In this energising episode, we sit down with Katie Cotton, a powerhouse in real estate recruitment and tech innovation. From her early days in roles ranging from Tupperware sales to law enforcement, Katie shares her unique path into real estate and how it led to founding Recruit RE — a purpose-built platform reshaping how agencies hire and grow their teams.

Katie opens up about her leadership journey, her passion for people, and the creation of tools that empower both agents and businesses. With a refreshing take on VAs, tech development, and what makes a great real estate hire, this episode is packed with insight and personality — including hilarious icebreakers, heartfelt reflections, and one very unlucky cow named Dan.

Whether you're an agency owner, recruiter, or agent looking to thrive in 2025 and beyond, Katie’s vision for smarter, values-driven recruitment will leave you inspired.

🧭 Episode Breakdown

00:00 – 02:00 | Intro & Icebreakers

• Meet Katie Cotton, visionary behind Recruit RE
• Horse-mothering adventures & wild Google searches (yes, cows have best friends… maybe?)
• Fun questions: Napoleon in real estate? Duck-sized horses?

02:01 – 06:00 | Real Estate Career & Philosophy

• Katie’s unconventional path into real estate
• Why “earning your stripes” is outdated advice
• Hiring for personality over skills — and why energy trumps experience
• Real estate is teachable; passion isn't

06:01 – 10:00 | The Recruit RE Vision

• Recruit Re explained: Think “SEEK for real estate”
• Smart-matching tech, Career Passport, and CPD tracking
• Built for the industry, by someone who understands it
• A practical tool, not just another recruiter platform

10:01 – 14:00 | Tech Meets People: Building with VAs & Developers

• Katie’s VA team and global dev squad
• Communication struggles, joke misfires, and mutual trust
• Lessons from managing app builds and understanding integrations
• Why VAs don’t replace, but free up talent for higher-value work

14:01 – 18:00 | Future Plans & Closing Thoughts

• What's live now on Recruit RE (Career Passport)
• What’s launching next: employer/jobseeker functionality
• The mission: empowerment, accessibility, and human connection
• Where to find Recruit RE & why perfection isn’t the goal — progress is

🎧 Available Now – 18 minutes of fresh insights, laughs, and real estate wisdom.
Visit recruitre.com.au
to learn more and sign up for early access.

In this high-energy, fast-paced episode, we’re joined by Jack Tyson — a car-loving, wave-chasing, business-scaling machine who's shaking up the Sydney real estate recruitment scene. As the founder of Venture X Talent Group, Jack shares his sharp insights into building a future-forward recruitment agency that's scaling fast, thanks to a laser focus on people, process, and vision.

Jack dives into the real side of recruitment—beyond resumes and placements—highlighting the emotional intelligence needed to juggle candidates, clients, and expectations. He talks about the crucial role virtual assistants (VAs) play in operational scaling, the truth behind reality TV real estate stars, and why building long-term business infrastructure is more important than fast wins.

If you're in real estate, recruitment, or just love stories of founders with grit and growth vision, this one’s a must-listen.

📌 Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Icebreakers & Personality Check
Jack kicks off with quickfire questions that reveal his high-octane lifestyle, love for house music, and the adrenaline of placing top-tier talent over test-driving sports cars.

02:00 – The Real Estate Roots
He recounts his career journey from humble beginnings in Sydney’s Northern Beaches to working in the elite eastern suburbs market with multi-million dollar properties and high-profile clients.

04:30 – What’s Real About Real Estate TV?
Jack offers a behind-the-scenes take on luxury real estate shows like Luxe Listings Sydney and shares his real-world experiences with celebrity agents.

06:00 – Why He Founded Venture X
A candid look into the recruitment industry’s transactional pitfalls—and how Venture X is flipping that model with a long-term, scalable approach.

08:00 – VA Game-Changer
Jack explains how hiring virtual assistants is transforming his business operations, increasing efficiency, and laying the groundwork for rapid, smart scaling.

10:00 – The 15-Year Vision
He outlines a bold growth strategy: offices in every state, expansion into Singapore and Dubai, and building a 50–100 person team.

11:30 – Real Estate Forecast & Personal Philosophy
Jack discusses real estate trends, the importance of compounding effort, and what it takes to thrive long-term in a competitive market.

12:30 – Final Words & Gratitude
A wrap-up filled with mutual appreciation and a clear message: success comes from clarity of vision, execution, and a strong support team.

🔥 Why You Should Listen:

• Hear how a top recruiter is scaling using smart systems and sharp strategy
• Get actionable insights into real estate hiring trends
• Discover how VAs are redefining what support looks like in recruitment

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more — don’t forget to follow and share!

On this episode of Task Me Anything, we’re joined by Alexander Shean, co-owner of Ray White Ascot and a standout figure in Brisbane real estate. From his early days working the traveling show circuit with his family to leading a high-performing real estate office, Alexander’s journey is anything but typical—and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring.

Alexander opens up about the people skills he developed as a sideshow spruiker, how he transitioned into real estate, and the lessons he’s learned since stepping into business ownership. He also shares how virtual assistants (VAs) have streamlined his agency’s operations and created space for deeper client relationships, better data practices, and more productive teams.

This candid conversation blends personal storytelling with practical takeaways—perfect for agents, business owners, or anyone navigating growth in a service-driven industry.

🗂️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction & Icebreakers

• Meet Alexander Shean: real estate principal, bungee jumper, and leader
• Bungee vs. skydiving: which was scarier and why

02:01 – 06:00 | Life in the Showgrounds

• Growing up in a multi-generation traveling show family
• From dodgems to spruiking: learning crowd engagement early
• How show life taught him sales, presence, and energy

06:01 – 09:00 | Starting in Real Estate

• A career pivot from hospitality to real estate in Ascot
• Following in his father’s footsteps
• Loyalty to Ray White: culture, training, and opportunity

09:01 – 13:00 | Leadership & Business Ownership

• Stepping into co-ownership in 2022
• The mindset shift from agent to team leader
• Supporting a team of 40+ across sales and property management

13:01 – 16:00 | Unlocking Scale Through Virtual Assistants

• Why previous VA experiences didn’t work—and what changed
• Training, structure, and daily inclusion as keys to success
• VA integration stories from both the sales and PM teams

16:01 – 19:00 | The Power of Data & Process

• Creating ideal weeks for VAs and agents
• Building databases for long-term growth
• Using tools like NurtureCloud and leveraging AI to stay ahead

19:01 – 22:00 | Crystal Ball: Market Predictions & Olympic Buzz

• The outlook for Brisbane’s blue-chip suburbs
• Anticipated growth leading into the 2032 Olympics
• The evolving real estate landscape in Hamilton, Ascot & Clayfield

📌 Key Takeaways

• Communication skills are built in the trenches—sometimes on the carnival stage
• Leadership is about shifting focus from personal success to team success
• VAs can be transformative with the right onboarding and inclusion
• Data, systems, and culture are foundational to scalable growth
• Brisbane property is on a steady rise—with major movement expected pre-Olympics

🎧 Tune into this episode of Task Me Anything to discover how Alexander Shean is building a legacy in real estate, one system, one sale, and one team win at a time.

🎧 Episode Synopsis:

In this inspiring 16-minute episode, we meet Candace Jarrett, founder of niche recruitment firm Niche People, who shares her unconventional journey from town planning to building a thriving recruitment business—all while juggling life as a mother of three. With practical insights into entrepreneurship, the power of outsourcing, and the underestimated value of town planning, Candace gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how she scaled her business with the help of a virtual assistant and leaned into her network to become a leader in her field.

📌 Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – 02:30 | Quickfire Icebreakers
Candace answers lighthearted questions—from her love of coffee and red wine to her late-night work habits and dream holidays.

02:31 – 05:00 | Career Origins
Candace shares how a call from a recruiter and her strong industry network inspired her to leap into recruitment after a successful 20-year career in urban planning.

05:01 – 07:30 | Business Growth & The Role of a VA
She discusses how hiring a virtual assistant transformed her operations, freeing up time for family and business growth.

07:31 – 10:00 | Life Balance & Outsourcing Wisdom
Candace reflects on the importance of support systems, her past ventures, and lessons learned about not doing everything alone.

10:01 – 12:00 | Recruitment Realities
She dives into the complexities of quality hiring, why headhunting matters, and how her VA, Dexter, contributes to sourcing top talent.

12:01 – 14:00 | Town Planning Advocacy
Candace makes a case for town planning as a valuable and underappreciated career path—ideal for students exploring property-related industries.

14:01 – 16:00 | Final Advice & Closing Thoughts
She offers powerful advice for small business owners: outsource smartly, value your time, and focus on what drives growth.

🎯 Why Listen:
If you’re a business owner, aspiring recruiter, or curious about how to pivot careers successfully, Candace’s story will leave you motivated and equipped with actionable insights.

🎧 Episode Synopsis:

In this high-energy and humor-filled episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus chats with Ryan Murphy—a rising real estate star from Logan—and his dynamic virtual assistant duo, Wendy and Alan, joining from the Philippines. Ryan pulls back the curtain on how leveraging not one, but two highly skilled VAs has elevated his business operations, allowing him to stay laser-focused on what he does best: selling homes and connecting with clients.

Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at how VAs streamline prospecting, admin, and client communication, as well as gain insight into how Ryan's authenticity and structure have helped him become a trusted name in his market. With lively banter, fast-paced Q&A, and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for agents ready to scale smart.

🗂️ Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – 01:00
  Introduction: Meet Ryan Murphy, the mullet-wearing real estate agent from Logan, and his VAs, Wendy and Alan.
• 01:01 – 03:30
  Quickfire questions & banter: Favorite pump-up tracks, dream VA task (spoiler: it's cooking), and off-the-clock hobbies.
• 03:31 – 06:00
  The VA Impact: Ryan explains how having two VAs allows him to delegate effectively, focus on high-impact tasks, and scale his listings pipeline.
• 06:01 – 08:00
  Workflow in Action: Wendy breaks down how structure and preparation set Ryan apart, and how clear delegation makes their teamwork seamless and productive.
• 08:01 – 10:30
  Cold Calling Confidence: Wendy shares what she loves about calling, her approach to gauging interest, and how this consistency fuels results.
• 10:31 – 11:30
  Secrets to Success: Ryan opens up about being authentic, building trust in the Logan market, and why being relatable beats being polished.
• 11:31 – 12:00
  Final laughs & golf rivalry: Wrapping up with a lighthearted exchange on golf, dreams of green jackets, and a cheeky twist on who’s giving advice to whom.

💡 Perfect For:
Real estate agents, entrepreneurs, and business owners exploring how virtual assistants can drive real productivity, reduce operational strain, and support genuine growth.

In this inspiring episode of Task Me Anything, Adam Duffus welcomes real estate standout Steph Marshall from Harcourts Property Centre. Ranked in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally, Steph shares her journey from humble beginnings to building a powerhouse business supported by a dynamic virtual assistant team. Steph opens up about her personal challenges, her strategies for growth, and how smart delegation — particularly through VA support — has transformed her business and life.

This conversation is packed with honest insights about real estate, resilience, and the power of playing to your strengths.

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 — Introduction
Adam introduces Steph Marshall, highlighting her remarkable achievements and her strategic use of VAs.

01:00 — Getting to Know Steph
Quickfire questions reveal Steph’s guilty pleasures, work habits, favorite property features, and what she would outsource if she could.

03:00 — Steph’s Career Journey
Steph shares her story of starting at reception, moving through various roles, her time in London, and how she ultimately built her confidence to succeed in real estate.

05:30 — Overcoming Challenges in Sales
Steph discusses her initial reluctance toward prospecting and cold calling, and how persistence — and some creative outreach — landed her first listing.

07:00 — Recent Successes and Business Growth
Reflecting on her record months, Steph talks about how consistent relationship-building and repeat business have driven her success.

08:30 — How VAs Have Changed Her Business
Steph explains the crucial role her two VAs, Marco and Nora, play in maintaining a clean, powerful database and enabling her to focus on her strengths — without burning out.

10:30 — Looking Ahead
Steph shares her plans to grow her team and her goal of becoming a $1.2 million agent, emphasizing consistent effort, focus, and energy management.

11:30 — Closing Thoughts
Adam and Steph wrap up with mutual appreciation and excitement for what’s ahead in Steph’s career.

In this episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus sits down with Jim Hilston, Director of Hilston Wood Floors, one of Brisbane’s most respected names in custom timber flooring. Jim shares his fascinating journey from working with horses and playing polo in the UK to building a premium flooring business back home in Australia. More importantly, he opens up about the critical role virtual assistants now play in keeping his business running smoothly. Jim highlights how partnering with VA For You helped him overcome the staffing challenges typical of small trades businesses, enabling him to focus on growth and client satisfaction. This episode is packed with valuable insights for any tradie or small business owner looking to scale without burning out.

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 — Introduction
Adam Duffus introduces the episode, his guest Jim Hilston, and sets the stage for the discussion about craftsmanship and scaling businesses with virtual support.

01:30 — Getting to Know Jim
A fun Q&A session with Jim, covering his go-to comfort food, hobbies, first job working with horses, and love for polo.

05:00 — Jim’s Journey into Flooring
Jim recounts how his experiences in the UK led him into the flooring industry and the choice that shaped his career.

07:00 — Polo and Commentating
A lively conversation about Jim's polo playing and commentating career, including memorable interactions with the British Royal Family.

09:00 — Challenges in Managing a Small Trades Business
Jim discusses the unique challenges of finding and retaining reliable administrative staff in a small business setting.

10:30 — How Virtual Support Transformed His Business
Jim explains how partnering with VA For You and his virtual assistant, Dilshan, has dramatically improved scheduling, client communication, and overall operational efficiency.

13:00 — Advice for Young Tradespeople
Jim shares advice for tradies struggling to balance hands-on work with business administration and how virtual assistance can be a game-changer.

14:30 — Closing Thoughts
Adam and Jim wrap up, discussing future plans for scaling virtual support within trades and celebrating the strong working relationship between Hilston Wood Floors and VA For You.

In this value-packed episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus, Managing Director of VA For You, sits down with Emma Goodfellow, Director of Property Management at RE/MAX Results Bayside, and Eran Chamil, Country Manager for VA For You in Sri Lanka. Together, they dive into how virtual assistants (VAs) have revolutionized the way property management operates — helping scale operations, strengthen team culture, and deliver better service.

From funny tenant stories to culture shocks, the episode keeps things light while delivering real-world insights into how integrating VAs has allowed RE/MAX Results to scale past 1,000 properties and retain long-term team members. Emma and Eran share their unique perspectives on what makes this partnership so powerful and sustainable.

📌 Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – 01:00
  Intro & Guest Introductions
  Adam introduces the show and welcomes guests Emma Goodfellow and Eran Chamil, highlighting their roles in property management innovation.
• 01:01 – 02:30
  Icebreaker Fun
  Emma and Eran answer quickfire questions—from favorite apps to funny maintenance requests and dream job swaps.
• 02:31 – 04:15
  Cross-Cultural Work Styles
  Eran shares how working with Australian teams revealed surprising differences in standards and workflows, especially around compliance and processes.
• 04:16 – 06:30
  VA Integration & Business Growth
  Emma discusses how VAs have freed up property managers to manage more properties and build better client relationships, while also supporting BDMs and admin functions.
• 06:31 – 08:00
  Team Culture & Retention
  Emma credits strong team culture and VA integration with RE/MAX’s impressive staff retention. Eran reflects on how being treated as part of the team makes a big difference.
• 08:01 – 09:30
  Measuring ROI & Growing Portfolios
  Key metrics include the cost-benefit of VAs and the increased capacity per property manager. VAs help push portfolios to 250–300 properties with confidence.
• 09:31 – 10:00
  Advice for Hesitant Business Owners
  Emma encourages others to revisit their perception of VAs—emphasizing how they can be trained for nearly any task and are integral to long-term success.

Why Listen?
If you're in property management or business operations and are curious about how VAs can supercharge your team, this episode offers first-hand insight into real-world impact, culture-building, and the future of remote support in real estate.

In this powerhouse episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus is joined by the unstoppable Hayley Van de Ven, founder of the Limitless Group under RE/MAX Results. With over 4,000 property sales and two decades of experience, Hayley shares how she scaled her real estate empire — while saving $1 million in wages and doubling her revenue — by strategically implementing virtual assistants (VAs).

Hayley gets candid about the failures of her first VA attempt, what made her try again, and how the second time around became a total game changer. This episode is a must-listen for business owners and real estate professionals looking to scale sustainably with systems, people, and purpose.

🧩 Episode Breakdown

0:00 – 2:00 | Intro & Icebreakers
Adam introduces Hayley, setting the tone with fun questions about theme songs, celebrity homes, and her real estate heroes.

2:00 – 5:00 | Hard Lessons & Real Talk
Hayley reflects on the worst advice she received early in her career — and why there’s no such thing as a magic pill in real estate success.

5:00 – 7:30 | Scaling from 4 to 120 Team Members
Hayley reveals the keys behind her rapid team growth, her mindset around mistakes, and how taking big leaps has fueled her journey.

7:30 – 10:00 | VAs: From Failure to Formula
A brutally honest look at her failed first attempt with VAs — and how the right strategy, training, and partnership turned things around.

10:00 – 12:30 | Saving $1 Million with VAs
Hayley breaks down how VAs have replaced overhead roles, boosted efficiency, and allowed her team to deliver better service without burnout.

12:30 – 14:30 | Culture, Retention & Empowerment
Why giving team members VA support has improved work-life balance, driven productivity, and become a cornerstone of Limitless Group's strong culture.

14:30 – 16:00 | What’s Next for Limitless Group
Big plans ahead: a new head of sales, a deeper focus on data, and even more VA roles to help drive lead gen and team growth across Queensland.

🎯 Key Takeaway:
Virtual assistants aren't just a cost-saving tool — they're a growth strategy. Hayley shows exactly how to integrate them the right way to scale smarter, faster, and stronger.

Don’t miss this episode if you’re serious about building a business that’s both profitable and people-first.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to go Limitless with VAs!

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Task Me Anything, host Adam Duffus welcomes Sam Devlin, Managing Director and Principal of Harcourts Property Centre. With over 18 years of experience in real estate, Sam shares his journey, insights on business growth, and how Virtual Assistants (VAs) have revolutionized his operations. From maintaining clean data to streamlining contracts and accounts, Sam discusses the impact of VAs on efficiency, employee happiness, and business scalability. Plus, hear his take on the best (and worst) real estate advice, the value of lead generation, and whether he'd rather face a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses!

Episode Breakdown

• [00:00] Introduction
  • Adam introduces the episode and guest, Sam Devlin.
  • Background on Sam’s role at Harcourts Property Centre and his success in real estate.
• [02:15] Icebreaker Questions
  • Sam's go-to emoji and who he'd want with him on a deserted island.
  • Fun debate over the worst real estate advice he’s ever received.
• [05:00] The Role of Data in Real Estate
  • Why clean data is crucial for business growth.
  • How Sam’s team uses VAs to maintain data integrity.
• [08:20] VAs in Business Operations
  • The impact of VAs in finance and accounts.
  • How VAs support contract processing and reduce workload stress.
• [12:00] Lead Generation & Scaling with VAs
  • How VAs contributed 1,600+ leads to Sam’s business.
  • Why real estate agents should leverage VAs for better efficiency.
• [15:30] Misconceptions About VAs
  • VAs are not just about cost-cutting but improving productivity and employee satisfaction.
  • How they allow employees to take time off without business disruption.
• [17:30] Advice for Real Estate Agents Considering a VA
  • Key considerations for agents writing $250K+ in sales.
  • Why starting with a VA can optimize existing business processes.
• [18:45] A Fun Closing Question
  • Sam flips the script and asks Adam a quirky hypothetical question!

Tune in to discover how VAs can transform your business, boost productivity, and create a more sustainable real estate operation!