Virtually Free with Ashlee

What happens when a career-driven professional suddenly finds herself rethinking everything after becoming a mum?
In this episode of Virtually Free, I sit down with VA Mastery graduate Nadia from The Virtual Edition to talk about her journey from corporate admin to running her own virtual assistant business.
After 15+ years working in admin and operations, Nadia found herself unexpectedly out of a job while on maternity leave. Rather than returning to the corporate world and long commutes, she decided to take the leap into business ownership.
Despite having no social media presence at the time, Nadia signed multiple clients through her network before officially launching her business.
In this conversation, Nadia shares the honest behind-the-scenes of starting out — including the doubts, the late nights, and the small wins that kept her going.
If you’re thinking about starting a VA business but keep putting it off, this episode is the reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin.
You can connect with Nadia over on Instagram here and find out more about our VA Mastery Startup Program here

There’s a stage in business that no one prepares you for.
You’re not new anymore.
Clients are coming in.
Money is flowing.
But it starts to feel heavy.
In this episode, I dive into:
Why the 12–18 month mark is where most VAs quit
The people-pleasing and scope creep that leads to burnout
Why comparison hits harder in the messy middle
The difference between chaos and growth
How to shift from employee energy into CEO energy

This isn’t the stage to quit.
It’s the stage to refine
Download our Pricing Playbook for a resource on how to price and package like a pro here https://www.ashleethomas.site/f/pricingforpurpose
Follow on IG for more growth tips here www.instagram.com/ashleethomas.vacoach

If I was 12 months into my VA business again, knowing what I know now, there are three things I would stop immediately.
In this episode, we talk about the messy middle stage of business growth and:
Why undercharging is harder to fix later
The cost of saying yes to everything
Why avoiding your numbers keeps you stuck
The shift from scrappy to strategic

If you’re one year in and it still feels messy… you don’t need to start over. You need refinement.
And one of the first steps? Your pricing! If pricing is your weak spot, grab the Pricing Playbook to help you raise and position properly.
👉 https://www.ashleethomas.site/f/pricingforpurpose
Come share your biggest takeaway over on Instagram and let me know where you are in business.
👉 www.instagram.com/ashleethomas.vacoach

What happens when you’re burnt out in your 9–5… but not yet confident in your business?
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Bianca, founder of Busy Bee Support and a current student inside VA Mastery.
Bianca shares her honest journey from nursing burnout to building a virtual assistant business supporting allied health and wellness professionals. We talk about mindset blocks, niching down, signing clients, marketing pivots and what it really takes to build momentum in your VA business.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “faking it” or unsure whether your past career experience is relevant in the VA world, this episode is going to shift your perspective.
In this episode we cover:
Why Bianca originally started her VA business (and why it wasn’t glamorous)
The mindset struggles that come with starting from scratch
How nursing skills translate directly into a profitable VA business
The power of niching down (and how clarity changes everything)
Why Instagram wasn’t working — and how LinkedIn generated leads instead
Mistakes made from relying on one marketing channel
The importance of onboarding systems and process confidence
Transitioning from part-time employment to full-time business
The role of AI in future-proofing your VA business
Why human skills will always matter (even in an AI world)

The doors are currently open to VA Mastery — my 6-month high level group coaching program giving you the trainings, tools and support to build a thriving virtual business in 2026.
ENROL HERE
Connect with Bianca on Instagram or view her website

Your first client experience probably won’t be perfect — and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. In this episode, I share what really happened when I landed my first client, the awkward mistakes made, and why being a beginner is not a weakness. If you’re overthinking your first offer, discovery call, or onboarding steps — this one’s for you.
What You’ll Learn:
Why your first discovery call will feel awkward (and why that’s okay)
What clients actually care about when hiring you
The 3 things I wish she’d prepared ahead of time
Why you don’t need to pretend to be more experienced than you are
How to start with clarity and honesty — even if you're brand new

Links & Resources:
✨ Ready to sign your first client with clarity and confidence? Join the Start Your VA Biz Challenge for free here. We begin tomorrow!
Follow me on IG for daily tips + inspo and of course let me know what you loved the most about this episode/podcast and send me through a review
Ash