Seed to Success
by Adrienne Donnelly
Welcome to Seed to Success – the podcast where I (Adrienne Donnelly) share my passion for helping women create successful, sustainable, and enjoyable Virtual Assistant businesses.With the support of incredible industry experts and an amazing community, I offer helpful resources, valuable advice, and inspirational stories that equip you with the skills and confidence needed to set up a life-changing virtual assistant business. Learn more about Seed Virtual Assistants via www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au
Episodes
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Is an NDIS Niche Right for You? with Nerin Chappell
Choosing a niche can feel like a big decision you have to get right the first time. You want steady work and a business that lasts, and you want clients you genuinely enjoy. Sometimes the right fit takes shape through the clients you say yes to. Your business is allowed to grow and change as your...
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How to Have Difficult Conversations, with Jennifer Bicknell
You know the conversation you need to have. You've known for weeks. Most of us were never taught how to have a hard conversation, and in a service-based business that gap can cost you sleep, income and the confidence to hold your boundaries. Left alone, a small issue tends to grow, and a…
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Using AI Without Ending Up in the Headlines with Baidy Barton
There's a smart way to use AI in your business, and it has nothing to do with avoiding it out of fear. It's about knowing exactly where the lines are, so you can use it with confidence. Whether you're drafting client emails, researching a project, or letting AI handle admin in the background, a…
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What Does Your First Year in Business Actually Teach You? with Ashli Newton
The first year of business rarely looks like the highlight reel we see online. It's messy, it's humbling, and most of the real growth happens quietly behind the scenes while you're still figuring out your pricing, your boundaries and who your actual ideal client is. In this episode, Adrienne...
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First Impressions Matter: Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Have you ever wondered why some VAs and OBMs land the client and others don't, even when everyone on the shortlist has the same skills and experience? Sometimes the answer isn't about who's the most qualified. It's about who made the strongest first impression on paper. In this episode, Adrienne...
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Why Delegation Feels So Hard, with Emma Bennett
You’ve built something that works, but somehow you’re still the one holding every piece of it together. The systems haven’t caught up with real like, and delegation feels harder that it should, even though you know you can’t keep wearing every hat forever. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly sits...
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What Makes a Great Executive Assistant, with Yvette Simpson
There's a moment every VA or EA hits where you wonder if you're just ticking off tasks or actually making a difference to the business you support. It's easy to feel like the value of your work is invisible, especially when you're doing it well and nobody notices the chaos you've quietly…
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The Importance of Visibility with Leslie Carvitto
Do you ever feel like being visible in your business just means posting more, showing your face more, and doing more video? Like there's some invisible checklist you're not ticking off, and until you do, you're not allowed to put yourself out there. If that feeling is familiar, get ready for a...
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Time For A Mid Year Check In
It's July, and if you're anything like most business owners, you're having that strange moment where January feels like it was both yesterday and five years ago. You set goals at the start of the year, got excited about some, felt a little nervous about others, and then client work took over....
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Niching Your VA Business by Values, Not Industry, with Kathleen Amy
There's a version of business advice that tells you to just follow the strategy. Map the plan, hit the milestones, stay consistent. And there's another version that says trust your energy, move with the seasons, follow what feels right. But what if you didn't have to choose between the two? In…
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Rethinking Marketing for Your Service Business with Bec Chappell
If you've ever felt like you're on a content hamster wheel, posting consistently, trying to feed the algorithm, and still wondering why the leads aren't flowing, you're not alone. So many VAs and OBMs are pouring time and energy into social media and quietly burning out in the process. The truth...
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The Subtle Language Shifts That Change How You’re Seen in Business
If you've ever caught yourself asking a client for a day off, chances are you already know something feels a little off about that. You're not an employee anymore, but sometimes the language hasn't quite caught up. Most of us come into business after years in traditional employment, and we bring...
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Sleep, Energy and Burnout with Dr Shauna Watts
Are you waking up at 3am with your brain already racing? Dragging yourself through the afternoon and quietly wondering how you're going to make it to the end of the day? If any of that sounds familiar, you're in good company. And there are real, biological reasons it's happening. In this episode,...
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Future-Proofing Your VA or OBM Business
There's a lot of noise online right now about AI replacing virtual assistants. And if you've spent even a few minutes scrolling, chances are you've seen someone declare that VAs will eventually be made redundant altogether. The reality looks a little different. Drawing on almost a decade of...
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Building a Business While Managing Chronic Illness with Laurissa Makings
Running a service business is a lot to manage. Add a chronic illness and it can feel impossible before the day has even started. If you've wondered whether building something sustainable is realistic when your capacity changes daily, this episode is for you. In this episode Adrienne Donnelly…
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Pricing With Confidence: What Every VA and OBM Needs to Know
Pricing is one of those topics that can bring up all the feelings. Fear, comparison, imposter syndrome, and sometimes even guilt. If you've ever mumbled your rate, followed your price with a "but," or quietly wondered whether you're charging too much, this episode is for you. Whether you're just...
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Passion Projects, Purpose and Showing Up: A Conversation with Cat Dunn
Have you ever felt like your story was too heavy, too personal, or too complicated to say out loud? Like the things you've survived don't belong in a professional space or a public conversation? So many women are carrying experiences they've never spoken about, not because they don't matter, but...
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Managing The Client Lifecycle as a VA or OBM with Michelle Broadbent
Signing a new client feels exciting. The discovery call goes well, the proposal is accepted, and you’re officially “in”. But what happens after that? In our industry, we talk a lot about attracting and onboarding clients. And yes, those stages matter. But if you want a sustainable, profitable VA…
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You Don't Need It All Figured Out to Start Your VA Business, with Hannah Caruso
Some seasons of business feel exciting and full of possibility. Others feel like you’re carrying a lot of “what now?” questions around with you, especially if you’re coming out of a traditional career and wondering what’s next. You might be craving more flexibility, more creativity, and work that...
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A New Year Pep Talk For VAs and OBMs
This time of year can feel a bit strange. Everyone seems to be charging ahead with big goals and bold plans, while you might still be feeling tired, reflective, or unsure what you actually want next. If you’re a VA, OBM, or online service provider who wants your business to grow but not at the…
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You Don't Have to Do It All Yourself, with Ash Battye
Some days business feels really good… and other days it feels like you’re carrying your whole world on your shoulders. Client work, kids, school notes, invoices, laundry piles, and somewhere in there you’re meant to be “the CEO” too. You might be thinking about hiring or bringing in more support,...
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How VAs and OBMs Can Stand Out Without Doing More
You know those moments in business where you’re trying to do “the right thing,” but every tool, platform, and strategy just feels… heavier than it should? Or when showing up online suddenly feels like the hardest part of your week? So many VAs and OBMs feel that, but we rarely say it out loud.…
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Slowing Down Doesn't Mean You're Falling Behind, with Jessica Conner
You know those seasons in business where everything feels fine… until suddenly it really isn’t? One day you’re getting things done, the next you’re staring at your laptop thinking, “Wow, my brain has officially checked out.” We’ve all been there, holding everything together, pushing through...
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From Awkward to Authentic: Feeling Like Yourself on Camera
If you’ve ever cringed at the thought of a photoshoot or wondered what to do with that folder full of untouched branding photos, you’re not alone. For many of us running online businesses, being the face of our brand can feel just as confronting as it is important. But here’s the thing, the right...
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How to Automate Without Losing the Human Touch, with Mariana Gaona Lopez
If you’ve ever second-guessed your onboarding process (or realised your offboarding process is basically just an email and a wave), you’re not alone. Whether you’ve been in business for five minutes or five years, refining the way you look after your clients from first enquiry to offboarding…
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Messaging That Attracts High Value Clients: A Conversation with Tahnée Sanders
Ever found yourself trying to explain what you do… and watching the other person’s eyes glaze over? Or maybe you’ve had that gut feeling that your website, socials, or service descriptions aren’t quite saying what you mean or attracting the clients you really want to work with? If you’ve been...
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Systems That Help You Thrive: A Conversation with Marianne Tansley
If you’ve ever felt behind when it comes to systems or second-guessed the value of your admin skills, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we chat with Marianne Tansley, founder of Thrive Admin Services. With decades of experience as an executive assistant and admin expert, Marianne now...
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Legal Protection for VAs and OBMs: A Conversation with Emma Heuston
If the legal side of business feels confusing or overwhelming, this episode is here to help. In this conversation, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Emma Heuston, lawyer, author and founder of Ready to Boss Legal. After 23 years in legal practice, Emma now works exclusively with women in business…
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It's Never Too Late to Build Something New with Sharon Ella
Leaving behind a long-term career can feel like stepping into the unknown, especially when you’ve spent decades in the same industry. But sometimes, what you’re stepping away from is the very thing that gives you the strength and skills to build something new. In this episode of Seed to Success,...
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What Is Sustainable Web Design? A Conversation with Sez Gower
If you’ve ever wondered how your digital presence affects the planet, or you’ve felt unsure where to start with building a more sustainable website, this episode is for you. In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Sez Gower, eco-conscious web designer and founder of...
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What If Saying Sorry Wasn't the Default? With Lee Longmire
If you've ever second-guessed yourself in a client conversation or walked away from an email thread thinking “I should’ve said that differently”, this episode is for you. In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Seed Inner Circle member Lee Longmire from Lee...
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Ask Adrienne Anything - Your Questions Answered
Ever wished you could ask a fellow VA or OBM how they really do it? This episode is your chance to listen in as Adrienne answers real questions submitted by members of the Seed community, covering everything from setting boundaries with clients to building confidence when you're just starting…
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Building Visibility with Confidence: A Conversation with Bec Sands
If you’ve ever felt the pull to be more visible in your business but found yourself second-guessing every move, this episode is your gentle permission slip to take up space. In this empowering conversation, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Bec Sands, a Visibility Mentor, coach and ex-corporate...
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Does My Corporate Experience Even Count? With Giulia Vecchio
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Do I really have what it takes to do this?”, this conversation is the gentle nudge and heartfelt encouragement you didn’t know you needed. In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Inner Circle member Giulia Vecchio, the…
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A New Season, A New Story with Adrienne Donnelly and Amy Dawe
We’re kicking off a fresh season of Seed to Success with a very special guest, the incredible Amy Dawe, founder and former owner of Seed Virtual Assistants. In this heartfelt conversation, Amy opens up about the journey that led her to step away from the business she built from the ground up, and...
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The Power of Zapier for VAs & OBMs
A warm welcome to today's guest Tiffany Ashdown, an expert in all things automation and tech, Tiffany is also a highly valued member of the Seed Inner Circle. In this episode, Tiffany shares her journey into this field and explains the benefits of automation in business, including saving time and...
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5 First Steps for Creating an Inclusive Environment for Clients
A warm welcome to today's guest, Mel Watson, a coach and wellbeing mentor who is an expert in diversity and inclusion in small businesses. In this episode, Mel shares her journey in this field and provides practical advice for small businesses to incorporate diversity and inclusion into their...
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Nerin Chappell
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, Amy sat down with Nerin Chappell, an Inner Circle Member & owner of Positively Sorted, a VA Agency specialising in supporting NDIS provider businesses with all their admin needs. Nerin shares her journey from starting Positively Sorted to...
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The Power of Personal Branding on LinkedIn
A warm welcome to today's guest, Abbey Naylor, of Bold Mood, who is a LinkedIn Personal Brand Coach We are thrilled to have Abbey join us today and to dive even deeper into the topic of The Power of Personal Branding in LinkedIn in our upcoming May Inner Circle Workshop. Abbey discusses the...
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Cat Dunn
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Cat Dunn, an Inner Circle Member and an Online Business Manager (OBM). Cat shares her journey from starting as a virtual assistant to becoming an OBM and her journey in building an OBM community in Australia. Amy and Cat…
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Kelly Groves
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Kelly Groves, an Inner Circle Member & a Business Strategist. Kelly shares her journey from starting as a virtual assistant and how it evolved into the Small Business Hub Australia. Kelly discussed the importance of supporting...
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Getting Started with Business Automation
A warm welcome to today's guest, Renee Evans, of REVA Assistance, who is a Business Automation Expert. We are thrilled to have Renee join us today and dive even deeper into this topic of Business Automations in our upcoming April Inner Circle Workshop. Renee discussed the importance of automation...
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Amy Christopherson
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Amy Christopherson, who shares her journey and expertise in the HR space, focusing on inspiring change, and transforming the way that HR is perceived, implemented and valued inside organisations. Amy dives into various facets…
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Sara Bunnett
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Sara Bunnett to chat about her business journey in the Heath VA Space. Sara shares how she started her business just before the 2020 pandemic and how it turned out to be a silver lining for her. Sarah has become a trailblazer…
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Understanding SEO and how to make it work for your business
A warm welcome to today's guest Remi Audette, of Sunday Best Digital Agency who specialises in SEO for Marketing Managers, Agencies & Small Businesses. We are thrilled to have Remi join us today and to dive even deeper into this topic of SEO in our February Inner Circle Workshop. Today we chat…
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Why Mindset Is Our Biggest Asset In Business
A warm welcome to today's guest Mira Claudia Mindset and Confidence Coach, coaching Women from Self- doubt and Overwhelm to Clarity and Confidence. This episode is vulnerable and raw as we explore Mira's personal experiences that led her on a journey of self-discovery that led her to building an...
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Hannah Mostyn
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Hannah Mostyn to chat about her business journey and some big shifts and evolutions that have led her to where she is now, working in complete alignment and fulfillment. Hannah and I have also been working on a really exciting...
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Inner Circle Member Spotlight Interview with Madison Bairstow
INNER CIRCLE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In this podcast episode, I sit down with Madison Bairstow for a fun chat all things business! Madison has recently shared some incredible milestone events in her business and I absolutely LOVED getting to celebrate them with her in this episode of Seed to Success!...
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The Power of Menstrual Cycle Seasons for Life and Business Success
A warm welcome to today's guest Charlotte Pointeaux, Menstrual Cycle Coach who specialises in helping women with businesses to create sustainable and soulful enterprises. We are thrilled to have Charlotte join us today and to dive even deeper into this topic in our December Inner Circle Workshop....
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Growing your VA Business with Subcontractors (The Legal Considerations)
In this episode of the Seed to Success Podcast, Emma Heuston & I chat about the legal considerations involved in growing your team through subcontractors. Join us as we explore: Superannuation and superannuation guarantee may be payable as per the ATO requirements Non solicitation and the...
About this show
Welcome to Seed to Success – the podcast where I (Adrienne Donnelly) share my passion for helping women create successful, sustainable, and enjoyable Virtual Assistant businesses.With the support of incredible industry experts and an amazing community, I offer helpful resources, valuable advice, and inspirational stories that equip you with the skills and confidence needed to set up a life-changing virtual assistant business. Learn more about Seed Virtual Assistants via www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au
Hosted by
Adrienne Donnelly
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