyde, The Umbrella Tree

18th December 2019

Emma Conway-Hyde of The Umbrella Tree shares her transition from a stressful corporate PA role to a successful Virtual Assistant business. With 25 years of experience, Emma discusses overcoming burnout, the importance of investment in mentoring, and why she is happy to be a secret introvert in a busy industry.

An Interview with Jodye Laxton

4th December 2019

Jodye Laxton, founder of Beyond Admin, shares her journey from stay-at-home mum to successful business owner in the engineering sector. Discover how she balanced family commitments with professional growth, the importance of investing in the VA Momentum Course, and why self-doubt can be a powerful motivator when building a business with integrity.

An Interview with Ellen Williams, Ministry VA

19th November 2019

Meet Ellen Williams, founder of Ministry VA and a graduate of the VA Mastery Course. Ellen shares her journey from corporate learning and development to launching a successful VA business focused on giving clients back their time for fun.

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.