129. VA Spotlight: How Danelle Schult Matched Her 12-Year Corporate Salary and Found Freedom as a Virtual Assistant

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.