The No Frills VA Podcast

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith talks about bad decisions. We all make them. It’s what we do after that counts.    “Bad decisions make good stories.” — Ellis Vidler   In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:   1:04 - What to do after you make a bad decision; 1:48 - Melissa’s story of a bad thing that happened in life; 3:00 - Melissa’s story of a bad decision she made in busine...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith talks about why networking feels icky and how to make it feel natural through relationship networking. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:29 - What makes VAs feel icky about networking; 1:56 - Why the amount of networking VAs participate in raises red flags; 2:23 - The solution the AVA offers to make networking easy; 3:12 - The real reas...

Robbie Samuels is an author, speaker, and business growth strategy coach recognized as a networking expert by Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Lifehacker, and Inc. He is also a virtual event design consultant and executive Zoom producer recognized as an industry expert in the field of digital event design by JDC Events. In this week’s episode, Robbie shares: 1:32 - How the pandemic catapulted his...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares why it’s important to network even when you’re a high-achiever. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 0:55 - Why the AVA is focusing on networking during the month of August; 1:20 - The disconnect between the value of networking and the action of networking; 2:10 - Problems that arise by doing it all on your own; 2:46 - Are you setting...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares what she did and what you can do when it feels like everyone but you is the expert. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:23 - The first thing to tell yourself; 2:00 - Finding power in being a business owner; 2:36 - Your opportunity as the expert; 3:28 - What she knew about achieving success for herself; 5:05 - What Melissa said to t...

Danielle Cuomo is an award-winning entrepreneur and author. A pioneer in the VA industry, Danielle founded Virtual Assist USA 14 years ago. On this episode of the No Frills VA Podcast, Danielle shares the steps she took to go from being laid off to starting her own multi-million dollar virtual assistant business. In this week’s episode, Danielle shares: 1:55 - Her background - which does not inclu...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares why she keeps a scorecard, what she does and doesn’t track, and what you should have on your scorecard. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:00 - What a scorecard for your business is; 2:00 - Why she doesn’t track what she’s not doing right; 3:23 - The story scorecards can tell you; 4:48 - Examples of what Melissa has tracked over t...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares how she unexpectedly found out how to find what clients truly value and how you can too! In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 0:47 - What Melissa struggled with when she first started her business; 1:58 - A time when Melissa was floored by what someone valued; 3:45 - The value of being a seat filler; 5:00 - What you can do to find val...

Sherry Parks, CPA, is a Life Coach who helps clients escape feeling trapped by their finances.  She is passionate about helping them change their mindset, emotions, and actions regarding money. In this week’s episode, Sherry shares: 1:17 - How Melissa found Sherry; 2:14 - Sherry’s background; 5:07 - Why Sherry became a life coach; 9:09 - How Sherry defines abundance; 14:40 - Using affirmations to...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares all about the ins, outs, and benefits of failure, flipping, and flopping.  In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:16 - Why we will forever have failures and flops; 1:57 - How Melissa knows she is getting to do something challenging; 2:35 - What you need to remember about failures and flops; 3:34 - The difference between failures and f...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith challenges you to see educating clients as an opportunity. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:14 - What client education is; 1:45 - Why it’s important to understand client education; 2:20 - How to spot a client opportunity; 2:50 - How great clients disguise themselves as bad clients; 6:00 - What you can do to poke holes in client questio...

Dot Rock is the Founder and CEO of Dot Rock Consulting, a strategic consulting firm that focuses on helping burnt-out business owners stop doing everything and start living in their zone of genius. In this week’s episode, Dot shares: 1:45 - Dot’s burnout story; 3:09 - Where scaling your business begins; 4:00 - Dot’s unique background; 9:00 - Dot’s definition of scaling to create alignment; 13:01 -...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith invites you to redefine success. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:25 - Melissa’s latest book recommendation; 2:47 - What the parable of the NY businessman and the Mexican fisherman teaches us; 5:12 - How Melissa knew to keep going in her VA business; 7:00 - How to redefine success and give yourself permission to say you’re successful;...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith reminds you about the power of your words and shares two dreams she spoke into existence. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:00 - Where our words come from; 2:00 - The first time Melissa spoke a dream into existence; 4:19 - Melissa’s first VA gig; 6:38 - The second time Melissa spoke a dream into existence; 9:40 - Why mindset is everythi...

Katie Wright is an AVA member and a new VA business owner. Katie has only been in for 3 months and already has 3 clients! In this podcast, Katie shares wisdom beyond her VA years proving that you may be new to being a business owner but that doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Katie shares her success tips which are great tips no matter how long you’ve been in business!   In this week’s e...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares the questions you want to be asking yourself to understand if you’re going deep enough or if it’s time to pivot and walk away from your goals. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 0:45 - The question to be asking yourself; 1:15 - A paradox of going deep in your business; 1:35 - What a pivot truly is; 3:00 - The common practice that ha...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares her favorite announcement to make and it only happens twice a year! In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:13 - Why you want to join the AVA webinar; 1:41 - What makes the AVA different; 2:35 - Why Melissa created the AVA separate from her personal brand: 3:24 - Why the AVA is a place for outsiders; 4:55 - What you can expect from the...

Gabe Nelson is the bestselling author of The Solopreneur’s Money Manifesto: How to Master Your Finances and Create the Life You Want, and hosts the popular podcast: Solopreneur Money. In this week’s episode, Gabe shares: 1:28 - Gabe’s background that brought him to where he is today; 2:47 - Why Gabe serves solopreneurs; 6:52 - How Gabe believes we set our lives up for success; 11:19 - The power of...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares her latest revelation in being a “Pro Idiot” and where that term came from. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 0:58 - What happened when she didn’t do the thing she needed to do; 1:28 - What the term “Pro Idiot” means; 2:28 - What Melissa did to make her a Pro Idiot; 7:14 - When procrastination is bad; 8:50 - Being productive with t...

Latrice Prater is the CEO of The Digital Solutions Team, an agency providing tech solutions to female business owners. In this episode, Latrice shares her journey of solo VA to creating a team of 14 in just two years!   In this week’s episode, Latrice shares: 2:20 - Latrice’s background prior to becoming a VA; 2:41 - Why Latrice desired to become her own boss; 3:30 - The mindset work Latrice did t...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO Melissa Smith gets to the nitty gritty of toxic positivity. Melissa shares how it can show up in her life, online, and why being positively toxic doesn’t serve you or your business. In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:30 - Why the Gram is not her jam; 2:48 - The flip side of positivity; 5:55 - What we’re all about in the AVA;  6:54 - Being authentic eno...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO shares her word for 2022 along with her why and wants to hear yours too! Is the word you started 2022 with the same word or have you chosen a new one? In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 0:53 - Did your word change due to an epiphany or revelation? 1:38 - How Melissa came up with her word around her birthday last year;  5:00 - Getting from where you are t...

In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO shares how she resets herself and you can too! It's the beginning of the year. Resolutions and goals are on the top of everyone’s minds.  In this week’s episode, Melissa shares: 1:18 - Her consistency board and why she prefers to use the word endurance over accountability; 2:31 - The problem with advice on not breaking your streak;  3:29 - How to keep a...