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. Sep 10

    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 Donnelly sits down with Ashli Newton, founder of Three Leaves Admin and a member of the Inner Circle community, to talk honestly about her first twelve months in business. Ashli supports small business owners, tradies and Airbnb hosts with the busy back end work that keeps things running, and she holds nothing back about what that first year actually looked like. You'll hear about Why Ashli started her business and what finally pushed her to take the leap What one client scenario taught her about the real value of a solid contract How unpaid invoices reshaped her contracts and her boundaries Why she stopped undercharging and learned to know her worth The wins that came from patience, alignment and steady systems If you're in that first messy stretch of business and wondering whether it ever gets easier, Ashli's story is proof that it does, one aligned client and one clear boundary at a time. Growth doesn't need to be loud to be real. 🌱 Resources and Links Connect with Adrienne & the Seed Community: Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA - Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle Connect with Ashli Newton: Instagram: @threeleavesadmin Facebook: Three Leaves Admin 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 Does Your First Year in Business Actually Teach You? with Ashli Newton

  2. Aug 27

    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 Donnelly pulls back the curtain on what she actually sees after reviewing hundreds of business proposals and expressions of interest through Seed's VA matchmaking service. She shares the honest, sometimes uncomfortable truth about what separates a proposal that gets ignored from one that gets a client saying yes. You'll hear about What business owners really think when they open your proposal What separates a proposal that stands out from one that blends in Why tailoring beats polish every time The essentials every business profile needs Why proofreading reflects the quality of your work If you've ever sent off a proposal and wondered why you didn't hear back, this episode gives you a clear, practical way to look at what you're sending with fresh eyes. Small changes here can make a real difference to how you're perceived, and to the opportunities that come your way. 🌱 Resources and Links Connect with Adrienne & the Seed Community: Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA - Australian Virtual Assistant Community LinkedIn: Seed Virtual Assistants Learn more about the Inner Circle: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle Grab a business profile, client proposal, or pricing and service guide template: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/templates 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. 🌱

    First Impressions Matter: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

  3. Aug 13

    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 down with Inner Circle member Emma Bennett of Em & Co Consulting, who helps women in business untangle the operational chaos behind the scenes. Emma’s own path took her from a corporate career to running a cattle station in the Kimberley and eventually to building a business around everything she learned along the way. You’ll hear about: Corporate life to a cattle station to Em & Co Consulting What working for yourself looks like rurally Why delegation feels impossible Business and life with no village of support Secret Women’s Collab and the Boldly in Business Conference If you’ve ever felt like your business runs entirely on what’s in your head, this episode is a reminder that the operations catching up doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means it’s time to build the support system your business actually needs. Resources & Links Connect with Adrienne & the Seed Community: Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants Facebook Group: Seed VA - Australian Virtual Assistant Community Learn more about the Inner Circle: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle Connect with Emma Bennett: Website: [www.emandcoconsulting.com.au](http://www.emandcoconsulting.com.auhttps://www.emandcoconsulting.com.au/) Instagram: @emandcoconsulting Learn more about Secret Women’s Collab: Website: www.secretwomenscollab.com.au Instagram: @secretwomenscollab Boldly in Business Conference, Friday 18 September 2026. Get $10 off your ticket by clicking here 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.

    Why Delegation Feels So Hard, with Emma Bennett

  4. Jul 30

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Jun 18

    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 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. 🌱

    Niching Your VA Business by Values, Not Industry, with Kathleen Amy

  8. 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
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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
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seed Virtual Assistants 2025
  • Show Website
    Seed to Success