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.

If you’ve ever felt behind when it comes to systems or second-guessed the value of your admin skills, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, we chat with Marianne Tansley, founder of Thrive Admin Services. With decades of experience as an executive assistant and admin expert, Marianne now helps VAs and corporate support professionals build better systems using Microsoft 365, document their processes, and step fully into their value.

Together, Adrienne and Marianne unpack what it means to thrive as an admin, why systems don’t have to be scary, and how sharing knowledge helps lift the whole industry.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 How Marianne shifted from corporate EA to business owner

🌱 Practical ways to use Microsoft 365 to save time and stay organised

🌱 Why documenting processes can help you grow with confidence

🌱 What it means to “career-proof” yourself as a VA or admin pro

🌱 How to raise the standard for admin work — without burning out

If you’ve ever thought “I’m just the admin,” this episode is a reminder that your skills, experience and perspective are not only valuable, they’re essential.

Resources and 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 Marianne Tansley and Thrive Admin Services:

Website: www.thriveadmin.com

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-tansley

🔔This episode is sponsored by Ready to Boss Legal. **Ready to Boss Legal offers easy-to-use online legal templates designed to protect your business without the hassle of expensive fees or complicated contracts. As a listener of Seed to Success, you can get 10% off any template using the code SEED10 at checkout. Visit www.readytobosslegal.com to explore their full range of templates and resources.

If this episode reminded you that you're doing more than “just admin,” share it with a fellow business bestie. And hit subscribe so you never miss what’s next on Seed to Success. 🌱

If the legal side of business feels confusing or overwhelming, this episode is here to help.

In this conversation, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Emma Heuston, lawyer, author and founder of Ready to Boss Legal. After 23 years in legal practice, Emma now works exclusively with women in business making contracts, scope protection and IP feel simple, not scary.

Together, Adrienne and Emma break down what you actually need to protect your business, your time and your peace of mind.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 The must-have contracts every VA and OBM should have
🌱 How to protect your scope and intellectual property
🌱 What to do when things go wrong (and how to handle it calmly)
🌱 Key tips for working with subcontractors
🌱 Why legal protection is a smart, confidence-building move

If you’ve been putting off the legal stuff, this is your gentle nudge to start. It doesn’t have to be complicated and it can actually feel empowering.

Resources and 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 Emma Heuston:

Website: https://readytobosslegal.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/readytobosslegal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readytobosslegal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-remote-expert

🔔This episode is sponsored by Ready to Boss Legal.
Ready to Boss Legal offers easy-to-use online legal templates designed to protect your business without the hassle of expensive fees or complicated contracts. As a listener of Seed to Success, you can get 10% off any template using the code SEED10 at checkout. Visit www.readytobosslegal.com to explore their full range of templates and resources.

If this episode made legal protection feel doable, send it to a business bestie. And hit subscribe so you never miss what’s next on Seed to Success. 🌱

Leaving behind a long-term career can feel like stepping into the unknown, especially when you’ve spent decades in the same industry. But sometimes, what you’re stepping away from is the very thing that gives you the strength and skills to build something new.

In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Sharon Ella, Canva designer, social media manager, and founder of Ella & Co Creative. Sharon is also a much-loved member of the Inner Circle. After over 30 years in banking, she decided to rewrite her story from the ground up. With a self-taught Canva toolkit and a whole lot of determination, Sharon has built a thriving creative business helping service providers show up online with clarity and confidence.

This conversation is honest, uplifting and full of the kind of perspective that only comes from starting over and finding your way by doing. Whether you’re wondering what’s next or just want to feel less alone in your business journey, you’ll find something here that lands.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 How Sharon went from redundancy to reinvention and found purpose in her pivot

🌱 The surprising way she landed her first dream client and leaned into her niche

🌱 What she’s learned about boundaries, pricing and walking away from the wrong fit

🌱 The power of saying yes to support, community and connection

🌱 Why confidence grows when you act like a business owner, even when imposter feelings show up

If you’re in a season of change, second-guessing your path or simply craving more alignment in your work, Sharon’s story is a gentle reminder that it’s never too late to begin again. You get to shape a business that feels like yours, one choice at a time.

Resources and Links:

🌱 Come join Adrienne and the Seed VA community:

Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au

Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants

Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community

Want to learn more about the Inner Circle?

The Inner Circle is a high-touch membership for VAs and OBMs who want to grow with intention, feel supported and stay connected.

Learn more: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

📲 Connect with Sharon Ella and Ella & Co Creative:

Instagram: @ellaandcocreative

Website: www.ellaandcocreative.com.au

If this episode made you feel a little more hopeful, or reminded you that you’re not alone, pass it on to a fellow business bestie. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss what’s next on Seed to Success. 🌱

If you’ve ever wondered how your digital presence affects the planet, or you’ve felt unsure where to start with building a more sustainable website, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Sez Gower, eco-conscious web designer and founder of Whale Tail Digital. Sez creates beautiful, accessible and low-impact websites for values-led businesses and organisations that care deeply about people and planet. With more than 20 years of experience in web design and a lifelong passion for environmental sustainability, she brings a refreshingly simple and practical take on designing with intention.

Adrienne and Sez unpack what it really means to create a sustainable website, why it matters in today’s digital world, and how you can make small but powerful changes to your site that benefit your business and the environment.

If you’ve been looking for ways to align your digital space with the heart of your business, this episode is a great place to start.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 What makes a website more sustainable and why it’s something worth caring about
🌱 How image sizes, videos and plug-ins impact your site’s performance and carbon load
🌱 Simple tips for making your site more accessible and user-friendly
🌱 The link between fast-loading websites and better experiences for your audience
🌱 Why thoughtful design choices can help your business reflect your values online

Resources and Links:

🌱 Come join Adrienne and the Seed VA community:
Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au
Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants
Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community
Want to learn more about the Inner Circle? The Inner Circle is our high-touch membership for VAs and OBMs who want to grow with intention, feel supported and stay connected. Learn more: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

📲 Connect with Sez Gower and Whale Tail Digital:
Website: www.whaletaildigital.com
Instagram: @whaletaildigital

🧰 Resources mentioned by Sez in this episode:

If this episode gave you something to think about or helped you see your website in a new light, share it with a fellow business bestie. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss what’s next on Seed to Success. 🌱

If you've ever second-guessed yourself in a client conversation or walked away from an email thread thinking “I should’ve said that differently”, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Seed to Success, host Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Seed Inner Circle member Lee Longmire from Lee Longmire & Co, The Message Curator, to talk about what it really looks like to speak up with clarity, confidence and strength as a service provider. Lee is a digital communication specialist who helps women in business stop people-pleasing, get clear on their messaging, and start communicating like the business owners they are.

This episode explores the tricky moments that so many VAs, OBMs and freelancers face. Think scope creep, blurred boundaries, or simply struggling to find the right words when something doesn’t feel quite right. Lee offers thoughtful, practical insights to help you communicate with more confidence and ease, while staying true to your values.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 Why scope creep is often a messaging issue, not just a boundary one

🌱 How to step out of the employee mindset and show up as a business owner

🌱 The subtle language shifts that help you sound more confident and less apologetic

🌱 What it means to lead client conversations with clarity and professionalism

🌱 The importance of community, curiosity and knowing when to say “that’s not in my wheelhouse, but I’m willing to learn”

Whether you're early in your VA journey or have been in business for years, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters, and that boundaries don’t have to come at the cost of kindness.

Resources and Links:

🌱 Come join Adrienne and the Seed VA community:

Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au

Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants

Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community

Want to learn more about the Inner Circle?

The Inner Circle is our high-touch membership for VAs and OBMs who want to grow with intention, feel supported and stay connected. It includes monthly masterclasses, expert guidance and a genuinely helpful community.

Learn more: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

📲 Connect with Lee Longmire:

Website: www.leelongmireco.com.au

Instagram: @leelongmireco

🔔 This episode is sponsored by the Virtual Assistant Lead Network.

You can preview available client opportunities at www.valeadnetwork.com.au

Use code FRIENDSOFSEED for 30% off your first month or year as a new member (all caps, one word)

If this episode gave you something to think about or helped you feel more confident in how you communicate with clients, send it to a fellow business bestie. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss what’s next on Seed to Success. 🌱

Ever wished you could ask a fellow VA or OBM how they really do it? This episode is your chance to listen in as Adrienne answers real questions submitted by members of the Seed community, covering everything from setting boundaries with clients to building confidence when you're just starting out.

In this episode, Adrienne shares grounded, practical advice drawn from nearly a decade of experience running her own VA business and mentoring others. Whether you're brand new to the industry or feeling ready to grow, you'll find support, strategy and honest encouragement in this heartfelt conversation.

You’ll hear about:

🌱 How to manage client expectations and avoid scope creep

🌱 When (and how) to raise your prices or shift away from hourly rates

🌱 What to do if you don’t have testimonials yet

🌱 Habits to build now if you want to grow into a CEO role

🌱 How to future-proof your business so you can take time off

🌱 The most important advice Adrienne’s received about running a sustainable business

This episode is packed with real talk and kind, thoughtful insights to help you feel more confident and supported at every stage of your journey.

Resources and Links:

🌱 Come join Adrienne and the Seed VA community:

Website: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au

Instagram: @seedvirtualassistants

Facebook Group: Seed VA – Australian Virtual Assistant Community

Want to learn more about the Inner Circle?

The Inner Circle is a membership for VAs and OBMs who want to grow with intention, feel supported and stay connected. It’s packed with monthly masterclasses, expert guidance and a like-minded community who truly get it.

Find out more here: www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/innercircle

🔔 This episode is sponsored by the Virtual Assistant Lead Network.

You can preview available client opportunities at www.valeadnetwork.com.au

Use code FRIENDSOFSEED for 30% off your first month or year as a new member (all caps, one word)

If this episode gave you a few aha moments or helped you feel less alone, share it with a business bestie who’d love it too. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss what’s coming next on Seed to Success. 🌱