The Sam + Jo VA Show

Shouldering the responsibility of running a business, wearing all the hats and knowing the buck is always going to stop at you can feel heavy. So heavy that it often puts aspiring VAs off from moving from lurker to launcher. Too heavy some days that even well-established virtual assistants feel the temptation of bringing on a partner to lessen the load. On paper, who wouldn’t want to go into business with a ride-or-die biz bestie who will always have your back? Imagine having someone at your side to bounce around ideas, keep you motivated & inspired, do all the things you aren't great at, and who is as excited and committed to the business as you are! Sounds like a bloody dream ... right? For anyone considering entering a business partnership, we urge you to listen to this episode first. You’ll learn: The conversations you must have before going into business with someone.The alternatives that will provide you with what you are seeking.The parts of Jo’s failed business partnership you’ve never heard. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

It’s real talk time! Yessiree, it’s time to share some of our biggest biz “icks” as virtual assistant coaches, mentors and business owners. Some of these icks are instant turn-offs; our personal deal breakers. Others however aren’t as black and white as we initially thought they'd be prior to hitting record. But whether you agree with our Ick List or not, there’s no shying away from the fact that if they are on our ick radar, then some will also be your potential clients’ icks too. In this episode you’ll learn: The icks that have some potential clients running for the hills.The two icks that will offend you.Jo’s unexpected ick that had Sam SHOOK! Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

Some days social media seems like one massive highlight reel of gorgeous influencer-esq biz owners, working part-time hours from their spotless all-white WFH offices, who in their spare time enjoy baking with their well behaved cute AF children and make money while sleeping soundly in their super king sized beds alongside their super king sized partners 😉 And you know what they say about highlight reels? They’re a bunch of baloney, that's what! They only showcase one side of a much bigger, more complex story. We reckon it’s time for us all to get comfortable sharing the lows as much as the highs. ‘Cos this is real life and real life is not always sunshine and rainbows. So it’s time to share some not so bright and shiny things about us. In this episode you’ll learn: The online content that makes us feel like shit.How to not get sucked in by big numbers and big results.Our most recent failures and facepalms 🤦‍♀️🤦 Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

We want to preface this episode by apologising to our American listeners😉 It’s time to talk all things … stock photos. In particular: Why we hate them.Why your leads are being put off by them.The only time you can get away with using them.What you can use instead of them.The things to look out for if you have no other choice but to use them. It may seem like a funny thing for us to get our knickers in a knot about, but if you only knew how many leads you’re losing cos you’re hiding behind cheesy, off brand, boring, unauthentic stock photos 😭 Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

Dude! There is no ‘easier’. There’s also no ‘quicker’, ‘faster’ or ‘better’ (in case you were wondering that too). Every aspiring virtual assistant is different. You have different skills, experience, personality types, available working hours and financial responsibilities. So instead of asking us which pathway is easier, ask yourself which are you better suited to? And if you don’t know, then we’ve made it SUPER easy for you to find out! In this episode you’ll learn: The differences between being a sub-contractor and being a freelancer.The pros and cons of both sub-contractor and freelancer pathways.Why you may assume the sub-contractor route is easier and quicker.How to find out which pathway you’re best suited to. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

On paper your business looks great! You’re fully booked (or close to it), your bank balance isn’t looking too shabby and you may even be growing a team … It’s easy from the outside looking in for other virtual assistants to assume you’re successful, on top of things and freaking loving life! But the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that you really want to love your business, but you’ve found yourself working ALL the hours, your mental and physical health is suffering, you’re finding it difficult to maintain boundaries and you may have even started to resent some of your more ‘difficult’ clients. It's a situation we're all too familiar with, so we’re here to tell you how you got yourself in this situation (cos yeah, this one's on you) and the exact steps you need to take to turn things around. In this episode you’ll learn: What to look at in your business in order to fall back in love with it.Why it’s the people-pleasing VAs amongst us that find themselves in this situation.Why gold plating is costing you money.The boundaries to hold and courageous conversations needed to maintain your health. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

Hey there VA Agency owners👋 Have you ever considered incentivising your team members with fixed fees instead of hourly rates? There are so many benefits to both you and your team member that it Just. Makes. Sense! But there are some clear dos and do nots to making it work well so that everyone involved is as happy as Ken hanging out in his Mojo Dojo Casa House. In this episode you’ll learn: The benefits of fixed fees for you AND your sub-contractor.How fixed fees can work for client facing AND non-client facing sub-contractors.When fixed fees DON’T work. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

There are a few pathway options aspiring virtual assistants can take, one of which is very uncommon. Why? Because skipping straight to ‘Agency Owner’ is not for the faint hearted, and you’ll need a very particular set of skills, skills that you will have acquired over time in your corporate 9-5. In this episode you’ll learn: Who can skip straight to ‘Agency Owner’.What your role would look like as an ‘Agency Owner’.What you need in place if you’re thinking about skipping straight to ‘Agency Owner’.What can go wrong when skipping straight to ‘Agency Owner’. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo 

We're officially dedicating this episode to all the admin superstars out there wondering whether their skills and experience are enough to move into the VA space. Spoiler alert: WE’RE 99% SURE THEY ARE! In this episode you’ll learn: Why downplaying your skills & experience as an admin support is doing you a disservice.The transferable skills that will make you a standout, in-demand VA.To celebrate your generalist VA status – cos niching isn’t for everyone straight off the bat.How you can ‘sell’ your admin skills and experiences to potential clients. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

What are you putting up with? Is your chair as wonky as Sam’s? Is the copy on your website not converting leads to clients? Maybe you’ve got an underperforming team member you’ve been avoiding having to deal with? It's time to say goodbye to not only those niggly little daily annoyances, but also the elephant in the room issues that can no longer be avoided. 'Cos the start of a new year is a great time to identify where you’re going to put your energy in to make substantial changes in your business! In this episode you’ll learn: The reason you’ve been putting up with shitty equipment, tools, clients and team members.How to plan for upgrades in your business.Why avoiding tough conversations is harming your business. Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner? Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here. Sam + Jo xo

“But it’s just so hard for VAs right now!” “Man, it’s really tough finding clients – no one is hiring!” “It’s a slow time of year for sure”. NOPE! Stop it! It’s cold hard truth time lovelies. It’s NOT slow. Clients ARE hiring. We know first-hand this to be true. We’ve got evidence to back this up. So enough of the excuses. If you’re finding it hard right now, it’s certainly not due to the lack of clients looking to outsource. In this episode you’ll learn: Why it’s easy to use all the reasons under the sun as to why you aren’t fully booked.What you can do to turn things around.Why this time of year is often the BUSIEST for successful virtual assistants. Be your own boss, replace your 9-5 income and get the freedom and flexibility you’ve been searching for. Launch in 30 Days is the step-by-step course that’ll see you launch your dream VA business and land your first-ever *well paying* client in just 30 days. Join the next intake of Launch in 30 Days! Are you ready for the next iteration of your business? The one where you work less hours, make more money, have a clear vision of where you’re going and can safely say you’ve kicked overwhelm and burnout to the curb? Consider the Scale It! Mastermind your shortcut to efficiently, painlessly and sustainably scaling your VA business to align with your version of success. Join the exclusive mastermind for established virtual assistants today! Get a 2024 VA Business Planner - an invaluable resource in your business toolkit, disguised as a yearly planner PS: If you're unsure as to which pathway you're more suited to right now, then we'd recommend you do our What's Your Virtual Assistant Pathway Quiz Sam + Jo xo .

We’ve coached some of the most successful virtual assistant business owners across New Zealand and Australia but Bri McDonald’s fast-track journey is one for the books! A fortnight after completing Launch in 30 Days Bri had onboarded 4 clients. Days later she resigned from her 9-5, and within a month she was fully booked and had replaced to her 9-5 income. But the icing on the cake …. 3 months after launching her brand spanking new VA business, Bri was announced as a finalist for Top Performing Newcomer at the 2023 NZ Virtual Assistant Awards! See what we mean?! The action taking required to reach this type of success, this quickly, is next level and to say we’re proud mumma hens is an understatement. In this episode you’ll learn: How Bri was able to quit her 9-5 just two weeks after launching her VA biz.The course Bri invested in that led to her replacing her 9-5 income in just 3 months.What Bri would do differently … cos it hasn’t been all rainbows and unicorns!Why having a supportive partner in your corner makes ALL the difference. Connect with Bri here to find out more about The Admin Place’s top class virtual assistant services. LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Just starting out on your VA journey? Join us in February’s intake of Launch in 30 Days! Places are limited, so get on the waitlist and grab yourself a wee discount while you’re at it. Sam + Jo xo

Are you at risk of losing it all by having all your eggs in one basket? Do you have any back up eggs if the worst was to happen and you lost the majority of your revenue in one big ugly hit? You might be riding high right now, fully booked with one or two great-fit, chunky clients, but we want you to be fully aware of the risks around putting your all your client eggs in just one or two baskets. We want you to have a Plan B so when the unexpected happens (cos trust us - it can happen!), you’re not thrown into panic mode, desperate to find clients. In this episode you’ll learn: The risk involved in having a client providing you with 50% or more of your total revenue.The ideal client hour/revenue split to ensure you don’t lose it all.What to do if your client eggs are currently all in one risky AF basket. Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo

We’re wrapping up 2023 with this look back at the episodes from the past 12 months that made meaningful impact and changed the way virtual assistants do business. In this episode, we’re sharing stories sent in by our awesome listeners on which episodes packed the biggest punch and why. Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo 

You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of having an authentic and genuine personal brand as a virtual assistant in order to attract clients. But what happens if you don’t like the thought of sharing everything with everyone on social media in order to be truly ‘authentic’? Or what if you’ve never given any thought to creating a unique brand voice for your business and don’t know where to start? And for those VAs with teams - you may be wondering if you need to show up differently now you’ve grown your team? Is it time to switch your personal brand to an impersonal one? Communications Consultant and Brand Designer Courtney Haines joins us on the podcast to talk about how to navigate showing up authentically in order to build trust, whilst still maintaining energy and protecting boundaries. ‘Cos showing up ‘authentically’ may not mean what you think it means. In this episode you’ll learn: Why personal branding and a finding your brand voice is important for virtual assistants.How to use AI to create content without losing your brand voice.How to transition your brand voice from freelancer to agency owner.Whether or not you really need to be active on social media to find clients. To find out more about how you can get personalised communication and branding support, connect with Courtney here: Website LinkedIn Instagram Courtney’s Personality Trifecta Template here! Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo

Are you cruising into the Christmas/New Year break assuming no one is hiring virtual assistants this time of year? Sure, there are industries (especially in this part of the world) that shut their doors for an extended summer break. But that doesn’t mean business owners aren't scrolling through social media, pondering the year ahead, dreaming about what they want to outsource and stalking who they’re going to put feelers out to. And if you’re thinking virtual assistants aren’t signing up and onboarding new clients right up to the Xmas break – you’d be wrong. Don’t get caught up in someone else’s holiday slump. There’s work for the taking in December and January, so if you’ve got spaces to fill now is NOT the time to disappear! In this episode you’ll learn: The holiday myth we don’t want you to buy into!How to protect your holiday leave by automating your discovery call bookings.How to ensure you’re keeping leads warm during the holiday season. Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.  Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo

With Christmas fast approaching now is the time to be thinking about how you’ll be saying ‘thanks’ to your clients for choosing you over all the other VAs they could be working with. But before you let loose on the internet with your credit card, we want to talk with you about keeping to budget and making it personal, because no matter how big or small your budget is this year, it’s the thought that counts. In this episode you’ll learn: Why tiered client gifting is smart gifting.How to decide on your Christmas gift budget.The cheeky gift idea that will have you blushing.Our favourite gifts guaranteed to put a smile on your client's dial. Woo-Woo Box Knight Inspired Yoga and Oils Virtual Print Grounded Minds B1G1 Huski Good George Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar Girls Get Off Pressie Box Edible Blooms  Celebration Box Follow Your Legend Bento Ninja Trees That Count Tree Gifts New Zealand Zealong Tea Forget Me Not Journals Peg Creative Caliwoods Metal Bird Hinza Bag Champagne Direct Wine Time Bite & Delight The Cookie Collective Happy gift giving! Sam + Jo xo

We’ve talked about burnout in the past, but it’s never been when we’ve both been experiencing it in real time. This episode is raw and vulnerable. Recording it was as uncomfortable as wearing a turtleneck in the middle of a heat wave. But as much as we both wanted desperately to skulk away and hide under the blankets instead of hitting record, we know it’s important for us to share more than just our highlights with you. Because burnout is not to be taken lightly. In this episode you’ll learn: The signs you may also be experiencing burnout.Why sometimes ‘pushing through’ isn’t the answer.The gratitude rants that help raise our frequency. Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo

Thankyou Payroll does business beyond profit and in this episode their CEO David Morrison shares the sustainable framework that allows them to ‘do good’ both close to home and at a national level, and how they measure the success in three key areas: People, Planet and Profit. In this episode you’ll learn: How you can integrate ‘doing good’ into your everyday operations.The impact integrating social impact can have on your business.What the triple bottom line is and why it’s important.Why communicating your paying it forward initiatives has impact. Connect with David here to find out more about Thankyou Payroll's commitment to paying it forward. LinkedIn Website Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo 

If you’re a sub-contractor working for a VA business who's trying to justify cutting out the ‘middle man’ in order to work directly for a client you're supporting … then we’ve got some cold hard truths for you. Because no matter the reasons, excuses, stories you're using to validate your decision, stealing clients is not the answer. Is putting your reputation on the line for a short term gain really worth the risk? In this episode you’ll learn: The serious ramifications of stealing clients.Why the client technically isn’t YOUR client.The importance of reading the fine print of your contract.What to do if a client wants to work with you directly. Just starting out on your VA journey? Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client. Are you an established VA looking to scale? Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today! Sam + Jo xo