Running My Business – My Way!

Running Your Business Your Way: Lessons from a Sage Mentor

In 2016, I was at a crossroads. I was looking for a “safe place” to discuss building and growing my business without the ego or politics often found in the industry. That search led me to Judith Morgan. Judith was a business coach and mentor with what I can only describe as a “sage business brain”.

Though Judith is sadly no longer with us, her impact on my business and the way I coach my own students at the VA Training Academy remains as strong as ever. One of the most significant lessons she taught me was the importance of running my business my way.

The Power of the Right Partnership

As a military veteran, I appreciated that Judith “got” me. She understood my directness and my background. We were a perfect match in terms of our profiles: I am a “Lord” (detailed and organised) and Judith was a “Creator” (visionary). In business, Lords need Creators to help them see the bigger picture.

I sought her out to:

• Brainstorm brilliance: To have a space where ideas could be tested without judgment.

• Maintain accountability: To ensure my goals stayed aligned with my intentions.

• Receive guidance: To benefit from her 40 years of experience across various industries.

Judith had a unique talent for excavating personal values and linking them to business desires. It was powerful work that moved beyond simple spreadsheets and into the core of why we do what we do.

Rejecting the Template

When we start a business, we often feel pressured to conform. We think there is a “correct” way to market, a “standard” way to manage clients, or a specific “look” our business should have.

Judith taught me that you don’t have to conform. As long as your business is safe and legal, and you can sell a service that people want to buy, the rest is up to you. You must run your business in the way that is right for you and your family. For me, as a mum to two boys, that flexibility was non-negotiable.

The only person who can define success for you is you. Stop trying to fit into someone else’s definition of a “successful VA”.

Be You, Be Awesome

This philosophy is exactly why I adopted the mantra “Be You Be Awesome”. It is the foundation of everything I teach.

When aspiring VAs ask me how to build a successful business, I always start with the same questions:

1. What does success look like to you?

2. What are you actually trying to achieve?

If your business doesn’t serve your life, it isn’t working.

Years ago, I remember struggling to write a “Year in Review” blog post because I felt I should do it. I procrastinated for weeks. Eventually, I asked myself, “What would Judith say?” The answer was clear: if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. I didn’t write the post, and my business didn’t collapse. In fact, it thrived because I stopped wasting energy on things that didn’t align with my values.

Honouring the Legacy

While Judith’s own blog and her book, Your Biz – Your Way, were staples for many of us, her true legacy is the confidence she instilled in business owners to trust their own intuition.

I am proud to carry that “no-nonsense” approach forward. Success isn’t about being “pink and fluffy” or following a trend. It’s about being honest, direct, and authentic to who you are.

How are you running your business your way this year? I’d love to hear what success looks like on your terms.

Note from Amanda:

I miss Judith, she died a couple of years ago – but I often catch myself thinking about her – a movie she would have loved – the new Lee Childs or Harlan Coben novel.  She was an amazing business coach – someone who held space for her clients, no judgement – just a safe space to talk. I often think “what would Judith say?”