Seed to Success

Adrienne Donnelly
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  • Entrepreneurship
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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

  1. 4d ago

    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 prevented. This week's guest has spent close to three decades answering that exact question, both inside corporate EA roles and now running her own consultancy. She's got firm views on what actually makes someone indispensable, and none of it comes down to how fast you can manage an inbox. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly is joined by Yvette Simpson, founder of The Y Principle, a fractional operations and executive support consultancy. Yvette shares what nearly 30 years of partnering with C-suite leaders and founders has taught her about trust, positioning, and building a business that doesn't rely on being the only one who can do the job. You'll hear about: What actually separates a good assistant from a great one Building trust with clients you may never meet in person Why "fractional" might be the smartest word in your positioning Using emotional intelligence to stand out in an AI driven world Bringing AI into your workflow without losing the human touch Yvette's approach is a good reminder that this work comes down to the trust you build, the language you choose to describe what you do, and knowing when to bring in support instead of carrying it all yourself. If you've been quietly wondering whether you're doing this the right way, this conversation might just put your mind at ease. 🌱 Resources and Links: 🌱 Join the Seed VA community: Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA - Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: Seed Inner Circle 📲 Connect with Yvette Simpson: Website: www.the-y-principle.com Instagram: @the_y_principle Facebook: The Y Principle LinkedIn: Yvette Simpson If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    What Makes a Great Executive Assistant, with Yvette Simpson

  2. Jul 16

    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 shift. It turns out visibility has very little to do with the social media hamster wheel, and a lot more to do with connection, mindset, and understanding that your work genuinely helps people. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Leslie Carvitto, a personal brand photographer, visibility mentor, and podcast host who helps women build magnetic brands and businesses. Through authentic marketing, strategic storytelling, and community, Leslie empowers women to own their expertise and be seen for the incredible work they do. She shares her refreshingly honest take on what visibility actually looks like, why self promotion isn't something to feel icky about, and how she helps women feel confident and prepared in front of the camera. You'll hear about Why visibility is about more than showing up on social media Reframing self promotion as an act of service Practical tips for feeling confident before a brand photography shoot Why in person connection opens doors social media can't Focusing on best case scenarios instead of worst case ones Leslie's reminder that visibility doesn't have to be loud or constant, sometimes it's as simple as one coffee, one pitch, or one honest conversation, is a good one to sit with. If you've been waiting to feel ready, this episode is your nudge to just start. 🌱 Resources and Links 🌱 Join the Seed VA community: Website: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082065292124728 Learn more about the Inner Circle: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle 📲 Connect with Leslie Carvitto: Website: https://www.lesliecarvitto.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliecarvitto.photography LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-carvitto/ If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    The Importance of Visibility with Leslie Carvitto

  3. Jul 2

    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. That's exactly why the mid year check in matters. Not because you're supposed to be perfectly on track, but because it's worth stopping to ask yourself how things are actually going, and whether you're in the driver's seat of your business or just holding on for the ride. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly guides you through a simple mid year reset. She walks through celebrating your wins so far, checking in honestly with how you're really feeling, auditing what's working and what's not, revisiting your goals with permission to change them, and figuring out what support you actually need for the rest of the year. You'll hear about Why celebrating small wins matters just as much as the big milestones How to check in honestly with how your business actually feels right now A simple way to audit what's working and what needs tweaking in your business Permission to revisit, adjust or completely rewrite your goals for the year How to identify the support you actually need for the next six months You don't need the whole year mapped out and you don't need every goal ticked off by now. There's still plenty of time left to create momentum, make progress, and turn this into a genuinely good year. Take a moment to reflect and choose how you want to move forward. Resources and Links 🌱 Join the Seed VA community: Website: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082065292124728 Learn more about the Inner Circle: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    Time For A Mid Year Check In

  4. Jun 18

    Inner Circle Member Spotlight: Interview 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 this episode, Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Kathleen Amy, OBM, soulful VA, and host of the Soulful Strategies podcast. Kathleen shares how eight years in business have shaped her philosophy of structure with soul, and what it really looks like to build a sustainable business that holds you through the low seasons, the full seasons, and everything in between. You'll hear about Niching by values and energy rather than industry or job title Building visibility systems that run even when you're in a low season How to tell the difference between genuine rest and avoidance Knowing when to refer out and why it builds trust Creating strategy that fits your actual life, not just a plan on paper Running a service-based business doesn't mean being on all the time. This conversation is a reminder that structure and soul aren't opposites and that the most sustainable businesses are built with both. Take what lands for you today. 🌱 Resources and Links 🌱 Join the Seed VA community: Website: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082065292124728 Learn more about the Inner Circle: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle 📲 Connect with Kathleen Amy: Website: https://kathleenamy.com.au/ Podcast: https://kathleenamy.com.au/podcast-soulful-strategies/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenamy.virtual/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kathleenamy.virtual YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathleenamy.virtual LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenamy/ If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    Inner Circle Member Spotlight: Interview with Kathleen Amy

  5. Jun 4

    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 is, marketing your service-based business is so much more than showing up on Instagram. And when the economy gets tough and clients start watching their spend, knowing how to market strategically rather than reactively could make all the difference. In this episode, host Adrienne Donnelly is joined by Bec Chappell, a marketing strategist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-based businesses build sustainable marketing systems. Bec has spent her career setting up marketing functions for businesses of all sizes, and she brings a refreshingly practical, no-hype approach to the conversation. You'll hear about 🌱 Why social media alone won't build a sustainable lead flow 🌱 The difference between "always on" marketing and campaign marketing 🌱 Practical strategies for marketing your business when clients are cutting spend 🌱 How to use AI smartly without losing your voice or point of difference 🌱 Why your next client is probably already in your network Whether your books are full or you're quietly wondering where the next client is coming from, this episode will shift the way you think about marketing your business for the long game. Resources and Links 🌱 Join the Seed VA community: Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA - Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: Seed Inner Circle 📲 Connect with Bec Chappell: Website: www.becchappell.com.au LinkedIn: Bec Chappell Instagram: @bec_chappell 🎙️ Marketing Espresso Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/marketing-espresso-podcast 🎙️ How to Market When Times Get Tough (episode): https://tinyurl.com/how-to-market-when-times If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    Rethinking Marketing for Your Service Business with Bec Chappell

  6. May 21

    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 that language with us without even realising it. It's not a problem. It's just part of the transition. And once you start to notice it, that's when things start to shift. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly explores why the language we carry from employment can quietly undermine how we show up as business owners, and walks through some of the most common shifts worth making, from how we handle inquiries to how we talk about our time, our scope, and ourselves. You'll hear about 🌱 Why employee language follows us into business and why that's completely normal 🌱 The difference between asking permission and communicating your availability 🌱 How to handle out-of-scope requests without underselling your time 🌱 Removing the word "just" from how you talk about yourself 🌱 Small language tweaks that shift how clients perceive your value Language is one of those things that changes quietly over time. You don't need to have it perfect, and you don't need to overhaul everything at once. But once you start noticing the words you're using, it becomes much easier to make those small, steady shifts that reflect the business owner you already are. 🌱 Resources and Links Join the Seed VA community: Website: seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    The Subtle Language Shifts That Change How You’re Seen in Business

  7. May 7

    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, host Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Dr. Shauna Watts, a GP with a special interest in women's health and midlife medicine, to talk about sleep, energy and burnout and how all three show up for women running a business. Dr. Shauna brings the medical knowledge without the overwhelm, and the kind of honest, practical guidance that actually makes sense in real life. This one is worth saving. You'll hear about:🌱 Why so many women wake between 2 and 4am and what's driving it🌱 How to create an end-of-day routine that helps your brain switch off🌱 What to eat at 3pm instead of reaching for sugar or another coffee🌱 The signs of burnout that are easy to miss in yourself and in others🌱 Why a normal blood test doesn't rule out perimenopause You're the heartbeat of your business and your family, and when your energy is stretched thin, everything around you feels it. Dr. Shauna makes the complex feel manageable, and this conversation gives you both the language for what you're experiencing and some genuinely practical steps to start working with your body rather than against it. Resources and LinksJoin the Seed VA community:Website: seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle 📲 Connect with Dr. Shauna Watts:Website: www.youbydrshaunawatts.com.auInstagram: @dr.shaunawattsPodcast Instagram: @allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts If this episode made you feel a little less alone or gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

    Sleep, Energy and Burnout with Dr Shauna Watts

  8. Apr 23

    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 experience running her own VA and OBM business, Adrienne shares what future-proofing actually looks like in practice, and why the human element isn't going anywhere. This isn't about ignoring AI or pretending it isn't changing the way we work. It absolutely is. But the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest, and there's a lot of opportunity in that nuance if you're paying attention. You'll hear about: 🌱 Real client examples where AI fell short and humans got the job done 🌱 The risks of outsourcing business-critical work to AI 🌱 How embracing AI can elevate your role rather than replace it 🌱 Why niching into growing industries is a smart long-term move 🌱 What a business continuity plan looks like for solo operators Whatever the future looks like, the VAs and OBMs who will thrive are the ones who embrace technology, deepen their expertise, and double down on the human value they bring. That's not going out of style anytime soon. Resources and Links Join the Seed VA community: Website: seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle Bec at The Ops Side: www.theopsside.com.au 🔔 This episode is sponsored by Ready to Boss Legal. Ready to Boss Legal offers online legal templates that protect your business without the fuss or the large fees. Use code SEED10 for 10% off. Visit: www.readytobosslegal.com.au If this episode made you think about where your business is heading, share it with a fellow VA or OBM who needs to hear it. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's new on Seed to Success. 🌱

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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Adrienne Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seed Virtual Assistants 2025
  • Show Website
    Seed to Success

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