Welcome back to Virtually Free! You’re listening to Episode 5.

Last week we talked about business structure - and one key piece we touched on was communication and boundaries. Today, we’re diving deeper.

If you’ve ever felt like a full-time help desk, replying to clients at all hours, feeling guilty for logging off, or always available but constantly drained… this episode is for you.

Because boundaries don’t just protect your peace — they help you grow.

Clients don’t know your expectations unless you clearly set them. And if you’re not leading with clarity, they’ll fill in the blanks (and not usually in your favour).

🔍 In this episode we dive into:

• Signs your boundaries aren’t serving you
• Communication platforms + hours that work for you
• Setting realistic turnaround times and scope boundaries
• How to protect your actual life — without apology
• Why boundaries are a CEO move (not a red flag)

🔗 Links:

Apply for Expansion Mastermind: https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/vaemastermind

Explore coaching & offers: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you’ve been building your VA business on vibes, this episode is your nudge to build something stronger.

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the 5 essential areas of business structure every virtual assistant needs -  whether you’re just starting out or fully booked and flustered.

Because sustainable growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when your business has structure, boundaries, and space to breathe.

• Why structure is the secret to scaling (and what happens when you skip it)
• The 5 business systems I help every VA get clear on
• Simple, actionable ideas to streamline your week, your offers, and your sanity

Links:

Find out more and apply for Expansion Mastermind - https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/vaemastermind

Learn more about my coaching + offers - www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome back to Virtually Free with Ashlee! In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest mindset and strategy blocks for virtual assistants and service providers: pricing.

If you’ve ever felt stuck charging low rates because you're afraid clients will leave, you're not alone and this episode is going to shift that.

I’m breaking down why so many VAs stay underpaid and overworked, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to raise your rates with confidence without scaring off dream clients.

• The 3 most common reasons VAs stay stuck undercharging
• How to confidently shift your pricing mindset and step into your worth
• Real examples of how my clients have raised their rates and attracted better clients
• What to say to existing clients when you raise your rates
• How to package your services to highlight value not hours
• What to do when clients push back (and why it’s actually a good thing)

Links:

Find out more and apply for Expansion Mastermind - https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/vaemastermind

Learn more about my coaching + offers - www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Struggling to find clients? This episode breaks down practical strategies for VAs and service providers to attract aligned clients at any stage of business.

One of the biggest challenges I see VAs and online service providers face—whether you're just starting out or scaling—is finding consistent, aligned clients. And let's be real—without clients, you don’t have a business.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing practical, proven strategies my clients are using right now to book out their services—many of which have nothing to do with Instagram.

Whether you're brand new and feeling unsure where to begin, or you've hit a plateau and want to attract better clients, this episode is full of real-world strategies to help you get visible, build relationships, and land dream projects.

In this episode I dive into:

• How to use Facebook groups the right way to build authority and land clients
• Why your personal network could be your most overlooked (and profitable) lead source
• Simple online and offline networking moves that actually work
• The power of referrals and how to create a client experience that fuels them
• Bonus tips to help you stand out, get noticed, and land more premium clients

 Find out more and apply for Expansion Mastermind - https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/vaemastermind

● Learn more about my coaching + offers - www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

How I built a profitable, flexible business as a VA and coach without hustle or long hours and how you can too.

Welcome to the very first episode of Virtually Free with Ashlee! 

In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I went from resume writer to virtual assistant to business coach - building a profitable, flexible business that works for me, not the other way around.

If you're ready to ditch hustle culture, get clear on your business model, and create more freedom in your day-to-day, this one is for you.

Whether you’re just starting out or feeling stuck at a plateau, this episode will help you see what's possible when you design your business intentionally, based on your goals, values, and season of life.

• How I started my business in 2017 with an 8-week-old baby and no big plans to grow
• Why I never followed the hustle path (and what I focused on instead)
• How I scaled from 1:1 services into premium, value-based offers
• The key mindset and strategy shifts that created freedom in my business
• 3 practical shifts you can start making today to create a business that supports your lifestyle

Links:

Find out more and apply for Expansion Mastermind - https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/vaemastermind

Learn more about my coaching + offers - www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome to Virtually Free with Ashlee. Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia