The Online Business Manager Show with Sarah Noked

You’ve just had an incredible discovery call with a potential client. You see their vision, you know exactly how you can help them, and your proposal is practically writing itself until you reach that one section that makes your stomach drop: The Investment. Suddenly, your excitement turns into second-guessing. What’s my hourly rate again? How many hours will this take? What if they think it’s too...

You started your business for freedom. To work on your own terms, serve clients you love, and build something that actually lights you up. But somewhere along the way, that freedom started to feel a lot like… busyness. Every client question still lands on your plate. Every decision still needs your approval. And if you stop working, even for a few days, everything stalls. Here’s the truth: if your...

You’ve put in the hours. You’ve delivered the work. But every interaction with that client leaves you drained. Here’s the truth: keeping every client is self-sabotage. Real leadership is knowing when it’s time to say “no.” In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m breaking down the five undeniable signs it’s time to walk away from a client, and giving you the exact step-by-step process to offboard wit...

You’re answering emails. You’re checking tasks off the list. You’re keeping the wheels turning. But here’s the truth: if you’re still stuck in “helper mode,” you’re holding yourself back. In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m breaking down how to stop playing the VA game and step fully into your OBM leadership. Because leadership isn’t about having a big team or a fancy title, it’s about how you s...

You’ve landed a discovery call with your dream client. You’re prepared, excited, and ready to show them the value you bring. But then… the call takes a turn. Instead of a collaborative conversation, you’re hit with rapid-fire questions:  " How many launches have you managed? What tools do you know? What are your rates?” Suddenly, it feels less like a partnership in the making, and more like a...

Your systems are solid. Your team is prepped. The project plan is ready to roll. But then your client goes quiet. Approvals stall, decisions get delayed, and suddenly they become the bottleneck. In this episode of The OBM Show, I’m diving into what to do when clients stall and how you, as the OBM, can lead with clarity, and confidence. Because here’s the truth: bottlenecks are just opportunities f...

Your business is growing, but so is the chaos behind the scenes. You’re juggling projects, contractors, and clients, while trying to keep everything running smoothly… and it feels like if you step away, the whole thing might fall apart. Sound familiar? These are the warning signs you’re about to max out. And they’re also the signs it’s time to bring in an Online Business Manager (OBM) to help you...

You’ve been tweaking your offers, polishing your ClickUp boards, and obsessing over SOPs, convinced that this is what high-level clients want. But what if I told you… that might be the very thing holding you back? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m pulling back the curtain on what premium clients actually care about when hiring an Online Business Manager. Spoiler: it’s not perfection it’s partn...

Do you ever feel pressure to be the “unicorn” OBM, equally brilliant at tech integration, launch strategy, client care, financial forecasting, and everything in between? That impossible standard is the fastest road to burnout and imposter syndrome. In this episode of The OBM Show , Sarah Noked introduces a brand-new framework designed to help you stop chasing perfection and start leaning into your...

You’re booked out, delivering results, and working harder than ever… so why does your income keep stalling at $5K months? In this episode of “ The OBM Show” , I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most common plateaus OBMs face: the dreaded $5K ceiling. If you’ve hit that wall where every month feels maxed out, but your bank account doesn’t reflect your effort, you’re not alone and you’re not...

Your client meetings should showcase your leadership—not just your note-taking skills. Join Sarah Noked in this episode of The OBM Show as she reveals a simple, repeatable framework to turn every meeting into a strategic, value-packed session that builds trust, strengthens your authority as an operational professional and leader, and supports premium pricing. Here’s what we cover: The pre-meeting...

What does it really look like to go from overworked and underfulfilled to confidently running a fully booked OBM business on your own terms? In this episode of The OBM Show, I’m joined by Andrea Ventim, an Accredited OBM and OBM School alumni who shares her inspiring (and refreshingly honest) journey from burnout to building a thriving business supporting top coaches as their business partner. Bef...

Do you find yourself answering client emails at 10 PM or easily saying "yes" to out-of-scope requests just to be helpful, only to feel drained and resentful later on? "Boundary Burnout" is all too common among online service professionals and it only holds your businesses back (and makes you feel a bit crazy!).  In this episode of The OBM Show, Sarah Noked dismantles the myth t...

What does it really look like to build a successful OBM business around your values, lifestyle, and family? In this behind-the-scenes episode of The OBM Show, I’m joined by Desiree Silveira—OBM School grad, Accredited OBM, and a vital strategic partner inside our internal team. From juggling launches to managing client strategy and raising her daughter, Dez has intentionally designed a business th...

You were hired to lead—but suddenly, you’re stuck waiting for approvals, tiptoeing around recommendations, and wondering why the “strategic partner” role feels more like support staff. If that sounds familiar, this episode is your reset button. On this week’s episode of The OBM Show , we’re unpacking the unspoken issue that holds so many OBMs back: unhealthy power dynamics. I’m breaking down how e...

What does it look like to go from copywriting VA to confident OBM—tripling your revenue and landing your dream clients along the way? In this episode of The OBM Show , I sit down with Ada Wogu, Accredited OBM and founder of Advance with Ada. With no corporate background and zero “traditional” business experience, Ada’s journey is proof that what you do need to succeed as an OBM is drive, integrity...

What if having a full client roster isn’t the dream?  In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m unpacking the dark side of being booked up as an Online Support Professional - and what it really takes to grow your virtual business without recreating the burnout you left behind in your 9–5. Whether you’re drowning in Slack pings and client requests, or you’re starting to feel the weight of overcommitmen...

What happens when you hit burnout after 30+ years in corporate leadership—and decide it’s time to build something of your own? In this episode of The OBM Show ( also available as a video ), I’m joined by Manu Loths, an Accredited OBM and founder of Breitinger Consulting. After decades of working in senior roles across Germany and New Zealand—including CFO, GM, and Head of Operations—Manu knew she...

What if being “organized” was actually the least valuable part of your skill set? In this episode of The OBM Show , we’re digging into a major mindset shift that every Online Business Manager needs to make if they want to grow, lead, and land premium clients. Because here’s the truth: clients often say they’re looking for someone who’s organized—but what they need is a strategic partner. I’ve had...

What does it really look like to be the right-hand woman inside a growing, impact-driven online business? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m joined by Tovi Vider—Accredited OBM, single mom, and the behind-the-scenes rock of OBM School. Tovi has been our in-house OBM for over four years, and in that time, she’s been at the center of some of the most transformational pivots in our business—from l...

What does it really take to run a virtual business through the summer—without overcommitting, underdelivering, or burning out completely? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m walking you through how I’m preparing my business for summer in a way that honors both my goals and my life. Because summer isn’t business as usual. Timelines shift. Clients go quiet. Life ramps up. And unless you plan for i...

What does it really look like to build an OBM business in the middle of a life-changing moment—with no safety net and everything on the line? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m joined by Muneeba Brooks, an Accredited OBM and founder of NeuroNest Consulting , who shares her story of rebuilding from the ground up after becoming a single parent overnight. With 20+ years of operations experience an...

What does it really take to build a purpose-driven OBM business—from a pandemic pivot, with no roadmap, and a whole lot of courage? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m joined by Sam Roblett, an Accredited OBM and digital learning designer based in the UK. After 15 years in education and school leadership, Sam made a bold shift during the pandemic—rebuilding her career, business, and life from sc...

What does it really take to leave your 9–5 and build a freedom-based freelance business—without panicking, stalling, or burning bridges? In this episode of The OBM Show , I’m sharing how I transitioned out of my corporate role and into full-time OBM business ownership— while still working . I didn’t quit on a whim. I built my business behind the scenes, one project, one client, and one system at a...

What does it really take to go from corporate employment to OBM business ownership—and actually own your time, income, and expertise? In this episode of The OBM Show ( also available as a video ), I’m joined by Gillian Edwards , an Accredited OBM and marketing strategist who took a leap during the pandemic and never looked back. After being laid off, Gillian joined OBM School (shoutout to OBM Week...