Scale With Us

This episode is a full-body yes for anyone building a service-based business from scratch and wondering how the heck to scale it without losing their sanity (or the heart of what makes it great).

We sit down with Kirsty, the founder of Made Home—a premium moving and home transition service—and unpack the incredible journey from side-hustle decluttering gigs to a thriving 20+ person team and partnerships with Sydney’s top agents.

We get honest about what growth really takes, how to keep your brand reputation tight while you scale, and why letting go (literally and figuratively) is the only way forward when your business starts to grow bigger than you. 

In this episode, we chat about:

• How a few odd jobs sparked a full-blown business idea 
• The cashflow crunch that almost had her calling it quits
• Growing a team while growing a family
• Pricing lessons that changed everything
• Moving from hourly to outcomes (and why the East will pay for premium)
• How to maintain culture and quality at scale
• Reframing success when you’ve got toddlers and big dreams
  
  

Quickfire topics we cover:

• Building trust with agents and becoming their go-to
• Hiring before you’re ready (and why she’d do it again)
• Being the bottleneck vs. building a leadership team
• Scaling without selling your soul
• Why a new hire might be more important than a new CRM
• Setting up your business so you can actually step away

Chapters:
 [00:00] Tequila, Toddlers & The Business That Started With Boxes
 [04:00] Kristy’s Origin Story: From Real Estate EA to Founder
 [08:00] First Clients, First Hires & The Power of Lightbulb Moments
 [16:00] Packages, Premium Clients & Pricing for Outcomes
 [25:00] Real Talk on Systems, Capacity & Growing Pains
 [33:00] The Eastern Suburbs Tap: Are We Ready to Turn It On?
 [40:00] Cashflow Fears, Big Decisions & What She’ll Never Do Again
 [48:00] Mums, Mindset & Mapping the Next Move
 [55:00] What Would You Pay to Not See a Box?
 [01:04:00] Lessons, Legacy & Getting Out of Your Own Way

If you’ve ever felt like your business could blow up if you just had more time, more help, or a bigger belief in yourself—this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play and get ready to rethink what’s possible for your service biz.

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman – founder of AgentSync, the best VA company in Australia
Hermione Gardiner – real estate biz coach and founder of Sidekick, the best property management consultant in Australia

✨ Connect with us:
🎧 The Podcast: here
📱 AgentSync: agentsync
📱 Sidekick: sidekick.net.au

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

This week’s episode is part therapy session, part business banter—and let’s be honest, that’s how we like it.

In between mushroom drops in the drink bottle and questionable kids’ Spotify picks, Jess and Hermione go deep on the questions we don’t usually ask out loud. The kind of questions that make you pause mid-scroll and go, “Oof. That’s me.”

We’re talking about showing up more, playing small, VA misconceptions, setting boundaries, and what our businesses would say if they came with a warning label (spoiler: ours would definitely come with fine print).

This one’s quickfire-style, slightly unhinged at times, and full of juicy prompts that’ll make you rethink how you’re showing up in your biz right now.

In this episode, we unpack:

• What we’d do if we weren’t worried about being judged 👀
• Our most irrational “business icks” (real estate edition)
• Where we’re still playing small (and why)
• Workaholism vs. wanting to lie in the sun with zero pings
• Boundaries we’re setting... and breaking
• The fantasy weekend with no kids, clients, or chaos
• What success looks like now vs. five years ago
  
  

Quickfire questions we asked each other:

• What’s your “ick” in business you’d never admit out loud?
• Where are you still playing small—and what’s behind it?
• If your business had a warning label, what would it say?
• What boundaries are you trying (and failing) to hold?
• Dream weekend: No chaos, no clients. What’s on your 48-hour wishlist?
• How has your definition of success shifted?

Chapters: 

[00:00] Welcome Back: Hair Comments & Hydrolite Mums
[04:00] The Things We’d Say If We Didn’t Care What People Thought
[08:00] VA Misconceptions, Industry Icks & Staying Authentic
[13:00] Playing Bigger: Mindset, Growth & Hiring Boldly
[20:00] Boundaries, Burnout & Night Owl Boss Habits
[25:00] Dream Weekends, Banisters, and Uber Eats Escapes
[29:00] Redefining Success (And Thinking Bigger Than Survival)

💭 This one’s for the business owner juggling the big vision, the guilt, the growth... and the school run. You’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.

🎧 Tune in, answer the questions for yourself, and send this to a biz bestie who’s also trying to figure it all out.

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman – founder of AgentSync, the best VA company in Australia
Hermione Gardiner – real estate biz coach and founder of Sidekick, the best property management consultant in Australia

✨ Connect with us:

🎧 The Podcast: here
📱 AgentSync: www.agentsync.com.au
📱 Sidekick: www.sidekick.net.au

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

This week, we’re diving into that phase of business no one talks about enough—the build phase. You know the one. The calendar’s packed, sleep’s patchy, your new hire needs everything, and your CRM suddenly decides it’s not good enough.
Hermione and Jess get brutally honest about what it really looks like behind the scenes of growth. From juggling burnout and family, to hiring while already at capacity, to rethinking financial risk and self-belief—we're pulling back the curtain.

This isn’t about hustle culture. It’s about the messy middle, the moments you question everything, and the realisation that the freedom you started your business for can feel miles away... unless you make some bold moves.

Grab your sparkling water, your stress supplements, and maybe a highlighter—because this episode is packed with lightbulb moments and permission slips you didn’t know you needed.

We talk about:
• How to spot when your ‘build phase’ is turning into burnout
• Delegating when you’re a control freak (hi 👋)
• Hiring before you’re ready (but knowing it’s the only way)
• Making scary financial investments (and why it’s sometimes necessary)
• What to do when your life doesn’t match your dream week
• Simple, low-cost growth moves when money’s tight
• The emotional toll of constant responsibility (and why breaks aren’t optional)


Chapters:
[00:00] Catch Ups, Culture Trips & Sparkling Water Vibes
[04:00] When Growth Gets Heavy: Burnout, Bottlenecks & Being Mum
[13:00] The CRM Spiral & Sunday Onboarding Sessions
[20:00] Risky Moves, Mindset Shifts & Self-Funding Growth
[29:00] Team, Time, and Triggers: What’s Really Draining You
[36:00] Guilt, Gym-Time & Letting Go of the Ideal Day
[43:00] PottyBot Question: Our Most Unhinged 3am Thoughts

If you’re in a build phase, deep in the juggle, or wondering how other business owners are doing it—this one’s for you. We’re all figuring it out together (sometimes at 3am).
🎧 Tune in. Take what you need. Share it with a biz bestie.

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman – founder of AgentSync, the best VA company in Australia
Hermione Gardiner – real estate biz coach and founder of Sidekick, the best property management consultant in Australia

✨ Connect with us:
🎧 The Podcast: here
📱 AgentSync: www.agentsync.com.au
📱 Sidekick: www.sidekick.net.au

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

We’re jumping straight into the juggle—leading teams, raising kids, scaling careers, and still trying to have a life that feels like yours.

Joined by the brilliant Courtney Hill—tech leader, mum of three boys, and freshly obsessed guitar learner—we talk about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes. No fluff. No corporate spin. Just honest convos about performance, burnout, boundaries, and what it takes to do big things without losing your mind.

This ep is full of big truths, bigger laughs, and permission to not have it all figured out.

We asked:

• What does good leadership actually look like in 2025?
• Can performance management not suck?
• How do you scale when you’re raising a young family?
• Do you really need to be a natural-born leader?
• How do you make time for joy (when you barely have time to pee)?
• And what's the deal with travelling the country 70 flights a year?

Chapters:

[00:00] Welcome, Courtney! Catch-ups & Career Throwbacks
[05:00] From Music to Property to Tech—Courtney’s Wild Career Path

[13:00] Building a Biz Inside Someone Else’s Biz
[18:00] Leadership, Culture & Giving Your Team a Voice
[25:00] Performance Plans That Don’t Feel Like Punishment
[35:00] 70 Flights, 3 Kids & Making It All Work (Sort Of)
[44:00] Picking Up the Guitar at 40 (and Not Giving a Shit Who’s Watching)
[53:00] PottyBot Wild Card: If You Gave a TED Talk on Something Not Business?

If you’ve ever wondered how other women actually “do it all” (hint: they don’t), this one’s for you. Pour a drink, take a deep breath, and settle in for a masterclass in real-world leadership and letting go of the pressure to be perfect.

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman – founder of AgentSync, the best VA company in Australia
Hermione Gardiner – real estate biz coach and founder of Sidekick, the best property management consultant in Australia

✨ Connect with us:

🎧 The Podcast: here
📱 AgentSync: www.agentsync.com.au
📱 Sidekick: www.sidekick.net.au

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we’re pouring sparkling water into our Stanley cups (and then spilling it everywhere), and diving headfirst into the wild world of time management—CEO style.

From overflowing inboxes to being the biggest bottleneck in our own businesses, we unpack how we’re really doing with our time… and how delegation is the not-so-secret weapon that’s changing the game.

We talk strategy, hacks, and the real-life juggle of school pickups, client calls, and trying to find a clean pair of socks.

If you’re feeling like you’re constantly running out of hours in the day, this episode is full of real talk, relatable rants, and practical ways to get your time (and sanity) back.

We asked:

• How do you stop being the bottleneck in your business?
• What should you actually be spending your time on?
• How do you delegate without losing control?
• What’s the most efficient way to train and trust a new hire?
• What tools and systems are we loving right now?
• How do you manage the juggle when work and life feel like a lot?

Chapters:

[00:00] Welcome Back: Stanley Cups & Spilled Water
 [04:00] What “CEO Time” Really Looks Like
 [08:00] Delegation That Actually Works
 [13:00] Hermione’s Bottleneck Moment & The Realisation That Hit Hard
 [20:00] Time-Blocking, Loom Hacks & Letting Go
 [29:00] Managing the Mental Load (And Still Making Dinner)
 [38:00] Night Owl Workflows, Telegram Delegation & Life Audit Chats
 [44:00] PottyBot Wild Card: Do You Believe in Luck or Do We Create Our Own Opportunities?

If this episode hit home, share it with a biz bestie who’s deep in the juggle too. We’re all in this chaos together.

With your hosts: Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync the best VA company in Australia
and Hermione Gardiner, real estate business coach and founder of Sidekick, the best property management consultant and coach in Australia. 

Connect with us:

🎧 The Podcast: Here
📱 AgentSync: www.agentsync.com.au
📱 Sidekick: www.sidekick.net.au

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we’re kicking off the new season with a drink in hand and a chat about the messy, hilarious, and very real moments behind the scenes of running a business and life. From running on empty (literally) to the overwhelming chaos of WhatsApp groups, we dive straight back into it.

We’re also talking about the big, bold moves we’ve both made recently—hiring new team members into our businesses, what that looked like financially and emotionally, and the honest realities of stepping into growth (even when it feels a little scary).

If you’re thinking about hiring, growing your team, or navigating change in your business—this one's for you.

We asked:

• How do you know when it’s time to hire?
• What’s the real cost of bringing someone into your team?
• What happens when a hire doesn’t go to plan?
• How do you re-structure roles and keep your people aligned?
• What does “setting them up for success” actually look like?
• How do you balance being a leader with still being a parent / partner / human?

Chapters:

[00:00] Welcome Back: Sparkling Coconut Water & Petrol Panic
 [06:00] Chaos of the WhatsApp Groups
 [08:00] Why We’ve Hired New Team Members
 [13:00] Jess’s Sales Hire – The Risk, the Reality, the ROI
 [25:00] Hermione’s New Coach – Saying Yes to the Next Level
 [35:00] What It Really Takes to Grow a Team
 [44:00] PottyBot Wild Card: Who Comes First – The Kids or the Business?

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and send it to a biz bestie who’s also in the thick of scaling and juggling.

With your hosts Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync, and Hermione Gardiner, real estate business coach and founder of Sidekick.

Connect with us:

The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scalewithus

AgentSync: https://agentsync.com.au/

SideKick: https://sidekick.net.au/

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we’re diving into the real-life questions that business owners are asking right now—straight from our Instagram DMs and community. From leadership challenges to keeping your mindset strong, and whether to reinvest or finally start paying yourself more—we're unpacking it all over cocktails.We cover everything from managing team dynamics and personality clashes, to how we’re using AI tools like ChatGPT to onboard staff, streamline processes, and save hours in our day-to-day. Plus, we get honest about the emotional toll of running a business solo, what mindset shifts actually make a difference, and how to create space to recalibrate when you’re in hustle mode.If you’ve been wondering how other business owners are navigating these exact things—you’re not alone, and this ep is for you.We asked:How do you lead a team when everyone has different personalities?Are AI assistants worth the hype and how are we using them in real life?How do you keep your mindset strong when business gets tough?Should you keep reinvesting into your business—or is it finally time to pay yourself more?How do you balance growth with enjoying the money you’ve earned?Chapters:[00:00] Welcome Back: Tequila, Cocktails & Business Chats[07:00] Listener Q: Managing Teams with Different Personalities[14:00] How We’re Using AI to Scale (Without Burning Out)[22:00] The Mindset Game: What Keeps Us Grounded in Business[30:00] Big Q: Do I Reinvest or Start Paying Myself More?[34:00] Life Beyond Business: Legacy, Charity & What’s NextIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a friend or fellow business leader who would enjoy our chat. With your hosts Jessica Whatman, the founder of AgentSync (best virtual assistant agency) and Hermione Gardiner, leading real estate business coach and founder of Sidekick.Connect with us: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scalewithusAgentSync: https://agentsync.com.au/SideKick: SideKick: https://sidekick.net.au/

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Amanda, a powerhouse entrepreneur, brand strategist, and former political media advisor, who has navigated multiple career pivots to build a life on her own terms. From starting out in real estate to representing politicians, launching a PR agency, and now stepping into the podcasting world, Amanda shares the highs, the pivots, and the lessons learned along the way.We talk about balancing motherhood with ambition, the mindset shifts needed to take big leaps, and how to create a life that aligns with your vision. If you’ve ever questioned whether you can make a career change or build something of your own, this episode is for you!We asked:How did Amanda transition from real estate to politics to PR and beyond?What made her leave stable jobs to build something of her own?How does she balance business, personal brand, and motherhood?What mindset shifts were key to taking the leap into entrepreneurship?Why did she start her new project, 'NXT SZN', and what’s the vision behind it?How can women create more freedom while growing their careers?Chapters:[00:00] Welcome: Our First Guest & Exciting Conversations[07:00] Amanda’s Career Evolution: From Real Estate to Politics to PR[14:00] The Leap Into Entrepreneurship & Launching Yellow Panda[22:00] Balancing Motherhood & Business: The Reality & Lessons Learned[30:00] Building a Personal Brand: Why It’s Non-Negotiable in 2025[38:00] The Birth of 'NXT SZN' : A New Business & Podcast Vision[45:00] How to Think Bigger & Take Action on Your DreamsIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! Let’s keep the conversation going.Connect with us:The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scalewithusAgentSync: https://agentsync.com.au/SideKick: https://sidekick.net.au/

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of personal branding and how it can transform your business. From attracting clients to building authority in your industry, having a strong personal brand can set you apart—but how much do you really need to share?We get real about the highs and lows of showing up online, what’s worked for us, and the strategies we swear by to create content that connects. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your brand, this episode is packed with actionable insights.We asked:What is personal branding, and why does it matter?Can you build a personal brand without sharing your private life?How does social media help generate business?What are the biggest mistakes people make with their personal brand?How do you get comfortable on camera?What are the easiest ways to start building a brand without spending hours online?Chapters:[00:00] The Studio Booking Disaster & Making Mistakes in Business[07:00] What Is Personal Branding (And Why It’s Essential)[14:00] Balancing Business & Personal Life on Social Media[22:00] How Personal Branding Attracts Clients & Even Team Members[30:00] Simple Daily Habits to Build Your Brand[38:00] Getting Comfortable on Camera (Yes, You Can!)[45:00] Our #1 Personal Branding Tips You Can Start TodayIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a fellow business owner or entrepreneur who needs to hear this! We can’t wait to bring you more insights next week.Connect with us:The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scalewithusAgentSync: https://agentsync.com.au/ SideKick: https://sidekick.net.au/

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick

In this episode, we're shaking things up and diving straight into listener questions! From scaling your business and structuring your team to managing cash flow and effective delegation, we tackle the topics you’ve been asking about.We answer:How do you structure a small property management company up to 250 properties in terms of staff, VAs, and software?What are the best communication channels for team collaboration and task setting in one tool?If you were starting a property management business, where would you start to find new clients?How do you get staff to consistently follow processes?Should you discount your fees to win new business?What’s your biggest business mistake, and how did you pivot to fix it?How do you manage cash flow while growing a business?Chapters:[00:00] Welcome: A Different Format & Listener Questions [02:00] Structuring a Property Management Business for Growth [07:00] Best Communication & Task Management Tools [10:30] Finding New Clients When Starting a Property Management Business [15:00] Why Staff Don’t Follow Processes & How to Fix It [20:00] Should You Discount Fees to Win Business? [28:00] Our Biggest Business Mistakes & Lessons Learned [35:00] Managing Cash Flow While Scaling [42:00] The Importance of Delegation & Letting GoIf you’re looking for practical insights, real-world business experiences, and a bit of fun along the way, this episode is for you.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with a fellow business owner or entrepreneur who needs to hear this!Connect with us:The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scalewithusAgentSync: https://agentsync.com.auSideKick: https://sidekick.net.au/

Free Download
The Ultimate Personal Branding Blueprint

A free guide for agents, PMs and BDMs who want to stand out, get noticed and grow their business.

👉 Download the guide

The Brand Lab
Marketing made easier for real estate pros

Brand Lab is your shortcut to better content, stronger branding and more leads.

👉 Join now

With your hosts:
Jessica Whatman, founder of AgentSync
Hermione Gardiner, founder of Sidekick