She's Alright When You Get To Know Her - UK Podcast for Virtual Assistants
Published by Catherine Gladwyn - UK Virtual Assistant Trainer
Careers
Business
Entrepreneurship
Ever feel strangled by your 9-5? Let me guide you through the steps to leave employment and embrace freedom as a self-employed Virtual Assistant. I like to call it 'from employment to enjoyment' with methods that work. The podcast for aspiring, new and even established Virtual Assistants; giving you tips, advice and zero fluff.
Here's the link to book onto the training I mention at the end of the podcast: https://courses.catherinegladwyn.co.uk/products/live_events/bookkeeping-2026 Did you know that when people say ‘I’ve had an unexpected tax bill’, it just means they didn’t have access to a podcast episode like this. Personally, I absolutely love bookkeeping and I hope that comes across in this podcast episode so I can help you to love it and not fear it. So many new VAs either: completely avoid bookkeeping because it scares them think they’ll “sort it later” or accidentally create chaos by mixing personal and business money from day one. And because we do need to know a bit more than how many notebooks you can put through the business every month, when this suggested topic came in from a listener I thought ‘bloody brilliant idea’ . And it gave me an excuse to invite the lovely Nadia Gibbs from Birdsong accountancy and one of the co-founders of Hey Monika , the award winning software for new bookkeepers, to join me. Let us show you how the scary bits of bookkeeping are really rather easy with these hacks, what else you could be claiming for and much more. --- It remains your responsibility to ensure your business accounting is accurate. If you're ever in any doubt please speak to HMRC and / or a qualified accountant.
Remember when becoming a VA was supposed to give you more freedom? In this episode, I explore some of the warning signs of burnout, why so many of us struggle to switch off, and how to stop your business taking over your life. Tried and tested practical tips on boundaries, client management, workload, AI, forced breaks, and how to build a business that supports your life rather than consumes it. Plus, why your first £10k month might not be quite as glamorous as it sounds.
If you're doing this with your retainers you could actually be sabotaging the future of your VA business. You could be heading towards burn out. You could be heading towards another situation where work takes precedence over life. I don't want that for you and I know you don't want that for yourself. Let me share my thoughts on how we should be selling retainers.
Do VAs need to blog? No. But if you want to get exposure to more clients, become noticed by AI (because AI is not going anywhere), want to attract more clients and allow Google to fall in love with you, then your website needs to do more than just sit there, and blogging can help! In this podcast, I’m talking about: how blogs can help bring more eyes to your business (more eyes = more clients = more income) why blogging is important for your ranking on Google how blogging could help your business get found by AI, not just Google how to write blogs your ideal clients are actually searching for If you’ve been wondering whether blogging is worth your time as a VA, this one’s for you. I mention my fast track course, How to Train ChatGPT, in this episode. You can take a look here .
Everything evolves, so there's a couple of new recommendations for pieces of software Virtual Assistants would benefit from learning in here. I also talk about my Canva course, which you can see here . And, when you've got 60 minutes free, check out the free Kirmada training here . Like the sound of having Google Workspace to make your VA business even easier to manage? Take a look here . (I am an affiliate for many products. All of which I only recommend if I use, love and / or see the huge benefit they may bring to us VAs. As an affiliate I may benefit financially if you click one of my links. There will never be any additional cost to you)
You might be surprised to know that becoming a Virtual Assistant costs less than £350, in fact it could be less than that! Listen to my honest run down of how much it might cost you to become a VA, with clients, sooner rather than later. In this episode I mention a few things I use and am priviledged to be an affiliate of too, including money off links / codes: Terms of business and booking forms from KoffeeKlatch . Use discount code CATH10 for 10% off. PolicyBee for your insurance. Mention my name or use this link for up to 10% off your quote. ICO registration . Get £5 off if you sign up for their direct debit. EcoHosting for your website domain and hosting Katya Varbanova's AI images course (As an affiliate I may benefit financially if you use any of my codes or links. I only promote products and services I use, and love, myself)
How to future proof your Virtual Assistant business and avoid that feast / famine cycle. Is it possible? Hell yeah! Not only have I done it, but I've put it to the test about 5 times now over the last ten years. Let me share some things you can do for your own VA business to keep yours going even when you need to stop. I mention my second bestselling book, The 20% Rule, in this episode, which you can get from Amazon.
Is this your sign to take control of the best years of your life? To step away from the corporate chains? Becoming a Virtual Assistant could be the best decision you ever make. It was certainly one of mine! Freedom, flexibility and financial independence aren’t a dream - they’re a business model. And your journey starts here. Listen to find out why this journey could lead you to a destination you may never have thought possible. I mention a few links in this episode which you can find below: Pick what services you'll offer as a Virtual Assistant here . Work out how few hours you'll need to work compared to your 9-5 here . I also refer to my CPD Accredited VA Starter Guide, which you can see here .
Ever wondered what other VAs are really earning, offering, and banking? I got the inside scoop from the person who crunched the numbers in the UK VA Survey - Gwen Backhouse - and yep, we’re spilling the tea and giving you a glimpse into what 2026 looks like for our wonderful sector. Whether you're just starting out or scaling, you’ll want to hear this. 🎧 Hit play and prepare to take notes. Get your copy of the survey here Join the Society of Virtual Assistants here Gwen mentions during the podcast about Pirkx. Find out about them here . - Download my free 90+ Services Virtual Assistants can Offer here .
You say you’ve tried everything to get clients as a Virtual Assistant - let’s check that In this episode I go on a search and rescue of two Virtual Assistant's LinkedIn page and websites and share exactly why they're not yet getting any traction, despite their brilliant efforts. I can’t turn water into wine, but I can turn crickets into clients. In this episode, I mention: LinkedIn Course (for those stuck at profile level) Train ChatGPT (if content is the missing piece)
Looking for more clients as VA but feel like you’ve exploited all options? Firstly, here’s your reminder that needing clients isn’t embarrassing, every business owner needs clients - hiding your availability is actually doing potential clients a disservice. You’re allowing them to continue struggling on their own, without you! In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what to do if you need more clients. One tip in particular could change EVERYTHING for your business. How to talk about your availability without sounding desperate What to say to current and past clients Why the ‘Open to Work’ badge on LinkedIn might be pushing potentials away And the tool VAs will be using in 2026 to stay consistently visible Train ChatGPT to write your social media posts, as if it's you . In this episode I refer to my free Taking on Clients LinkedIn circle and Katya's AI Image Creation Course , for which I am an affiliate for.
Not every client / inquiry is legit — and one scammer can do enormous damage to your self confidence. So in this episode, I’m sharing exactly ❌ Red flags to spot instantly 🎯 What to say when something feels “off” 🧠 How to trust your gut and stay in control You’ll walk away knowing what to look for, how to respond, and how to know if you're hungry or your gut is throwing red flags!
You might be thinking: But how do I get clients as a Virtual Assistant? You don't need to worry about that, it'll all fall into place. Let's do things the right way, the easy way. Step one is you choose - yes you get to choose - what services you'll offer as a VA. That’s exactly why I created this free download 90+ services you can offer as a VA . www.catherinegladwyn.co.uk/va-services If you’re serious about changing your work life, if you want to create a business that fits around your life - not the other way round - this is your sign. Becoming a Virtual Assistant could be the best decision you ever make.
What ChatGPT and other AI software are giving us now, has been around for years in different forms. Google provides incredible information, some of which is absolute tosh and other bits give us knowledge we’d have only gathered on a Tuesday, Weds morning, Thurs or Friday and two hours on a Saturday going to a library. When the internet was first released there were concerns about how it could lead to loneliness and isolation, and I am sure it has in many ways. But it’s also opened up whole new worlds for people looking for events to go to, looking for help, wanting to reconnect with old friends, for people like you and me to create a business and reach more people than we could have without it. It also made early adopters very very rich. With almost everything comes positive and negative, and while I think we’re all allowed to feel negativity sometimes, we mustn’t let it overtake the dreams we have. Let me share with you how and why AI isn't going to replace Virtual Assistants. I think you'll agree by the end of this episode. In this episode I mention this: www.catherinegladwyn.co.uk/ai
It's okay to want to make more money, but we can sometimes feel like asking 'how' is a bit greedy. It's not. The more income you have the more you can do to give you even more freedom and luxury. - get a cleaner - have your meals delivered (Simmer) - add to a pension - buy premium bonds - pay off a lump sum on a debt - buy an electric bike, in duck egg green, with a wicker front basket (I want one but am not allowed after a scooter incident a few years ago) Anyway, as always, I digress. Listen to today's podcast to hear a few ways you could make more money in your Virtual Assistant business - ethically! Links mentioned: www.catherinegladwyn.co.uk/packages
I couldn't even pop out to get a magazine when I was a new Mum! Whereas Caroline started her business with an 18 month old baby, and pregnant with her second. I'm joined in this episode by Caroline Marshall, the founder of Upsource, a multi award-winning Virtual Assistant agency and a growing community of fractional, high-calibre Business, Executive, and Virtual Assistants. Find out how she went from start up to fully booked in 3 months. To now having a team of 36 (not a typo) associates. How did / does she do it? Caroline generously shares her secrets in this episode. ---- Caroline began her career in Personal Assistance, Business Support, and Events. She entered the Assistant industry in 2010 and moved to Virtual Assistance in 2016, first as an employed VA, before launching her own agency in 2020. Her hands-on experience and deep understanding of the assistant role have shaped Upsource into what it is today. Her personal journey through motherhood, redundancy, the pandemic, and entrepreneurship inspired her to launch the ‘Bump to Business Owner’ podcast, where Caroline shares the real stories of founders who are also mothers, exploring how they navigate business and life.
We need to share who YOU are online as well as what you do to help you stand out, so we need to find your tone of voice and allow potential clients to really get to know the face behind the business. I hope some small tips in this episode help you do that, or confirm you're already doing all the things. I make an exciting recommendation in the podcast about a course by my friend, Katya Varbanova, a course which I am having hours of fun with and one that's changed my creativity and content beyond anything I could've done. I promised to share the link, which is here: https://shop.viralmarketingstars.com/a/2148130170/pvmy92sk The link is an affiliate link which means I may benefit financially if you make a purchase. I never recommend any products or services that I don't use in my own business on a regular basis.
No one ever really fails as a Virtual Assistant if they avoid these 12 things. The word fail is very harsh, isn't it? No one is a failure for trying. We weren't born knowing how to do all the things required to run a business. I’m hoping this episode either reassures you that you’re already on the right track and just need more time - or shows you that the tweaks you do need to make aren’t biggies. I reference my popular guide: 'How to get clients using LinkedIn' which can be found here: https://catherinegladwyn.co.uk/how-to-find-potential-clients-on-linkedin/
How do you spot a red flag? Do we just trust what our gut is telling us? Maybe, depends how well your gut can sense things. If you're anything like me, my gut can go into a panic just trying to work out what time I need to leave for an appointment that is at 4pm, and takes 1 hour to drive to. I've covered about 11 client red flags in this episode, but have been mindful that some may just be aligned to boundaries. Let me know if I've missed any glaringly obvious ones. I mention my Enquiry to Onboarding training in this episode, which you can find here: https://catherinegladwyn.co.uk/how-to-onboard-clients-as-a-virtual-assistant/
