VA Interviews

An Interview with Karen Broughton – KB Virtual Services

16th September 2020

Karen Broughton transitioned from a 21-year corporate career to launching KB Virtual Services in 2015. From overcoming imposter syndrome to posing for charity calendars in the snow, Karen shares the honest reality of building a VA business.

An Interview with Alicja Teagle – Shift-MVA

9th September 2020

Alicja Teagle, founder of Shift-MVA, offers a refreshingly honest take on the reality of self-employment. From running a ski shop in the French Alps to managing projects for multinational corporations, Alicja shares how she built a business that supports the ski industry while providing the flexibility she craved. Her story highlights the importance of resilience, the value of transferable skills, and why “Just Doing It” is often the best strategy for success.

An Interview with Hazel Weyman – Busy Keys Virtual Assistant

2nd September 2020

Hazel Weyman, founder of Busy Keys, shares her refreshing journey of building a Virtual Assistant business with zero capital. From DIY business cards to finding the perfect niche, Hazel demonstrates how a rural lifestyle and motherhood can successfully coexist with a thriving, flexible career built on grit and “lightbulb ideas.”

An Interview with Terri Homyard – Clever Cloud Business Support

27th August 2020

Terri Homyard, founder of Clever Cloud Business Support, shares how she combined a background in admin with specialized bookkeeping and payroll qualifications to create a versatile Virtual Assistant business. A graduate of the VA Training Academy, Terri discusses the grit required to build a business with zero savings, the freedom of being present for her children’s milestones, and the importance of treating business ownership as a distinct skill set.

An Interview with Rona Campbell – Cloudberry Services

19th August 2020

“As long as I have my phone and laptop, I can work from anywhere in the world.” From a “furious” graduate told she lacked experience to an award-winning VA supporting top-tier clients, Rona Campbell has built Cloudberry Services on the pillars of reliability and authenticity. Discover how she transitioned her former boss into her first anchor client, the “robust” process she uses to vet associates, and why she is currently writing a letter to her future self in 2025. Plus, find out which “well-known MP” she once supported in the heart of London.

An Interview with Michelle Molyneux – MJM Virtual Solutions

12th August 2020

Michelle Molyneux, founder of MJM Virtual Solutions, demonstrates how a Virtual Assistant business can be tailored to fit around a full-time career and significant caring responsibilities. A graduate of the VA Momentum Course, Michelle shares her honest perspective on the “side-hustle” journey, the importance of professional boundaries, and why she believes in “Just Doing It” despite the fears that come with entrepreneurship.

An Interview with Pippa Mell – Diamond Office Support

5th August 2020

Pippa Mell, founder of Diamond Office Support (now Applaud Business Consultancy), is a veteran of the industry with nearly two decades of experience. Pippa shares her journey from “falling into” the VA world as a new mother to successfully managing a business alongside employed roles. Her story is a testament to resilience, showing how a business can evolve from general admin into high-level management and health and safety consultancy.

An interview with Phoebe Scaife – Ruby Moon Virtual Assistant

30th July 2020

Phoebe Scaife, founder of Ruby Moon, shares how she combined a decade of London healthcare experience with her passion for healthy living to launch her Virtual Assistant business. A graduate of the VA Training Academy, Phoebe discusses managing anxiety, the power of networking, and why running active volcanoes is the ultimate reset for a busy business owner.

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.

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.