The Virtual CEO

Linked VA

Amy Wallin and Rhys Knight talk about creating a business that gives you freedom from stress, time constraints and location restrictions. Amy is an advocate for a results-based working environment and the four-day workweek.

  1. 9 APR

    Why Optimists Make Bad Operators

    Everyone told you pessimists are a problem. They're actually your secret weapon. I've spent years collecting optimists in my life. I love them, I really do.  But in business? Some of the most valuable people I've ever worked with were the ones everyone else wanted to shut down in meetings. In this episode of The Virtual CEO, I'm breaking down why pessimists, or "realists," if they're feeling sensitive about it, are often the best operators in a business, and why your company probably can't grow without them. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    18 min
  2. 27 MAR

    The Human Side of Business: Gut Instinct, Growth, and Getting It in Writing with Karen Taylor

    I sat down with KT, co-founder of KX2 Management Group, and honestly? I went completely off script because I just couldn't stop asking questions. 35+ years in business, a radar for reading people, and zero tolerance for ego in the room. KT is the kind of person who walks into a meeting and already knows who's going to be in the "resistance club" before anyone opens their mouth. We talked about everything from AI and identity, to why your tech rollout is probably failing (spoiler: it's not the tech), to the one piece of advice she gives every founder that half the room gets offended by. And the rule she thinks every founder breaks? Don't outsource your thinking. That one stuck with me. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    50 min
  3. 20 MAR

    There Are Only 3 Reasons You Are Losing Clients

    You can bring in all the shiny new clients you want. But if you're pouring them into a leaky bucket, they're ending up on the floor anyway. In this episode, Amy gets brutally honest about the only 3 reasons clients leave that are actually within your control: your product isn't delivering on its promise, your competitors are doing it better, or your clients just don't feel valued. No fluff. Just an honest diagnosis and practical ways to fix it. Because retention isn't a set-and-forget strategy. It's what gives your entire business breathing room. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    14 min
  4. 17 MAR

    Should You Even Be a Business Mentor? Here’s the Truth

    If you’re tired of mentoring people who say they want more…but stay stuck, stay vague, and stay comfortable in the same patterns. It might be time to stop confusing support with responsibility. The best mentors don’t just cheer people on. They tell the truth. Even when it stings. Real mentorship asks for honesty, discernment, and the guts to call someone forward. Not everyone is meant to mentor. And that’s okay. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    14 min
  5. 11 MAR

    5 Brutal Fixes to Look Confident on Zoom Calls

    This one’s for the people who black out the second the Zoom light turns on Because somehow you’re funny, sharp, and normal… until there’s a recording. Then it’s bad posture, weird hand stuff, and a full-body identity crisis. Personally? I don’t trust “natural confidence” that’s never been stress-tested. We do reps. We review the cringe. We get better. Turns out confidence is built, not bestowed. Save this for your next on-camera spiral. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    17 min
  6. 5 MAR

    How Small Firms Beat Big Salaries (Without Going Broke)

    Founders who think “just pay them more” is the only move… watch this The big dogs can casually toss +$20k and act like it’s loose change. Must be nice. My standard? I’m not building a business where the “perk” is burnout + meetings about meetings. The cheat code: time respect, less noise, real flexibility. Pay isn’t the only flex.Save this for the next time someone gets poached. 🔗 The 5 meetings you actually need in your business: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jWBYqbdg5tV4nASWRZ8Xe?si=cPS2hXX4ReWL2GQF6VRwig ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    15 min
  7. 4 MAR

    Why You Hate the Business You Built (And How to Fix It)

    If you’re tired of waking up and instantly resenting the thing you built… If “freedom” became a cage, and your passion got buried under admin, clients, and constant pressure… It doesn’t mean you failed. It usually means you outgrew the way you’re running it. More money won’t fix a business that steals your freedom. But changing the rules might. Simplify. Delegate the parts you hate. Clock off like your life matters (because it does). You don’t have to burn it down to feel free again. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    13 min
  8. 2 MAR

    5 CEO Lessons I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago

    If you’ve ever wished you could go back 5–10 years and “do it properly”… without the expensive lessons, the sleepless nights, the team drama, the time-wasting tasks… Same. But here’s the truth: you didn’t “waste” those years, you earned the clarity you have now. And you don’t need a time machine. You just need to start leading like the version of you who finally gets it. ---------- Want a VA who actually makes your business run better (not just “help a bit”)? Apply here: ⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠ Save 10 hours a week and download the FREE inbox SOP for your EA: Grab it here: ⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠ If you’re new here, I’m Amy Wallin. CEO of Linked VA. We help business owners scale with high-performing offshore support (EA, Ops, Marketing, Recruitment, Bookkeeping)... without turning payroll into a crime scene. A little about me… A few years ago: I was the admin department I was the marketing department I was the entire operations team and I still thought hiring help would “slow me down” 😅 Now: we build offshore support layers for growth-stage companies we recruit, screen, train and performance-manage talent so founders can stop drowning in $10 tasks while trying to build a Million Dollar business If you want more output, better margins, and less founder dependency… you don’t need another productivity hack.You need leverage. Apply for a VA: ⁠⁠https://linkedva.com/enquire/⁠⁠ FREE inbox SOP for your EA: ⁠⁠https://go.linkedva.com/inbox-sop⁠⁠ *Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Always consider your specific business circumstances and seek advice from your financial and legal professionals before making major hiring or operational decisions.

    15 min

About

Amy Wallin and Rhys Knight talk about creating a business that gives you freedom from stress, time constraints and location restrictions. Amy is an advocate for a results-based working environment and the four-day workweek.