Welcome back to Virtually Free Today! In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of how I signed my very first virtual assistant client in 2018 — while juggling a toddler, zero fancy systems, and no expert title in sight.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t about being perfectly ready — it was about courage and connection.

You'll hear the full story of how one connection on LinkedIn turned into a $3K project (and eventually a long-term retainer), all because I chose to show up and share authentically.

If you've been sitting in "learning mode" thinking you need a website, a full-time schedule, or years of experience to land your first client… this episode is your wake-up call. I am living living proof that starting messy and being brave is often the fastest path to growth.

In this episode I also dive into:

• Why mindset is the real game-changer for VA success
• How trust and transparency outweighed lack of experience
• What happened after that first project wrapped up (hint: more clients!)
• Why you don’t need 10+ clients to hit a full-time income

Ready to stop researching and finally start signing clients?

Join the FREE 3-Day Booked Out Bootcamp where you'll learn how to set up your VA business and sign clients by the new year. Be the first to register before it goes public here https://www.ashleethomas.site/f/bookedoutvachallenge2025

Connect with Ashlee:

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

More about Virtually Free with Ashlee

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!