Seed to Success

It's July, and if you're anything like most business owners, you're having that strange moment where January feels like it was both yesterday and five years ago. You set goals at the start of the year, got excited about some, felt a little nervous about others, and then client work took over. That's exactly why the mid year check in matters. Not because you're supposed to be perfectly on track, bu...

There's a version of business advice that tells you to just follow the strategy. Map the plan, hit the milestones, stay consistent. And there's another version that says trust your energy, move with the seasons, follow what feels right. But what if you didn't have to choose between the two? In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Kathleen Amy, OBM, soulful VA, and host of the Soulful Str...

If you've ever felt like you're on a content hamster wheel, posting consistently, trying to feed the algorithm, and still wondering why the leads aren't flowing, you're not alone. So many VAs and OBMs are pouring time and energy into social media and quietly burning out in the process. The truth is, marketing your service-based business is so much more than showing up on Instagram. And when the ec...

If you've ever caught yourself asking a client for a day off, chances are you already know something feels a little off about that. You're not an employee anymore, but sometimes the language hasn't quite caught up. Most of us come into business after years in traditional employment, and we bring that language with us without even realising it. It's not a problem. It's just part of the transition....

Are you waking up at 3am with your brain already racing? Dragging yourself through the afternoon and quietly wondering how you're going to make it to the end of the day? If any of that sounds familiar, you're in good company. And there are real, biological reasons it's happening. In this episode, host Adrienne Donnelly sits down with Dr. Shauna Watts, a GP with a special interest in women's health...

There's a lot of noise online right now about AI replacing virtual assistants. And if you've spent even a few minutes scrolling, chances are you've seen someone declare that VAs will eventually be made redundant altogether. The reality looks a little different. Drawing on almost a decade of experience running her own VA and OBM business, Adrienne shares what future-proofing actually looks like in...

Running a service business is a lot to manage. Add a chronic illness and it can feel impossible before the day has even started. If you've wondered whether building something sustainable is realistic when your capacity changes daily, this episode is for you. In this episode Adrienne Donnelly chats with Laurissa Makings, founder of HealthPoint VA, supporting allied health professionals across Austr...

Pricing is one of those topics that can bring up all the feelings. Fear, comparison, imposter syndrome, and sometimes even guilt. If you've ever mumbled your rate, followed your price with a "but," or quietly wondered whether you're charging too much, this episode is for you.   Whether you're just starting out or long overdue for a pricing review, the emotions around money in our businesses a...

Have you ever felt like your story was too heavy, too personal, or too complicated to say out loud? Like the things you've survived don't belong in a professional space or a public conversation? So many women are carrying experiences they've never spoken about, not because they don't matter, but because no one ever created a space that felt safe enough to share them. In this episode, Adrienne Donn...

Signing a new client feels exciting. The discovery call goes well, the proposal is accepted, and you’re officially “in”. But what happens after that? In our industry, we talk a lot about attracting and onboarding clients. And yes, those stages matter. But if you want a sustainable, profitable VA or OBM business, the real work and the real opportunity sits in everything that follows. In this episod...

Some seasons of business feel exciting and full of possibility. Others feel like you’re carrying a lot of “what now?” questions around with you, especially if you’re coming out of a traditional career and wondering what’s next. You might be craving more flexibility, more creativity, and work that actually fits your life, but the idea of starting or growing a VA or OBM business feels big, messy, an...

This time of year can feel a bit strange. Everyone seems to be charging ahead with big goals and bold plans, while you might still be feeling tired, reflective, or unsure what you actually want next. If you’re a VA, OBM, or online service provider who wants your business to grow but not at the cost of your health, family, or flexibility, this episode is a gentle pause. A chance to slow things down...

Some days business feels really good… and other days it feels like you’re carrying your whole world on your shoulders. Client work, kids, school notes, invoices, laundry piles, and somewhere in there you’re meant to be “the CEO” too. You might be thinking about hiring or bringing in more support, but the idea of managing people, setting expectations, and “being a leader” can feel pretty heavy. If...

You know those moments in business where you’re trying to do “the right thing,” but every tool, platform, and strategy just feels… heavier than it should? Or when showing up online suddenly feels like the hardest part of your week? So many VAs and OBMs feel that, but we rarely say it out loud. And that’s why this conversation with Sarah feels like a deep exhale, honest, practical, and full of thos...

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...

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 huma...

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...

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...

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...

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 wh...

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 Ell...

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...

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, co...

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...

If you’ve ever felt the pull to be more visible in your business but found yourself second-guessing every move, this episode is your gentle permission slip to take up space. In this empowering conversation, host Adrienne Donnelly chats with Bec Sands, a Visibility Mentor, coach and ex-corporate leader who helps women move from resistance to radiance so they can confidently share their work with th...