Virtually Free with Ashlee

In this episode of Virtually Free, I’m sharing a real-time reflection on navigating new tools, trends, and opportunities, without getting pulled into every shiny object.
And the example I'm sharing is Claude!
Yes, being an early adopter can save time
Yes, tools like Claude (and others) can be powerful.
But if you’re constantly pivoting, learning new platforms, and starting over… you’re not building momentum, you’re burning it.
When you're in the stage of growth, you don’t need more tools (yet)
You need to refine what you’ve already built.
This episode is your permission slip to stay in your lane, double down on what’s already working, and stop confusing “new” with “necessary.”
What We Cover:
The truth about being an “early adopter” (and when it actually helps vs distracts)
Why constantly chasing new tools is slowing your growth
The difference between optimisation and distraction (and how to spot it fast)
How to decide if something is actually worth your time right now
Why i'm personally not adding Claude to my tech stack (just yet)

If you're in the messy middle stage of business and ready to refine your services and packages to position yourself as the obvious choice, download our free Playbook here
See you next week
ASH

There’s no shortage of business advice online… but not all of it is good.
In fact, some of the most common advice being shared—things that sound smart, logical, and even “proven”—can actually slow your growth, lead to burnout, or keep you stuck in cycles of under-earning.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the worst business advice I’ve heard (and followed), and what I’ve seen firsthand through building my own VA business and mentoring others.
Because building a business that actually works isn’t about following trends—it’s about making decisions based on real data, real people, and what’s sustainable long-term.
In this episode I cover:
Why “build it and they will come” is one of the biggest time-wasters
The truth about niching down (and why it actually creates more opportunities)
The risk of relying too heavily on social media platforms
Why Facebook groups are still one of the most powerful tools for connection + more

If you’re ready to stop undercharging and start building a business that actually supports you, my Pricing Playbook is the best place to start.
Inside, I walk you through how to confidently price your services based on value—not fear.
👉 Grab it here: https://www.ashleethomas.site/f/pricingforpurpose
If you loved this episode, make sure you:
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes
Share this with another VA who needs to hear it
Leave a review (it helps more people find the podcast!)

And come hang out with me on Instagram:
👉 Follow me here: www.instagram.com/ashleethomas.vacoach

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