Have you ever felt like your story was too heavy, too personal, or too complicated to say out loud? Like the things you've survived don't belong in a professional space or a public conversation?

So many women are carrying experiences they've never spoken about, not because they don't matter, but because no one ever created a space that felt safe enough to share them.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Cat Dunn, award-winning OBM, mentor, speaker, and founder of the live speaker event and global podcast Life After I Left. Cat shares the deeply personal journey behind building a platform dedicated to amplifying women's stories, from surviving domestic violence to creating one of Australia's most courageous storytelling communities. This is a conversation about vulnerability, purpose, and what becomes possible when women are finally given the stage.

You'll hear about:

🌱 The story behind Life After I Left and why Cat built her own stage

🌱 How vulnerability became Cat's greatest tool in business and life

🌱 Why women's stories need dedicated spaces to be heard

🌱 Running a passion project alongside a busy OBM business

🌱 What's coming in 2026, including Bali and a nationwide tour vision

Your story has weight, it has reach. And there is someone out there who needs to hear exactly what you've been through. You don't have to share it all at once, and you don't have to have it perfectly packaged. Showing up honestly, even when your voice shakes, is enough.

Website: seedvirtualassistants.com.au

Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants

Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community

Learn more about the Inner Circle: seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

Website: www.catlouisedunn.com I

nstagram: @lifeafterileftpodcast and @catlouisedunn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunn

Ready to Boss Legal offers easy-to-use legal templates to help protect your business without the stress or high legal fees. Use code SEED10 for 10% off. Visit: www.readytobosslegal.com.au

Signing a new client feels exciting. The discovery call goes well, the proposal is accepted, and you’re officially “in”.

But what happens after that?

In our industry, we talk a lot about attracting and onboarding clients. And yes, those stages matter. But if you want a sustainable, profitable VA or OBM business, the real work and the real opportunity sits in everything that follows.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Michelle Broadbent, business mentor and founder of Accountability Circle, about the four stages of the client lifecycle and how to manage each one with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Michelle works closely with female founders and brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what makes client relationships thrive, and what quietly causes them to unravel.

Together, they unpack how to position yourself as a trusted partner, protect yourself with strong foundations, deepen retainer relationships, and confidently navigate renewals or endings when the time comes.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 The four stages of the client lifecycle: Attract, Engage, Manage, and Renew (or Release)

🌱 Why positioning yourself as a business owner, not an employee, changes the dynamic instantly

🌱 Setting clear expectations, boundaries, and terms from the very beginning

🌱 Adding value during long-term retainers so you become indispensable, not replaceable

🌱 How to handle renewals proactively and release misaligned clients gracefully

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to move beyond “just doing the work” and into becoming a true strategic partner in your clients’ businesses, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. You’re not just support. You are building a business of your own. And the way you manage the full client lifecycle shapes the sustainability, profitability, and energy of that business long term.

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 Michelle Broadbent and Accountability Circle:

Website: https://michellebroadbent.com.au

Instagram: @michbroadbent

🔔 This episode is sponsored by Ready to Boss Legal.

Ready to Boss Legal offers easy-to-use legal templates to help protect your business without the stress or high legal fees. Use code SEED10 for 10% off.

Visit: https://www.readytobosslegal.com.au

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. 🌱

Some seasons of business feel exciting and full of possibility. Others feel like you’re carrying a lot of “what now?” questions around with you, especially if you’re coming out of a traditional career and wondering what’s next.

You might be craving more flexibility, more creativity, and work that actually fits your life, but the idea of starting or growing a VA or OBM business feels big, messy, and a little unknown. If you’re somewhere in that in-between space, this conversation will help you feel less alone and a lot more grounded about what’s possible.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Hannah Caruso, the creative behind Virtually Hannah and a solutions-driven virtual assistant who moved from the legal world into flexible, values-led virtual support. Hannah shares how she went from “wizard of the legal realm” to small-but-mighty business owner, what surprised her most about running her own business, and how she’s learning to slow the noise, back herself, and build something that feels like her.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 What prompted Hannah’s shift from the legal field into VA life

🌱 The mindset moves that helped her step into “business owner”

🌱 What CEO time and time blocking look like in real life

🌱 Finding clients in ways that feel natural, not salesy

🌱 Redefining success and choosing patience over “10k month” pressure

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re “ready enough” to start or grow your VA or OBM business, take this as your gentle nudge to begin before it’s perfect. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and let your brand, offers, and idea of success evolve over time. Your pace is valid, your path is yours, and you’re doing better than you think.

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 Hannah: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtuallyhannah_/

🔔 This episode is sponsored by Ready to Boss Legal. Ready to Boss Legal offers easy-to-use legal templates to help protect your business without the stress or high legal fees.

Use code SEED10 for 10% off.

Visit: https://www.readytobosslegal.com.au

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. 🌱

This time of year can feel a bit strange. Everyone seems to be charging ahead with big goals and bold plans, while you might still be feeling tired, reflective, or unsure what you actually want next.

If you’re a VA, OBM, or online service provider who wants your business to grow but not at the cost of your health, family, or flexibility, this episode is a gentle pause. A chance to slow things down and think about what you’re really building, not just what you feel like you should be working towards.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly, guides you through a thoughtful approach to goal setting for 2026. Rather than rushing straight into new plans, Adrienne invites you to reflect on the year that’s been, define what success actually means for you, and choose goals that align with your current season of life.

If you are wanting clarity, direction, and intention, without pressure or perfection, this episode is for you.

You’ll hear about

🌱 Why reflecting on 2025 is just as important as planning for 2026

🌱 How to define success in a way that feels personal and realistic

🌱 Choosing a theme for the year to guide your decisions

🌱 Setting a small number of goals that match your capacity

🌱 Using January as a gentle reset rather than a full sprint

You don’t need everything mapped out right now. Growth doesn’t have to be loud or rushed to be meaningful. This episode is a reminder that steady, intentional steps count, and that your business is allowed to support your life, not compete with it. Take what resonates, leave the rest, and trust that clarity builds over time.

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. 🌱

Some days business feels really good… and other days it feels like you’re carrying your whole world on your shoulders. Client work, kids, school notes, invoices, laundry piles, and somewhere in there you’re meant to be “the CEO” too.

You might be thinking about hiring or bringing in more support, but the idea of managing people, setting expectations, and “being a leader” can feel pretty heavy. If that’s where you’re at, this conversation with Ash will help you feel seen and a little more supported in what you’re carrying. 🌱

In this episode, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Ash Battye, founder of Emerald HQ and co-founder of Secret Women’s Collab. Ash shares how she went from resume writer to VA to the go-to hiring and culture partner for small business owners who want values-led support, not corporate HR. Together, they talk honestly about juggling business, kids, and a shift-working husband, what it really takes to lead people well, and how to build a business that fits your actual life.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 How Ash grew from resume writer and VA into running Emerald HQ

🌱 What juggling business, young kids, and a shift-working partner really looks like

🌱 Simple leadership shifts to stop doing everything yourself

🌱 Early signs you’re heading towards burnout and how to reset gently

🌱 Finding community that fits your season, not your “shoulds”

If you’ve been thinking, “Something has to change, but I’m not sure where to start,” this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to fix everything at once. You’re allowed to take small, steady steps, ask for help, and set your business up in a way that works for you and your family right now. Your version of success gets to be flexible, human, and completely your own.

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 Ash Battye & Emerald HQ

Website: emeraldhq.com.au

Instagram: @emeraldhqau

Facebook: Emerald HQ

LinkedIn: Ash Battye

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. 🌱

You know those moments in business where you’re trying to do “the right thing,” but every tool, platform, and strategy just feels… heavier than it should?

Or when showing up online suddenly feels like the hardest part of your week?

So many VAs and OBMs feel that, but we rarely say it out loud. And that’s why this conversation with Sarah feels like a deep exhale, honest, practical, and full of those “oh thank goodness, it’s not just me” moments.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Sarah Thomson, Digital Marketing Coach, trainer, speaker, and founder of Online Social Butterfly. Sarah shares what 14 years in business has really looked like… the pivots, the overwhelm, the visibility wobblies, and the freedom that comes from keeping things simple and human.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 How Sarah’s business changed completely over the years (and why that’s normal)

🌱 Why visibility feels so personal and the mindset shift that makes it easier

🌱 The real reason so many women feel overwhelmed by tech and tools

🌱 What VAs and OBMs can share online to build connection and trust

🌱 Simple ways to review your workload and systems so business feels lighter

You don’t need perfect branding, fancy software, or endless confidence to grow a sustainable business. You just need clarity, honesty with yourself, and the courage to show up as you are. Small steps count. And you're doing better than you think.

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 Sarah Thomson and Online Social Butterfly:

Website: www.onlinesocialbutterfly.com.au

Instagram: @onlinesocialbutterfly

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. 🌱

You know those seasons in business where everything feels fine… until suddenly it really isn’t? One day you’re getting things done, the next you’re staring at your laptop thinking, “Wow, my brain has officially checked out.”

We’ve all been there, holding everything together, pushing through tiredness, promising ourselves we’ll take a break “after this one thing.” You’re allowed to pause before it gets heavy. Support is allowed. Slowing down is allowed. And you’re definitely not the only one figuring this out as you go.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Jessica Conner, Founder and Strategic Director of Jessica Conner Consulting. Jess went from leading large corporate teams to experiencing a burnout that completely reshaped how she defined success. Today, she runs a thriving VA + OBM agency built around one core mission: helping business owners create space to breathe again. It’s an honest, grounded conversation with plenty of moments you’ll recognise in your own journey.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 What burnout taught Jess about success and asking for help

🌱 How she booked out her first month without cold pitching

🌱 Why genuine connection matters more than perfect marketing

🌱 What “space to breathe” looks like in real VA + OBM life

🌱 The biggest lessons Jess learned from growing a team of five

If you’ve been feeling stretched or second-guessing your next step, this chat is a reminder that you don’t need to rush. You’re allowed to slow down, reset, seek support, and build your business in a way that feels sustainable for you. Truly you’re doing better than you think.

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

Inner Circle: https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

Connect with Jessica:

Website: https://www.jessicaconner.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicaconner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjessicaconner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jessicaconner

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. 🌱

If you’ve ever cringed at the thought of a photoshoot or wondered what to do with that folder full of untouched branding photos, you’re not alone. For many of us running online businesses, being the face of our brand can feel just as confronting as it is important.

But here’s the thing, the right photos don’t just make your website look good. They help your audience see you. The real you, the human you behind the business.

In this episode, host Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Claire Miles, personal branding photographer and founder of Oak Street Creative Co. Claire is passionate about helping women in business feel confident on camera and create visuals that reflect who they truly are. Together, they chat about what makes a photo authentic, why consistency builds trust online, and how to use your photos intentionally across your social media and website.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 Why authenticity matters more than perfection when it comes to your brand photos

🌱 What really helps you relax and feel like yourself on camera (no awkward posing required)

🌱 How to use your brand photos to create a cohesive, trustworthy online presence

🌱 The story behind The Visual Strategy Lab **and how it’s helping business owners put their visuals to work

🌱 Claire’s take on AI photography and what it means for creative entrepreneurs

The more you show up as yourself, the easier it becomes for people to trust you. If it’s been a while since you updated your photos or you’ve been avoiding the camera altogether this episode is your sign to take that step.

Resources & 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

📲 Connect with Claire Miles and Oak Street Creative Co.

Website: oakstreetcreativeco.com.au

Instagram: @oakstreetcreativeco

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. 🌱

If you’ve ever second-guessed your onboarding process (or realised your offboarding process is basically just an email and a wave), you’re not alone. Whether you’ve been in business for five minutes or five years, refining the way you look after your clients from first enquiry to offboarding, makes a massive difference.

In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Inner Circle member and systems queen Mariana Gaona Lopez, founder of Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions. Mariana helps online service providers declutter their digital spaces and streamline the way they deliver their services without the overwhelm. Together, they unpack what a supportive client journey actually looks like, and how it can work for your clients and for you.

🌱 What the client journey really includes, beyond just onboarding

🌱 Why SOPs and offboarding matter more than you think

🌱 Mariana’s go-to tools for automating (without losing the personal touch)

🌱 Ways to tailor your client experience without burning yourself out

🌱 How to spot red flags early and hold strong boundaries with heart

This conversation is your gentle nudge to simplify, personalise and own your client journey even if it’s not perfect yet. Start small. Keep it real. You get to do it your way.

🌱 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

📲 Connect with Mariana Gaona Lopez and Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions:

Website: pinkoceanvs.com.au

Instagram: @pinkoceanvs

Facebook: Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions

LinkedIn: Mariana Gaona Lopez

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. 🌱

Ever found yourself trying to explain what you do… and watching the other person’s eyes glaze over? Or maybe you’ve had that gut feeling that your website, socials, or service descriptions aren’t quite saying what you mean or attracting the clients you really want to work with?  

If you’ve been second guessing your messaging or wondering why the right clients aren’t knocking, this episode is a supportive, eye-opening guide to getting clear and confident with your words.  

In this episode, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Tahnée Sanders, founder of The Strategy Studio. With a background in journalism, content strategy, and creative direction, Tahnée helps female founders clarify and communicate their value through messaging strategy, copywriting, and AI powered content tools. Together, they dive into the role language plays in attracting aligned clients, setting boundaries, and growing a business that feels truly good.  

You’ll hear about:   
- Why clear, confident messaging is your most powerful business tool   
- How to stop convincing and start connecting with the right clients   
- Tips for identifying your dream clients (hint: it’s not just about income)   
- Why niching isn’t always about industry and what to focus on instead   
- A simple shift from features to benefits that can change everything  

There’s no perfect script or one size fits all strategy and that’s the beauty of it. You’re allowed to grow, shift, and refine your messaging as you evolve. The most important part? Let your words sound like you. The more your message reflects your value, the more your dream clients will see it too.  

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  

Connect with Tahnée Saunders and The Strategy Studio: 
Website: www.thestrategystudio.com
Instagram: @thestrategystudio
LinkedIn: Tahnée Sanders  

Recommended Reading: Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley – a brilliant read on building demand for your services and becoming the go-to in your niche. Grab it here: Oversubscribed  

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.