EPISODE · Mar 28, 2026 · 47 MIN
Episode 38 - Hiring an Associate VA: Lessons We Learned the Hard Way
from The VA Live Lounge · host Lisa Tennant
About This EpisodeReady to grow your VA business by bringing on your first associate — but not sure where to start? In this episode, Lisa and Kirsty pull back the curtain on the realities of building a VA team. They share hard-won lessons on vetting, building trust, navigating tricky client dynamics, and creating a culture of loyalty and communication that keeps great VAs around.Whether you're thinking about hiring your first associate or you've already started the process and hit a few bumps, this episode is packed with honest, practical advice you won't want to miss.Key Takeaways• Start vetting VAs before you have the work — don't wait until you're overwhelmed• Build strong communication channels and support systems from day one• Be honest about skills and expectations on both sides to maintain long-term trust• Protect your client relationships by setting clear ethical boundaries with your team• Over-communication is always better than under-communication when leading remote associatesEpisode Highlights"Be honest about your skills" — because misrepresenting your abilities damages trust faster than anything else."Don't discuss money with clients" — protect your business and your team by keeping financial conversations in the right place."Over-communicate with your team" — when working remotely, clarity is everything.Episode Chapters00:00 Navigating the Chaos of Starting a VA Business02:46 The Journey of Hiring Associates06:00 Mistakes in the Hiring Process08:52 Revamping the Vetting Process11:52 Building Trust with Associates15:04 The Risks of Client Poaching18:06 Maintaining Ethical Standards in VA Relationships22:47 Navigating Ethical Boundaries in VA Relationships29:06 Building a Loyal and Supportive Team36:52 Communication: The Key to Successful Associate Relationships43:45 Understanding the Financial Realities of Running an AgencyReady to Take Action?If this episode resonated with you, here's how to put it into practice:🎯 Manage Your VA Business in One PlaceJuggling client work, associate tasks, and your own admin? More Than A CRM is built specifically for VAs and agency owners — one system to manage it all, so nothing slips through the cracks.👉 Try More Than A CRM → https://morethanava.org/crm🎯 Never Miss an EpisodeSubscribe to The VA Live Lounge on Apple Podcasts and get every new episode delivered straight to your ears. Leave us a review if today's episode helped you — it means the world!👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-va-live-lounge/id1803555684🎯 Join the More Than A VA CommunityConnect with Lisa, Kirsty, and hundreds of other VAs in our free community. Ask questions, share wins, and get support from people who truly get the VA life.👉 Follow us on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/morethanava_/🎯 Connect on FacebookJoin the More Than A VA Facebook community for daily tips, live Q&As, and exclusive content to help you grow your VA business.👉 Join us on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/groups/iammorethanavaLoved this episode? Share it with a VA friend who needs to hear it. 💜https://morethanava.org
What this episode covers
About This EpisodeReady to grow your VA business by bringing on your first associate — but not sure where to start? In this episode, Lisa and Kirsty pull back the curtain on the realities of building a VA team. They share hard-won lessons on vetting, building trust, navigating tricky client dynamics, and creating a culture of loyalty and communication that keeps great VAs around.Whether you're thinking about hiring your first associate or you've already started the process and hit a few bumps, this episode is packed with honest, practical advice you won't want to miss.Key Takeaways• Start vetting VAs before you have the work — don't wait until you're overwhelmed• Build strong communication channels and support systems from day one• Be honest about skills and expectations on both sides to maintain long-term trust• Protect your client relationships by setting clear ethical boundaries with your team• Over-communication is always better than under-communication when leading remote associatesEpisode Highlights"Be honest about your skills" — because misrepresenting your abilities damages trust faster than anything else."Don't discuss money with clients" — protect your business and your team by keeping financial conversations in the right place."Over-communicate with your team" — when working remotely, clarity is everything.Episode Chapters00:00 Navigating the Chaos of Starting a VA Business02:46 The Journey of Hiring Associates06:00 Mistakes in the Hiring Process08:52 Revamping the Vetting Process11:52 Building Trust with Associates15:04 The Risks of Client Poaching18:06 Maintaining Ethical Standards in VA Relationships22:47 Navigating Ethical Boundaries in VA Relationships29:06 Building a Loyal and Supportive Team36:52 Communication: The Key to Successful Associate Relationships43:45 Understanding the Financial Realities of Running an AgencyReady to Take Action?If this episode resonated with you, here's how to put it into practice:🎯 Manage Your VA Business in One PlaceJuggling client work, associate tasks, and your own admin? More Than A CRM is built specifically for VAs and agency owners — one system to manage it all, so nothing slips through the cracks.👉 Try More Than A CRM → https://morethanava.org/crm🎯 Never Miss an EpisodeSubscribe to The VA Live Lounge on Apple Podcasts and get every new episode delivered straight to your ears. Leave us a review if today's episode helped you — it means the world!👉 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-va-live-lounge/id1803555684🎯 Join the More Than A VA CommunityConnect with Lisa, Kirsty, and hundreds of other VAs in our free community. Ask questions, share wins, and get support from people who truly get the VA life.👉 Follow us on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/morethanava_/🎯 Connect on FacebookJoin the More Than A VA Facebook community for daily tips, live Q&As, and exclusive content to help you grow your VA business.👉 Join us on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/groups/iammorethanavaLoved this episode? Share it with a VA friend who needs to hear it. 💜https://morethanava.org
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Episode 38 - Hiring an Associate VA: Lessons We Learned the Hard Way
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