Booked Out with Bre

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I am opening up the vault to share one of our most powerful and high-impact sessions! We are doing a special "Best Of" series to revisit the conversations that have helped so many women take action, trust themselves, and build successful virtual assistant businesses—and this training on going from doubt to booked out is one you need to hear. I remember recording this while reflecting on my own journey—from earning just $132 in six months to discovering the virtual assistant industry and quickly booking out my business. If you’ve been questioning whether you have enough experience, waiting until you feel confident, or spending more time planning your business than building it, this episode is your loving wake-up call. I’m showing you how to recognize the value of the skills you already have, become visible to potential clients, and build confidence through consistent action. Here is what I dive into during this vault favorite: How to turn your professional, volunteer, and life experience into valuable virtual assistant services. Why you must give yourself permission to own your expertise before clients will believe in it. The simple brain-dump exercise that helps you uncover your most marketable and transferable skills. Why confidence comes from taking action—not thinking, planning, or waiting until you feel ready. How to create your portfolio quickly and use market feedback to improve your messaging and positioning. Why success leaves clues and how studying successful virtual assistants can shorten your learning curve. How to make your business visible without relying entirely on social media. The daily action plan that can help you consistently apply, network, conduct outreach, and book clients. Why getting support and entering rooms where success is normalized can accelerate your growth. You only fail if you quit. Your experience counts, your skills are valuable, and there are business owners actively searching for the support you can provide. Your dream life isn't waiting—you are it. Let’s head into the vault and turn your doubt into booked-out confidence! Episode Outline: From doubt to booked out: Turning uncertainty into confidence and action (02:12) Why the virtual assistant industry creates freedom, flexibility, and meaningful work (03:12) Own what you already know: Recognizing the value of your existing experience (04:03) The brain-dump exercise for identifying your skills, projects, and platforms (04:42) How one student turned volunteer experience into a booked-out VA business (05:13) Transferable skills for teachers: Project management, community management, and client experience (06:33) Giving yourself permission to own your expertise (07:47) The visibility truth: People cannot hire you if they don’t know you exist (08:26) Confidence comes from action—not thinking and planning (09:20) Creating your VA portfolio without overthinking it (09:42) Using market feedback to improve your positioning, services, and applications (10:30) Bre Cain’s journey from earning $132 in six months to booking out her VA business (11:24) “You only fail if you quit”: Trusting the process when results aren’t visible yet (12:07) Market research through business owners and virtual coffee dates with VAs (13:38) Success leaves clues: Studying and learning from people who have what you want (14:27) Normalizing growth, confidence, resilience, and imperfect action (15:20) Why becoming good at business requires being willing to struggle first (16:10) Breaking intimidating actions into smaller, safer steps (17:23) Showing up as the virtual assistant clients want to hire (18:59) How Bre booked a multi-four-figure client in three days without announcing her VA business (21:15) Treating the client-booking process like a job of its own (21:53) Why mentorship and hands-on support can shorten your learning curve (22:31) The daily action plan: Applications, proactive outreach, and virtual coffee dates (24:03) Measuring results and refining the strategies that aren’t working (24:37) Why the demand for skilled virtual assistants continues to grow (25:08) Invitation to the VA Leadership Academy and its $5K-month benchmark (25:54)   Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I am opening up the vault to share one of our most popular and high-impact sessions! We are doing a special "Best Of" series to revisit the conversations that have changed the lives of so many women in our community, and I knew this 90-day virtual assistant roadmap had to be the first one we brought back. I remember recording this when I was reflecting on my own journey—from earning just $132 in six months to hitting $5K in my first full month as a virtual assistant. If you’ve been feeling that itch for something of your own, or if you’ve been overthinking your business name for two weeks (we’ve all been there!), this episode is your wake-up call. I’m walking you through the exact three-phase process to go from "clueless" to "booked out" in record time. Here is what I dive into during this vault favorite: The "Expert from Day One" mindset: Why your professional background means you aren't a "newbie." My 3-Phase Roadmap: Building the foundation, launching your network, and optimizing for scale. The actual math of 5K months: How working just 1.5 to 2 hours a day as a virtual assistant can hit your income goals. Portfolio vs. Resume: Why you need to stop listing the past and start future-pacing your value. The "Body Compass": How to follow what lights you up in the virtual assistant industry instead of doing what you think you "should." Transferable skills: How teachers, nurses, and retail workers can dominate as high-level virtual assistants. Why I hired my first team member before I even felt ready and how that led to a 7-figure brand. I built an empire between school drop-offs and bubble baths, and I want you to know that your dream life isn't waiting—you are it. Let’s head into the vault and get you ready to crush your goals! Episode Outline: Welcome to the VA Vault: Bringing back the 90-day roadmap series (01:18) Bre Cain’s origin story: From $132 total to $5K in a single month (03:08) The overthinking trap: Why perfectionism is the ultimate business killer (04:53) The power of identity: Claiming your role as a virtual assistant before the clients arrive (06:34) Phase 1: The Foundations - Business names, services, and the 5K benchmark (07:54) Virtual Assistant Services: How to turn your existing experience into a 3-5 item menu (09:29) Proof of Concept: Practicing skills in your own business to become an expert (10:44) The Portfolio Secret: Creating something tangible in 24 hours (11:17) Phase 2: Launch and Network - The market research strategy (13:14) Success leaves clues: Why you should study successful virtual assistants (14:47) The Math of 5K: Breaking down hours and rates for 90-day success (12:14) Phase 3: Optimize and Scale - Moving into the CEO identity (16:47) Building for 10K months: Why you must stand for something specific (17:55) The $20 per hour launchpad: Taking opportunities to gain momentum (18:25) Transferable skills for teachers: Project management and client experience (20:11) Transferable skills for nurses: Patient care as high-level operations (21:52) Invitation to the "Take the Leap" Masterclass (22:51) Closing encouragement and how to connect with Bre Cain (24:05) Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.  

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I have the absolute honor and privilege of sitting down with a true legend, Lesley Pyle. Lesley is the founder of HireMyMom, and I truly consider her the "godmother" of the virtual assistant industry. She has been pioneering the work-from-home movement for 30 years—long before "hybrid work" was a buzzword or social media even existed! Lesley shares her incredible story of transitioning from a corporate PR career to becoming a freelance trailblazer after her first daughter was born. We dive into the "old school" days of the industry, where newsletters were printed and licked by hand, and interviews were done over hardlined phones. Lesley’s longevity in this space is a masterclass in reading the market, trusting your gut, and staying committed to a mission that is bigger than yourself.   Here is what I dive into with Lesley: The catalyst that shifted her from a corporate-driven mindset to a "mom on a mission" to work from home. What the day-to-day of a virtual assistant looked like in the 90s (you won’t believe the technology gap!). Why moms are the ultimate business asset due to their innate drive, resourcefulness, and deep appreciation for flexibility. The 20-year evolution of HireMyMom and her "Match.com" vision for connecting talent with founders. Her honest reflections on the struggles of building tech, including finding web developers with true integrity. Where the virtual assistant industry is headed and why the rise of AI actually makes human connection and authenticity more valuable than ever. The role of faith and prayer in sustaining a business for three decades. A fun rapid-fire round where we talk Tex-Mex, skincare, and her favorite business leaders. If you are a virtual assistant or a founder looking to understand the roots of this amazing industry, this conversation is pure gold. Lesley has paved the way for so many of us to have "yes lives" in motherhood, and I am so excited for you to hear her wisdom!   Episode Outline: Introduction: Meet Lesley Pyle, the Godmother of the Virtual Assistant Industry (00:02) Lesley’s Backstory: From Corporate PR to Realizing Daycare Wasn't an Option (01:04) The Early Days: Starting a Virtual Assistant Business Before Social Media and Email (02:49) The Evolution of Home-Based Working Moms and the Birth of HireMyMom (03:20) Virtual Assistant Life in the 90s: Hardlined Phones and Physical Newsletters (05:32) Why Motherhood is the Ultimate Training Ground for Business Owners (07:06) The Invaluable Worth of Freedom and Flexibility for Modern Moms (07:53) Navigating 20 Years of Growth and the Struggle of Web Development (09:19) Launching a Custom Web App in the Age of AI (11:10) The Shift in Hiring: What Companies are Looking for in Virtual Talent Today (13:02) Specialization and Niche Roles within the Virtual Assistant Industry (15:08) Crystal Ball: Where the Virtual Assistant Industry is Headed Next (16:53) AI vs. Human Connection: Why Authentic VAs are the Future (18:18) The Secret to Longevity: Prayer and Resilience through the Valleys of Business (20:47) The generational ripple effect of helping moms work from home (24:12) Leadership Lessons: Appreciation, Communication, and Avoiding Micromanagement (25:40) Rapid Fire: Favorite Books, Clean Skincare, and Tex-Mex (28:45) Final Words of Wisdom: Following Your Passion as a Virtual Assistant (30:52) How to Connect with Lesley Pyle and the HireMyMom Community (31:55)   Connect with Lesley: Website:  https://www.hiremymom.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lspencerpyle     Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.  

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I’m sitting down with the amazing Danelle Schult to share her incredible journey from "Corporate Queen" to fully booked-out virtual assistant. Danelle spent 12 years building a career she loved, but she knew deep down that she wanted a life where she owned her time and her choices. Today, she is officially sharing how she matched her high-level corporate income and turned in her resignation to work for herself full-time! We dive into the real, raw parts of business building—like the two-year journey it took to get here and the moment she had to stop making excuses about her corporate social media policy and finally start showing up for her own brand. Danelle is a beautiful example of how identity work and specific manifestation can lead to a reality that feels even better than the dream. Here is what I dive into with Danelle: The exact moment on a beach in 2023 that sparked her vision for a remote lifestyle. How she navigated the fear of being seen and moved from "Corporate Queen" to the CEO of The Schult Method. The LinkedIn strategy that landed her a dream client who matched her corporate salary and offered a three-month path to a raise. Why "nobody is coming to save you" became the mantra that pushed her into action. Her daily success habits and how she uses "The 5 Roles per Week" rule to stay consistent without the overwhelm. How she uses Threads and Instagram stories to create visibility and open doors for OBM and AI consulting opportunities. The power of being specific in your prayers and your vision—right down to what you eat for breakfast and what time you log off. If you are currently working a 9-to-5 and wondering if you can really replace that income as a virtual assistant, Danelle’s story is the roadmap you’ve been looking for. She is proof that when you decide what you want and refuse to settle, the universe has no choice but to bring it to you! Episode Outline: Introduction: Meet Danelle Schult, the former corporate queen turned virtual assistant (01:32) The beach restaurant moment: Envisioning a new lifestyle of peace and flexibility (03:09) Rebuilding your identity: Outgrowing the corporate version of yourself (05:06) Overcoming the fear of visibility and navigating corporate social media policies (05:42) The decision point: Committing to signing a client by a specific deadline (07:05) LinkedIn success: Navigating the recruiter process for a high-level virtual assistant role (09:19) Client green flags: Prioritizing mental health and work-life balance (13:50) Scaling into high-ticket project consulting and sharing your knowledge (15:10) Why you shouldn't give up: The reality of the two-year journey to freedom (15:56) The power of specific manifestation: Envisioning the details of your dream life (17:30) Daily success habits: Establishing non-negotiables to move the business needle (18:48) Leveraging new platforms: Using Threads and Instagram to open your network (20:01) Managing the transition: Recording handover videos and preparing for full-time freedom (21:28) Practical tips for the leap: Setting income floors and being specific with your goals (22:59) Where to connect with Danelle Schult and learn more about The Schult Method (24:16) Closing encouragement and next steps for your virtual assistant business (25:12)   Connect to Danelle:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-schult?originalSubdomain=za Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschultmethod/ Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.

In this episode of Booked Out with Bre, I am so honored to introduce you to one of our amazing full-ride VA Leadership Academy scholarship winners, Crystal Holmes! Crystal has one of the most powerful stories I have ever heard, and it is a true testament to the fact that sometimes the hardest situations in our lives are actually redirections toward our highest calling. Crystal shares her raw and vulnerable journey of leaving the corporate world after a terrifying experience with a workplace stalker. That moment of "never again" led her to the virtual assistant industry, where she quickly scaled to seven clients in just six months. But Crystal’s mission didn't stop at being a solo virtual assistant—she felt a deep calling to build an agency that provides opportunities for other women, especially Black women, who are looking to escape the corporate rat race and build a life of freedom.   Here is what I dive into with Crystal: How she transitioned from PR and corporate roles to landing her first virtual assistant client in just 30 days. The turning point where she realized she was "building a job" instead of a business and how she pivoted to the agency model. Her experience navigating unsupportive coaching and why it’s so important to find a community that aligns with your specific vision. How she successfully hired and trained her first team member while she was eight months pregnant. The incredible story of taking a full six-month maternity leave while her virtual assistant agency continued to thrive and grow without her. Why being a virtual assistant is about more than just income—it’s about impact, nervous system regulation, and creating a legacy for your family. Crystal is a total powerhouse, and her heart for her mission is going to leave you so inspired. If you’ve been feeling like you’re meant for something bigger in the virtual assistant industry, you do not want to miss this conversation!   Episode Outline: Introduction: Meet Crystal Holmes, VA Leadership Academy scholarship winner (00:06) The power of writing down your "why" and seeing your vision clearly (01:07) Crystal’s story: From PR studies to moving to Nashville (02:16) The corporate breaking point: Overcoming a stalker and prioritizing mental health (03:11) Finding the virtual assistant industry on Instagram and taking a leap of faith (04:55) Scaling to seven clients: The trap of burning out as a solo virtual assistant (05:23) Building an agency for a cause: Supporting Black women in business (06:09) The illusion of security: Seeing the reality of corporate layoffs (08:29) Building a virtual assistant agency while four months pregnant (09:47) Preparing for motherhood: Training a team member to run the business (11:53) Experiencing a six-month maternity leave while the business continued to grow (12:35) The virtual assistant path as a tool for lifestyle and family growth (14:32) Income as a byproduct of impact: Building a sustainable agency (16:01) Why Crystal felt an immediate alignment with Bre Cain and the academy (17:15) Final encouragement and where to connect with Crystal Holmes (19:10) Closing remarks and next steps with Bre Cain (19:42)   Connect with Crystal: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rooted_virtualsolutions Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rooted_virtualsolutions   Ways to Work with Me: Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyitsbrecain/ Mom X VA Free Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/momxva Apply for the VA Leadership Academy https://caincollectivellc.com/valaapplication Book a Free Dream Team Design Session (for founders building with Team) https://www.breannacain.com/iconandlightningbookacall If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it so much if you left a rating and review! This helps us reach more women looking to become a virtual assistant, book out their business, and scale beyond their wildest dreams.