When you think about innovation, what comes to mind? Tech giants and shiny apps? In this episode of Deadlines and Dirty Dishes, I’m flipping that idea on its head and putting the spotlight on freelancers.

From kitchen tables and co-working spaces, we’re quietly driving innovation in real, sustainable, and powerful ways. I’m sharing insights from my own journey as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, along with reflections on how freelancers are reshaping small business operations with one practical solution at a time.

Whether you’re a freelancer, work with one, or just want a deeper look at the real future of work, this one’s for you.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• Why freelancers are a driving force behind everyday business innovation
• How working across industries leads to smarter, transferable solutions
• The role of strategic delegation and why it’s a turning point for many founders
• What “real-world” innovation looks like (and why it’s not always flashy)
• How freelancer networks quietly fuel cross-industry transformation

🧠 Key Themes

• Innovation as lived experience, not just theory
• Why freelancers are the hidden infrastructure of the modern economy
• Collaboration, lateral thinking, and the power of iteration
• Building systems that work with your budget and bandwidth
• How agility, adaptability, and community are shaping the future of work

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

Looking to explore some of the organisations I mention?

👉 Society of Virtual Assistants UK
👉 IPSE – Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed
👉 Enterprise Nation – Freelance Community
👉 Office for National Statistics – Self-Employment Trends
👉 Bristol Creative Industries

📩 Let’s Connect

Have your own overwhelm story or strategy to share?
DM me on Instagram @alisonquinnvirtualassistant or get in touch via the website:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/contact/

Thanks for tuning in to Deadlines and Dirty Dishes. If you loved what you heard, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a fellow freelancer or founder.

For further resources, or to learn more about how I can support your business as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, head to my website, Alison Quinn Virtual Assistant - OBM and Business Support.

Or visit my socials:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

You’re overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and somehow still the bottleneck in your own business. You know you need support, but what kind?

In this episode of Deadlines and Dirty Dishes, I dive into one of the most common questions I hear from freelancers and founders: “Should I hire a Virtual Assistant or an Online Business Manager?” I break down the real differences between these roles, share signs it might be time to bring someone in, and talk honestly about what flexible support can look like as your business evolves.

Whether you’re delegating for the first time or considering a step up in strategic support, this episode will help you make a confident, informed decision.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• The key differences between a Virtual Assistant and an Online Business Manager
• Real examples of how my clients have evolved from VA to OBM support
• Why the kind of help you need depends on your business stage, goals, and pain points
• How hybrid support can meet you where you are and grow with you
• What to consider before hiring your first support partner

🧠 Key Themes

• From “I need help” to “I need the right help”
• Delegation as a mindset shift, not just a task list
• Building trust that leads to deeper, more strategic support
• Why evolving support is a sign of business growth, not a luxury
• The value of clarity, consistency, and a second brain

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

Need a breakdown of what VAs and OBMs actually do?
 👉 Read the full guide on my website

🧭 What’s Next?
Not sure what kind of support you need first?
👉 Take the VA or OBM Quiz

📩 Let’s Connect
Have your own overwhelm story or strategy to share?
DM me on Instagram @alisonquinnvirtualassistant or get in touch via the website:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/contact/

Thanks for tuning in to Deadlines and Dirty Dishes. If you loved what you heard, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a fellow freelancer or founder.

For further resources, or to learn more about how I can support your business as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, head to my website, Alison Quinn Virtual Assistant - OBM and Business Support.

Or visit my socials:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Ever feel like your to-do list is plotting against you? Like you’re treading water in your business and home life while the current just keeps getting stronger?

In this episode of Deadlines and Dirty Dishes, I share my honest experience of overwhelm, not just from work, but from the relentless overlap of solo parenting, school holidays, and managing client demands. I unpack the strategies I now rely on to protect my energy, structure my time, and navigate the chaos with more clarity and calm.

Whether you’re a freelancer, a parent, or running your own business (or all three at once), this episode offers both empathy and actionable support.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• What overwhelm really looks like — and why it’s not a sign of failure
• 10 practical strategies that actually work when you feel stuck or overloaded
• How to reset your mindset and momentum with simple, sustainable changes
• Why breaks, boundaries, and planning ahead are non-negotiable tools for productivity
• How systems and support help prevent burnout, not just relieve it

🧠 Key Themes

• From reactive to proactive: managing energy, not just time
• The emotional toll of doing everything yourself — and how to change that
• Building business systems that align with your real life (including school holidays)
• Finding clarity through reflection, delegation, and calm focus

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

Want support implementing any of the strategies I talk about today?
 Explore how working with a VA or OBM could support your business here:
 👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/services-va-vs-obm-proven-support-for-your-business/

🧭 What’s Next?
Still not sure what kind of support your business needs?
Take the VA or OBM Quiz and discover what to delegate first:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/va-or-obm-quiz/

📩 Let’s Connect
Have your own overwhelm story or strategy to share?
DM me on Instagram @alisonquinnvirtualassistant or get in touch via the website:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/contact/

Thanks for tuning in to Deadlines and Dirty Dishes. If you loved what you heard, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a fellow freelancer or founder.

For further resources, or to learn more about how I can support your business as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, head to my website, Alison Quinn Virtual Assistant - OBM and Business Support.

Or visit my socials:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

What can reading Room on the Broom with your child teach you about running a business? Quite a lot, actually.

In this episode of Deadlines and Dirty Dishes, I share the unexpected way bedtime stories with my daughter reshaped how I think about productivity, growth, and client relationships. From rediscovering my own love of reading to seeing the power of consistency and collaboration, this is the story of how something simple became deeply transformative.

Whether you're a parent, a business owner, or someone who’s juggling both, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the quiet rituals that build momentum and the partnerships that sustain it.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• How bedtime reading sparked a deeper approach to personal and professional growth
• The surprising parallels between parenting rituals and business systems
• Why collaboration and shared purpose create the strongest VA/client relationships
• How consistent support builds trust, momentum, and sustainability in business
• The mindset shift that happens when you stop trying to do everything alone

🧠 Key Themes

• Building connection through shared experiences
• Letting go of control to make room for real growth
• Reframing support as a strategic advantage, not a last resort
• Creating business rituals that mirror life-giving habits

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

• Books that inspired this episode:
   I Am Rebel, Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo, The Christmasaurus, Hetty Feather, Where the Crawdads Sing, Lessons in Chemistry, and Atmosphere
• Want to explore how working with a VA or OBM could transform your business? https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/services-va-vs-obm-proven-support-for-your-business/

🤝 Final Thought

Reading with my daughter taught me that growth comes from showing up consistently, being present, and sharing the experience. That same principle applies to business support. You don’t have to do it all alone. When you stop trying, something magical happens.

📩 Let’s Connect
Have your own overwhelm story or strategy to share?
DM me on Instagram @alisonquinnvirtualassistant or get in touch via the website:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/contact/

Thanks for tuning in to Deadlines and Dirty Dishes. If you loved what you heard, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a fellow freelancer or founder.

For further resources, or to learn more about how I can support your business as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, head to my website, Alison Quinn Virtual Assistant - OBM and Business Support.

Or visit my socials:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

In this episode, I share what it’s really like to run a business while living with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition I’ve managed for over two decades. From sleepless nights and brain fog to client meetings and content deadlines, this episode explores eight practical, tested strategies that have helped me balance long-term pain with sustainable productivity.

Whether you live with chronic pain, support someone who does, or simply want to build a more body-aware business, I hope you find something useful here.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• How to structure your workday around pain patterns
• Why hydration, nutrition and sleep are foundational to energy and focus
• How to use movement, layering, and ergonomic tools to prevent flare-ups
• The power of early intervention and listening to your body
• Mindfulness tools that support both wellbeing and productivity

🔗 Further Reading and Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino
  https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
• NHS – 10 Ways to Ease Pain
  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/pain/10-ways-to-ease-pain/
• Breathworks Mindfulness Taster Session
  https://www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk/Pages/Events/Category/online-group-session
• Sleep Foundation – Tips for Better Sleep with Chronic Pain
  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/pain-and-sleep
• Harvard Health – Foods That Fight Inflammation
  https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
• Arthritis Foundation – Best Drinks for Arthritis
  https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-eating/best-drinks-for-arthritis

🤝 Final Thought

Managing pain and running a business isn’t about pushing through. It's about working with your body. Be patient with yourself. Celebrate the small wins. And remember, your productivity doesn’t define your value!

📩 Let’s Connect
Have your own overwhelm story or strategy to share?
DM me on Instagram @alisonquinnvirtualassistant or get in touch via the website:
👉 https://alisonquinnvirtualassistant.co.uk/contact/

Thanks for tuning in to Deadlines and Dirty Dishes. If you loved what you heard, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a fellow freelancer or founder.

For further resources, or to learn more about how I can support your business as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager, head to my website, Alison Quinn Virtual Assistant - OBM and Business Support.

Or visit my socials:

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube