The Sam + Jo VA Show The VA Foundry with Sam + Jo

The knock-on effect of the introduction of AI is HUGE. No one is immune – least of all virtual assistants.


We may not have a crystal ball that will predict the future (wouldn’t that be nice!), but we do have a decade plus of industry knowledge and hundreds of hours of research, testing and speaking with other experts in our greater network under our belt.


All of which has culminated in us being able to confidently predict how the VA space will look in the future ‘thanks’ to AI.


Look, it’s not all doom and gloom! In fact, we believe there are some incredible opportunities for virtual assistants ready to embrace AI in order to stay relevant!


Being the first coaches in the industry to talk about the future of VAs in an AI world is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. And finding the balance between sharing our knowledge so you can start prepping without freaking you out can be challenging.


But when have you ever known us to shy away from speaking out and telling it like it is? 😂


In this episode you’ll learn:


Our predictions of how AI will change the VA industry.What VAs need to do in order to stay relevant and future proof their businesses.Why AI doesn't have to be the 'villain' in our story.

Register for the next FREE 'Future-Proof Your VA Business in An AI World' Webinar here.


Get The AI Survival Kit here.


Sam + Jo xo

Do you pay your friends to hang out with you?


Do you expect your friends sign contracts before hanging out with you?


No?


Then why are you treating your clients like friends?


It's only natural you'll get close to certain clients, especially the long-term ones who you feel comfortable having a laugh, coffee or a cheeky wine with.


But when the lines start blurring between professional and personal, when you start questioning whether or not you should put your timer on, and when you can no longer decided whether to introduce this person as a client or a friend … well that’s when things can get tricky.


You may assume that this type of close-knit VA/client relationship is one to celebrate. We’re here to tell you that in most cases it’s one to avoid and that having defined, professional boundaries will protect you BOTH.


In this episode you’ll learn:


The VAs most at risk for allowing/encouraging the lines to blur.The unexpected consequences of treating your clients like friends.How to be friendly but not friends with clients.

Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?


Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.


Sam + Jo xo

Shouldering the responsibility of running a business, wearing all the hats and knowing the buck is always going to stop at you can feel heavy.


So heavy that it often puts aspiring VAs off from moving from lurker to launcher.


Too heavy some days that even well-established virtual assistants feel the temptation of bringing on a partner to lessen the load.


On paper, who wouldn’t want to go into business with a ride-or-die biz bestie who will always have your back?


Imagine having someone at your side to bounce around ideas, keep you motivated & inspired, do all the things you aren't great at, and who is as excited and committed to the business as you are!


Sounds like a bloody dream ... right?


For anyone considering entering a business partnership, we urge you to listen to this episode first.


You’ll learn:


The conversations you must have before going into business with someone.The alternatives that will provide you with what you are seeking.The parts of Jo’s failed business partnership you’ve never heard.

Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?


Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.


Sam + Jo xo

It’s real talk time!


Yessiree, it’s time to share some of our biggest biz “icks” as virtual assistant coaches, mentors and business owners.


Some of these icks are instant turn-offs; our personal deal breakers. Others however aren’t as black and white as we initially thought they'd be prior to hitting record.


But whether you agree with our Ick List or not, there’s no shying away from the fact that if they are on our ick radar, then some will also be your potential clients’ icks too.


In this episode you’ll learn:


The icks that have some potential clients running for the hills.The two icks that will offend you.Jo’s unexpected ick that had Sam SHOOK!

Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?


Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.


Sam + Jo xo

Some days social media seems like one massive highlight reel of gorgeous influencer-esq biz owners, working part-time hours from their spotless all-white WFH offices, who in their spare time enjoy baking with their well behaved cute AF children and make money while sleeping soundly in their super king sized beds alongside their super king sized partners 😉


And you know what they say about highlight reels?


They’re a bunch of baloney, that's what! They only showcase one side of a much bigger, more complex story.


We reckon it’s time for us all to get comfortable sharing the lows as much as the highs. ‘Cos this is real life and real life is not always sunshine and rainbows.


So it’s time to share some not so bright and shiny things about us.


In this episode you’ll learn:


The online content that makes us feel like shit.How to not get sucked in by big numbers and big results.Our most recent failures and facepalms 🤦‍♀️🤦

Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?


Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.


Sam + Jo xo

We want to preface this episode by apologising to our American listeners😉


It’s time to talk all things … stock photos. In particular:


Why we hate them.Why your leads are being put off by them.The only time you can get away with using them.What you can use instead of them.The things to look out for if you have no other choice but to use them.

It may seem like a funny thing for us to get our knickers in a knot about, but if you only knew how many leads you’re losing cos you’re hiding behind cheesy, off brand, boring, unauthentic stock photos 😭


Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?


Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.


Sam + Jo xo