Virtually Free with Ashlee

If you’ve been trying to "figure it all out" by yourself - piecing together freebies, podcasts, and second-hand advice,  this episode is your reminder that guessing your way forward isn't a real strategy. In this solo episode, I break down why staying stuck in DIY mode leads to overwhelm and slow growth and what to focus on instead to create real, sustainable momentum in your VA business.

✔️ Why “figuring it out” keeps VAs stuck in overwhelm

✔️ The signs you’re running your business without a real strategy

✔️ Why free content is great but not enough for real growth

✔️ Five areas to focus on if you want to shift from survival mode to CEO energy

• Enrol in the VA Mastery Program
• Explore coaching & offers
• Follow Ashlee on Instagram

● 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!

In this milestone episode, I reflect on 8 years of building a freedom-based business and the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way. From mindset shifts to sustainable growth strategies, this episode is packed with real talk, hard-earned advice, and encouragement for anyone building a business on their terms.

✔️ Why fear is part of the process and how to move through it anyway

✔️ How staying in your own lane protects your business (and your peace)

✔️ Why discipline matters more than bursts of motivation

✔️ The hard truths about fast growth vs. sustainable success

✔️ How tracking your numbers changes the way you lead

✔️ The reminder to stop obsessing over the end goal and enjoy the journey

• Enrol in the VA Mastery Program
• Explore coaching & offers
• Follow Ashlee on Instagram

● 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!

In this episode of Virtually Free, I’m joined by the amazing Stacey Morthorpe - founder of Virtual Beauty Solutions, social media manager for beauty professionals, and a long-term client inside my coaching programs. 

Stacey started out as a VA after 16 years in the beauty industry and has since grown a business that supports her lifestyle and personal commitments

We dive into the real shifts she made to go from an overwhelmed VA to visible and in-demand (with boundaries, structure and offers that reflect her zone of genius)

This is a must-listen if you're: 

• Just getting started and wondering where to begin
• Feeling stuck in the cycle of saying yes to everything
• Ready to shift out of freelancer energy and into CEO leadership

• What Stacey’s business looked like before she joined coaching
• Her shift into packaged offers and what made it finally click
• How she pushed through visibility fears and started showing up online
• The mindset shifts that helped her stop overthinking and start leading
• Her biggest wins and how her business feels and looks now
• Advice she’d give to someone just a few steps behind her

Want to start your own VA business but not sure where to begin?

Download the VA Starter Kit — my free eGuide breaking down the exact steps to set up your VA business from scratch.

You can download it here https://www.ashleethomas.site/f/va-starter-kit-copy

Take a screenshot, share it to your Instagram Stories and tag us:

@ashleethomas__ + @virtualbeautysolutions

We’d love to hear what resonated most!

● 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! This is Episode 6 and we’re getting real about decision fatigue, second-guessing and stepping into your CEO era.

If you’re constantly tweaking Canva templates, avoiding client convos, or saying yes just to “keep the peace,” it’s time to shift.

Because being a business owner isn’t about hitting six figures, it’s about how you lead.

This episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start making confident, aligned decisions that support your long-term vision.

🔍 In this episode we dive into:

• How to know if you’re stuck in a freelancer mindset
• The mindset shift that unlocks long-term growth
• What it actually looks like to make decisions like a CEO
• How to use data, feedback, and values to guide your next move
• Small but powerful habits to build decision-making confidence

🔗 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!

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