The Visionary VA Podcast

Holly Copsey
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The Visionary VA Podcast is for ambitious virtual assistants ready to scale their businesses into thriving agencies. Hosted by Holly Copsey, who has built an approaching seven-figure VA business with a team of 30, this podcast gives you the tools to transform your solo VA business into a scalable, multi-VA agency. Tune in weekly for actionable tips, success stories, and expert interviews covering everything from team building and systems to pricing strategies and attracting high-paying clients. Subscribe now and get ready to scale!

  1. Is it good to be VAT registered? We need to change our mindset

    5D AGO

    Is it good to be VAT registered? We need to change our mindset

    Is it good to be VAT registered? Virtual assistants usually avoid hitting the VAT threshold, because they think it's bad news. However, if you’re approaching the point where you’re required to be VAT registered, that’s not a problem; it’s proof your business is doing something right. “VAT doesn’t have to be scary, it’s just another stage of growth.” This episode tackles one of the biggest mindset blocks small business owners face: the VAT threshold. We explore what VAT registered actually means, who is required to be VAT registered, and why so many business owners dread it. We break down the key facts, including the important distinction that the VAT threshold is based on a 12-month rolling period, not the tax year. We then walk through three practical pricing strategies for when you become VAT registered: adding VAT on top of your current prices, increasing your prices before you hit the threshold, or absorbing the cost. Most importantly, we talk about reframing. Don’t position VAT registration as bad news for your clients, it’s good news. It means your business is growing, becoming more structured, and stepping into a new level of professionalism. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Hitting the point where you’re required to be VAT registered means your turnover is strong. Stop seeing it as a penalty and start seeing it as a milestone. 2️⃣ Get your pricing strategy sorted early. Whether you choose to add VAT on top, raise your prices in advance, or absorb the cost, plan ahead. Talk to an accountant and work out the approach that suits your business and your clients. 3️⃣ VAT is a business upgrade, not a burden. Becoming VAT registered is the moment your business becomes more structured. If you’re anywhere near the VAT threshold, don’t bury your head in the sand. Book a call with your accountant this week, review your 12-month rolling turnover, and start mapping out your pricing strategy. You’ve built a business that’s growing, now it’s time to make sure your structure supports the growth. Resources 👇 Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook group Get our ⁠free mini course⁠ on Creating Solid Business Foundations⁠ Hiring Associates free guide⁠⁠ Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download⁠⁠ Check out our website

    10 min
  2. Why Quiet Periods Don’t Make you Bad at Business

    FEB 5

    Why Quiet Periods Don’t Make you Bad at Business

    Have you ever had a quiet month or two in your business and immediately thought: "What am I doing wrong? Maybe I'm not as good at this as I thought"? Bad months happen and they do not get to decide who you are as a business owner, a leader, or a VA. "A bad month doesn't mean you're bad at business. It means you're in business." In this episode, we're diving into something that comes up again and again in mentoring sessions: detaching your self-worth from your business results. When you're a VA, especially if you're service-led and values-driven, it's very easy for business performance to feel personal. When work slows down, a client leaves, or revenue dips, it doesn't just feel like a business fluctuation. It can feel like a reflection of you. We explore what a quiet period in business is, why all businesses have quiet periods, and what to do when business goes quiet. Because you can be doing everything right and still have a slower period. Every business has seasonal dips, client churn, flat months, external factors you can't control, and phases of consolidation instead of growth. The difference isn't whether businesses have bad months, it's how much meaning they attach to them. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Zoom out for perspective. Three to six months gives you context. Patterns matter. Blips don't. When you're navigating what to do when business goes quiet, remember that every business has seasonal dips, client churn, and phases of consolidation. 2️⃣ Instead of asking "What did I do wrong?", try asking: What worked? What shifted? What was in my control? What wasn't? This approach helps you understand the quiet period in business without making it personal. 3️⃣ You are still skilled, experienced, resourceful, adaptable, and capable of navigating change. A spreadsheet doesn't get to take that away from you. Detaching your worth doesn't make you careless, it makes you stable. This week, when you look at your numbers, write one sentence that starts with: "This month taught me…" Not "This month proves…" And notice how differently that lands. You're allowed to learn without labelling yourself. You're allowed to wobble without questioning everything. And you're allowed to be human while still being a very capable leader. Growth isn't linear. Confidence isn't constant. And leadership doesn't require perfection, it requires resilience. Check out episode 12 'Resilience, Mindset and Solutions'Check out mentoring optionsResources 👇Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business FoundationsHiring Associates free guideFree Monthly Metrics Tracker downloadCheck out our website

    8 min
  3. Building a VA Franchise Empire: Suzy Sanders on the Three Cs of Success

    JAN 22

    Building a VA Franchise Empire: Suzy Sanders on the Three Cs of Success

    From corporate EA to franchise founder. Find out how Suzy Sanders built Alchemy Virtual Assistance UK to a thriving franchise. She also talks about why she believes success comes down to three powerful Cs."If you're not out there and you're not visible, then you're going to be the best VA in the world with no clients."Holly is joined by Suzy Sanders, founder and franchiser of Alchemy Virtual Assistance UK. She shares her incredible journey from feeling lost to building an award-winning VA business that's approaching its 10th anniversary.Suzy opens up about the pivotal moment when she nearly quit and how a conversation became the turning point that transformed her business. She reveals the challenges of working with associates early to finding the perfect franchising model to serve clients meaningfully whilst supporting other VAs.She also discusses benefits of PR, the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, and why slow, sustainable growth has been key to building the right franchise community.Stick around to the end as Suzy shares her framework for success: the three Cs, competency, community, and credibility. Emphasising that developing these equally is essential for growth and momentum.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Build your foundations equally across the three Cs. Develop your competency, community, and credibility in equal measure.2️⃣ Embrace visibility as a long-term investment. Whether it's PR, awards, or social media, showing up consistently is non-negotiable.3️⃣ Allow your business to evolve. Don't get fixated on one path or model. Be open to flexing your approach, trying different models, and pivoting when something isn't working. Your business should serve your life, not the other way round.Take stock of your three Cs today. Where are you strongest? Where do you need to invest more energy? Write down one action you can take this week in your weakest area, whether that's booking a training course, reaching out to connect with someone in your industry, or finally hitting publish on that post you've been drafting. Remember, "if you don't put your hat in the ring, you're not going to get picked."Check out 'Building a Dream Team' episodeJoin The Visionary VA Facebook Group Resources 👇Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business FoundationsHiring Associates free guideFree Monthly Metrics Tracker downloadVisit our website

    20 min
  4. Rebuilding Your Confidence after a Tough Year Running a VA Business

    JAN 8

    Rebuilding Your Confidence after a Tough Year Running a VA Business

    A hard year does not get the final say on who you are and your capabilities. If 2025 knocked your confidence, this episode is about closing one chapter properly, without dragging it into the next one. We’ll cover how to set yourself up to move into 2026 feeling steadier, clearer and confident."Confidence doesn't come from never struggling. It comes from knowing you can handle it when you do."You know when a year doesn't quite go how you thought it would? That was 2025 for many of us. In this honest and reflective episode, we're talking about acknowledging the tough year without beating ourselves up, understanding that even high performers wobble, and recognising that confidence isn't constant. It's something you rebuild.This isn't about pretending last year didn't affect you. It's about recalibrating. We explore three key priorities for the year ahead: health (because everything else depends on it), mindset (because it shapes everything you see), and focus and alignment (the real game changer). You don't need to be louder this year. You need to be clearer. This episode is about leading your business with yourself, not against yourself, and building a new chapter on self-trust, focus and steadier confidence.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Even experienced business owners doubt themselves sometimes. Even leaders have days where they don't feel on top of it. You're not failing. A tough year means you're navigating challenges like everyone else.2️⃣ Your health underpins everything including your energy, your patience, your clarity, and your resilience. Rest is not laziness. Mindset is the key to success because it changes how much power problems have over you.3️⃣ If 2025 knocked your confidence, you are not behind or broken. Take this time to reflect.Let 2026 be intentional. Take a moment this week and reflect on your needs. What do you want to release, and how can you run a business that works with your life, not against it? Learn from last year, so that this can be your year to thrive.Check out 'Reflect, Recharge, and Build a Growth Mindset for 2025'.Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook Group.Resources 👇Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations.Download our Hiring Associates free guide.Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download.Check out our website.

    7 min
  5. Financial Empowerment for Virtual Assistant Business Leaders with Ruth Freestone

    12/18/2025

    Financial Empowerment for Virtual Assistant Business Leaders with Ruth Freestone

    If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach when looking at your business finances - or found yourself undercharging because you're afraid to ask for what you're worth, this episode is for you. Today we're dropping the shame around money and getting informed about the numbers that matter in your virtual assistant business.“If you're informed, you're empowered. If you're empowered, you make great decisions. Empowered women empower women.”I'm joined by Ruth Freestone, founder of Root-ed Accounting, a judgement-free accountant on a mission to help ambitious women get informed, stay compliant and drop the shame around their numbers.We dive deep into the real reasons why so many women in business feel intimidated by their finances and undercharge for their services. Ruth shares practical advice on the first numbers every VA should get comfortable with, the financial mistakes she sees most frequently, and what healthy profit margins actually look like for VA businesses – especially if you're building an agency model.We talk about money mindset, financial empowerment and the small habits that make the biggest difference to financial clarity. Ruth also shares the essential financial groundwork you need to lay before growing a team, the bookkeeping tools that can simplify your life and the questions you should be asking when interviewing potential accountants.Key takeaways:1️⃣ Get comfortable with your core numbers. Start with the basics: your revenue, your expenses, and your profit. Understanding these three numbers gives you the foundation to make informed decisions about pricing, team growth and business sustainability.2️⃣ So many women carry shame around their finances and numbers – whether it's not earning enough, undercharging, or simply not understanding their finances. Financial empowerment means getting informed, staying compliant, and recognising that you should charge what you're worth.3️⃣ Lay the groundwork before you grow. If you're thinking about building a team or scaling to an agency model, get your financial systems sorted first. Know your profit margins, understand your true costs, and make sure you have bookkeeping processes in place.This week, take one small step towards financial clarity. Check your profit margin, review your pricing or (finally) book that call with an accountant you've been putting off. Whatever it is, remember that you are the customer. Ask questions, demand clarity, and take up space in these conversations. This is your financial empowerment.About Ruth:Judgement-free Accountant supporting ambitious women to get informed, stay compliant and drop the shame around their numbers.Where to find Ruth:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-freestone/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruth.freestone.accountantBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/root.ed.accountingResources 👇Reflect, Recharge, and Build a Growth Mindset for 2025: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4d4z9RPV6KpfJqq9K740Gy?si=89f6adfdbef346e3One-to-one mentoring for virtual assistants: https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/mentoring/Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/scale-with-successHiring Associates free guide: ⁠https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/hiring-associatesFree Monthly Metrics Tracker download: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/monthly-metrics-trackerFind us at: ⁠https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/

    47 min
  6. From Solo VA to Sustainable Agency: Building Psych VA Whilst Navigating ADHD and Solo Parenting with Anna Bunch

    12/04/2025

    From Solo VA to Sustainable Agency: Building Psych VA Whilst Navigating ADHD and Solo Parenting with Anna Bunch

    What if you could build a thriving agency whilst solo parenting and navigating an ADHD diagnosis? Anna Bunch, founder of Psych VA, turned the chaos of running a practice into a seven-year success story. This proves that the right systems and support are key.In this episode, Anna opens up about her journey from solo VA to agency owner, building Psych VA into a specialist team that supports psychologists and therapists behind the scenes. She shares the reality of growing a business, revealing how she's created calm systems and multiple revenue streams that keep her agency sustainable. From finding the right associates to evolving her business model, Anna breaks down what it really takes to scale from doing it all yourself to leading a team, and why reliable admin can be the difference between a practice that survives and one that thrives. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Build systems that work for your brain, not against it. When you design your business around how you actually work, scaling becomes sustainable rather than overwhelming. 2️⃣ Multiple revenue streams create stability in service-based businesses. Diversification isn't just smart, it's essential for long-term growth. 3️⃣ Scaling means letting go of client work, gradually. The transition from solo VA to agency owner requires releasing the day-to-day client tasks you once did yourself. If you're thinking about expanding your VA business or building a team, start by asking yourself: what would become possible if I stopped doing everything myself? Map out one task you could delegate this week, and take the first step towards building the sustainable, scalable business you deserve. About Anna: Anna is the founder of Psych VA, a specialist team supporting psychologists and therapists behind the scenes. She built the business while solo parenting and navigating a later ADHD diagnosis, so she understands the pressure of running a practice without the right support. Now seven years in, Anna has grown Psych VA into a sustainable agency with multiple income streams, focused on calm systems, reliable admin and helping clinicians keep their clinics running smoothly. Where to find Anna: Instagram LinkedIn Website Check out 'Dream Big Plan Smart' (episode 5) Resources 👇 Check out our business mentoring service Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations Hiring Associates free guide Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download Check out our website

    30 min
  7. Goals That Actually Stick: 2026 Goal Planning & Setting with Intention for Virtual Assistants

    11/20/2025

    Goals That Actually Stick: 2026 Goal Planning & Setting with Intention for Virtual Assistants

    Less than six weeks left of the year and this is the moment most people either switch off or get intentional. If you listen/watch this podcast, I can guess which camp do you want to be in. "Goals without alignment become chores, but goals built on intention pull you forward." You know that feeling when the year suddenly catches up with you? That's exactly where we are right now. I am talking about setting goals that actually stick, not the fluffy, vague "new year, new me" type goals, but thoughtful, aligned, intentional goals. This episode will walk you through the essential steps of goal-setting that work: pausing before you plan, choosing how you want 2026 to feel, setting fewer but better goals, and breaking them down into micro projects that make progress feel achievable. This isn't about waiting for January to reset, your 2026 starts now, in the decisions you make, the clarity you create, and the vision you choose to step into. Key takeaways Before you plan, you must pause. Take a moment to reflect on 2025 e.g. what worked well, what surprised you, what felt heavy, and what you're proud of. Set fewer, better goals. Choose one primary business goal that genuinely moves the needle, one systems or structure goal that makes everything else easier, and one personal or wellbeing goal, because burnt-out VAs don't lead thriving businesses. Identify the obstacles before they derail you. Look at your goals and ask what could get in the way e.g. confidence, client workload, lack of boundaries, or old self-sabotage. When you expect obstacles, you're ready for them instead of shocked by them. Finish this sentence: "In 2026, I want to become a business owner who..." This is your real starting point, not the diary, not the planner, not the colour-coded goals. Your identity shapes your year. Start simple: one feeling, one focus, one goal, one first step. Check out episode 9 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tv-Qmfc94 Join The Visionary VA Circle Facebook community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/visionaryvacircle/ Resources 👇 Get our Free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/scale-with-success Hiring Associates free guide: ⁠https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/hiring-associates Free Monthly Metrics Tracker download: https://pages.visionaryvacircle.co.uk/monthly-metrics-tracker Find us at: ⁠https://visionaryvacircle.co.uk/

    9 min
  8. Doing Less, Better: Why Real Growth Looks Like Subtraction

    11/06/2025

    Doing Less, Better: Why Real Growth Looks Like Subtraction

    You know that moment when you realise you're the one breaking your own rule? Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do as leaders is to slow down, zoom out and make decisions that keep us aligned - even when it feels uncomfortable. "Doing less doesn't mean lowering your standards - it means raising your focus."   In this episode, I share a personal realisation – that I was spreading myself far too thin. After reviewing Q4 plans, I recognised I wasn't following my own advice about sustainable growth. That is why The Visionary VA Podcast will shift from weekly to fortnightly episodes - not to do less for the sake of it, but to do less, better.   Growth doesn’t always mean more e.g. more output, more hours, more "showing up". Instead, real, sustainable growth often looks like subtraction, not addition. It's about giving yourself permission to pause, simplify and focus on what really matters. Because if everything's a priority… nothing is.   Key takeaways: Take the advice you dish out to clients ALL the time. Real growth, sustainable growth, often looks like subtraction, not addition. Don't be afraid to make a change when something isn't working at the level you want it to. Grab a notebook and create three columns. One column for things that energise you and move you forward). Another column for the stuff that drains you or no longer fits where you're heading. The last column is for the things that still matter, but don't have to be done by you. You'll be surprised how much clarity this simple exercise brings. As business owners, we can fall into the trap of overcommitting - saying yes to everything and everyone. But you don't scale by doing more; you scale by doing better. Sometimes, something has to give, and you need a way to figure out what that is. If you're listening to this and thinking, "yeah, I'm definitely doing too much," this is your nudge. Take your own advice. Review, refine, and be brave enough to adjust course. Doing less doesn't mean lowering your standards - it means raising your focus. Here's to doing less, better - and to creating more space for the kind of growth that actually feels good. Check out the episode #17 where I talk about recognising overwhelm and stopping the spiral 👉  Listen here Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get our free mini course on Creating Solid Business Foundations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hiring Associates free guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free monthly metrics tracker download⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the website

    7 min
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About

The Visionary VA Podcast is for ambitious virtual assistants ready to scale their businesses into thriving agencies. Hosted by Holly Copsey, who has built an approaching seven-figure VA business with a team of 30, this podcast gives you the tools to transform your solo VA business into a scalable, multi-VA agency. Tune in weekly for actionable tips, success stories, and expert interviews covering everything from team building and systems to pricing strategies and attracting high-paying clients. Subscribe now and get ready to scale!

Information

  • Creator
    Holly Copsey
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Holly Copsey
  • Show Website
    The Visionary VA Podcast