VA Interviews

An Interview with Lindsey Brown Burden

10th October 2014

“I actually didn’t know what a VA was until I started looking at setting up my business!” From managing the heart of Salisbury as a City Centre Manager to running graphic design studios from the other side of the globe, Lindsey Brown Burden’s journey into the VA world was a happy accident fueled by high-level connections. Discover why she believes “people buy from people,” how she balances the “difficult” juggle of motherhood with the ease of professional life, and why she finds beauty in the most unlikely part of a city’s skyline.

An Interview with Sandra Barter of Your Business Helper

26th September 2014

“I wasn’t going to return to working 7-7 as a Finance Director.” When her son was born in 2010, this qualified accountant decided to trade the corporate boardroom for a business that fueled her passion for charities and female entrepreneurship. By combining her financial expertise with a new role as an Online Business Manager, she became the “approachable sounding board” her clients desperately needed. Discover why she traded a group course for 1-2-1 VIP training, how she helps podcasters stay on track, and the surprising musical instrument she used to play in a band.

VA Friday Feature: Angela Clark of Valued Support Services

8th August 2014

“Saying ‘no’ has been an interesting challenge.” After four years as a full-time mum, this VA decided to reclaim her work-life balance by launching a business tailored for FTSE 100 consultants and Non-Executive Directors. From “researching things to death” to having three lightbulb moments in a single webinar, she shares how specialized training gave her the clarity to stop bending over backwards and start building a brand. Discover why she wishes she’d started networking sooner and the musical talent she’s kept hidden from even her closest friends.

An interview with Phillippa Goodwin of The Essential PA

1st August 2014

“If you think you can, then you can.” From managing life for Noel Edmonds to winning National VA of the Year, Phillippa’s journey is a masterclass in determination. After leaving a career that no longer served her in 2008, she built a team of 11 accredited PAs by refusing to be dismissed by the “typing pool” stereotypes of the corporate world. Discover how she turned “invisible” networking into a thriving Limited Company, why she views other VAs as colleagues rather than competitors, and the exact systems she put in place to ensure “Essential PA” was built to last.

An Interview with Maggie Johnson, Executive Virtual Support

25th July 2014

“It’s a leap of faith—take it!” After returning from maternity leave in 2010, this VA decided to trade her employee badge for the founder’s title at EVS. From managing overseas conventions to training for a triathlon, she proves that being a Virtual Assistant is about more than just admin—it’s about specialized expertise and the grit to “inspect what you expect.” Discover why she believes you shouldn’t “trouble trouble until it troubles you,” and why branching out from a single niche was her biggest business lesson to date.

An interview with Alexia Padgham – Your VA

11th July 2014

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” In 2006, Alexia turned a redundancy into a “light bulb moment” that led to her winning VA of the Year just one year later. From managing complex itineraries for FTSE 100 directors to the difficult decision to quit a lucrative on-site role to go 100% virtual, Alexia shares the realism and mindset required to build a sustainable business. Discover why she treats her VA training like “driving lessons” for her career and how she balances high-level executive support with a passion for classical guitar.

An interview with Michelle Dowling – Marbles Business Support

4th July 2014

“In some capacity throughout my whole life, I had been a VA—it was just under different job titles.” After her second redundancy, Michelle Dowling took control of her future, turning a “light bulb moment” from an Amazon book suggestion into Marbles Business Support. From mobile DJ to Health & Safety Auditor, Michelle’s diverse background proves that personality and energy are just as vital as a polished CV. Read how she overcame a fear of networking to become a “business connector” and why she believes you don’t need all your ducks in a row to start.

An Interview with Jacqueline Long of WhateverWhenever

27th June 2014

“Train your brain to think of yourself as a consultant, rather than an employee.” After leaving the City, Jacqueline discovered that while she had the elite PA skills, running a business was a completely different ball game. From winning a ‘VA of the Year’ runner-up award within eight months to navigating the tricky waters of value-based pricing, Jacqueline shares how she built a proactive, high-level executive support business. Discover why she ditches the self-help books in favor of real-world tools and why “saying yes to everything” was her biggest early challenge.

An Interview with Stella Gooch

20th June 2014

“The VA-Client relationship is almost like a marriage—the two partners must complement one another.” After 12 years focused on family, this VA decided it was time to get her career back. From managing real-time emergency social media during local floods to overcoming a “pet hate” for public speaking, her journey is a masterclass in resilience. Discover why she believes the UK VA community is set to explode and why “faceless” online training was never an option for her.

An interview with Karen Blackburn of Karen Black VA

13th June 2014

From organizing private screenings in London to coordinating high-profile paparazzi shoots, Karen Black’s journey as a Virtual Assistant is anything but ordinary. After launching in 2012 with the support of industry peers, Karen has built a business that thrives on variety and determination. In this interview, she shares why she never fears competition, the “invaluable” business lessons she learned through professional training, and how a background in Italian football commentary adds to her unique professional flair.

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.