Virtual Ventures

Income Ceilings For Solo VAs: What To Do When You Reach Yours

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:02:00 GMT

In this episode of Virtual Ventures, we're talking about income ceilings as a solo Virtual Assistant, what they are, how to recognise when you've hit one, and what your options actually look like when you get there.

We share our own experiences of reaching that point in business, from trying to work more hours and taking on more clients to realising that doing more isn't always the answer.

We explore some of the most common ways VAs can break through an income ceiling, including reviewing rates, auditing your client base, moving away from purely time-based work, creating packages, specialising, introducing additional income streams, and looking at one-to-many offers such as digital products, training, and consultancy.

We also talk about the mindset side of hitting a ceiling, including comparison, frustration, burnout, and the feeling of being stuck, and why having a community around you can make it easier to see the opportunities that are available.

Tune in to hear practical ideas, real experiences, and questions you can ask yourself if you're looking to increase your income without simply working more hours.

New episodes of Virtual Ventures are released every second Tuesday.

About SVAI

The Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland is a professional community supporting Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers to build sustainable, well-run businesses.

Learn more about us: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/about/

Join SVAI: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/join-as-a-va/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualassistantsireland/

0:00 Intro

0:18 What is an income ceiling?

2:28 The mindset side of hitting a ceiling

5:03 Cat's experience with burnout and overworking

7:34 Raising your rates and creating packages

10:15 Ellie's experience hitting an income ceiling

12:15 Diversifying your income streams

14:07 You don't have to break through every ceiling

14:46 One-to-many offers and passive income

16:01 Done For You, Done With You and DIY offers

20:22 Specialising and increasing your value

21:36 Auditing your client base

24:13 Where to start when you've hit a ceiling

26:48 You're never stuck in a box

27:38 A question to help you move forward

28:11 Outro

Behind the Laptop with Donna McCullagh: From Corporate Life to Foundry HQ

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:01:00 GMT

In this Behind the Laptop episode of Virtual Ventures, we’re joined by SVAI member Donna McCullagh, founder of Foundry HQ, to talk about her journey from corporate life to building a thriving online business and team.

Donna shares how she started out in web design while working full time, discovered the Virtual Assistant industry, and gradually evolved her business from a solo service provider model into a growing collective offering operational, administrative, and digital support to businesses.

We talk about finding those first clients, learning difficult lessons around pricing and boundaries, the importance of networking, and why social media wasn't actually the source of most of Donna's growth.

The conversation also explores bringing associates into a business, building trust with clients, managing a team, avoiding burnout, and creating a business that supports the life you want to live.

Tune in to hear Donna's honest reflections on growth, leadership, confidence, and doing things before you feel fully ready.

New episodes of Virtual Ventures are released every second Tuesday.

About SVAI

The Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland is a professional community supporting Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers to build sustainable, well-run businesses.

Learn more about us: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/about/

Join SVAI: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/join-as-a-va/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualassistantsireland/

0:00 Intro

0:12 Behind the Laptop with Donna McCullagh

1:21 Donna's journey from corporate life to Foundry HQ

6:05 Learning web design and landing a first client

11:02 Building a business around what you enjoy

14:07 First VA clients and early lessons

16:02 Networking, referrals and finding clients

21:23 Why networking matters more than social media

23:04 Growing a team and scaling the business

27:10 Leadership, delegation and trust

31:15 Building the right team

36:00 Client trust and communication

39:31 Avoiding burnout and creating boundaries

46:01 Advice that changed everything: Do it scared

49:50 Donna's recommendations for VAs and OSPs

51:10 Connect with Donna

52:04 Outro

Getting Testimonials as a Virtual Assistant: Why They Matter and How to Ask

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Virtual Ventures, we’re talking about getting testimonials as a Virtual Assistant, why they matter so much in a service-based business, and why so many people still feel awkward asking for them.

We explore the trust factor involved in Virtual Assistant and online service work, how testimonials act as social proof, and why they can often become the deciding factor when a potential client is choosing who to work with.

There’s a big mindset piece involved too, from fear of asking for feedback and imposter syndrome to the vulnerability that can come with putting yourself forward for evaluation when you care deeply about the work you do, so we get into all of that as well.

From timing and automation to screenshots, forms, prompts, and social proof strategies, this episode is packed with practical ways to make collecting and using testimonials feel easier and more natural in your business. Tune in to hear ideas for where to use testimonials across your website, social media, proposals, and portfolio, plus what to do if you’re brand new to business and feel like you don’t have any testimonials yet.

New episodes of Virtual Ventures are released every second Tuesday.

About SVAI

The Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland is a professional community supporting Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers to build sustainable, well-run businesses.

Learn more about us: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/about/

Join SVAI: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/join-as-a-va/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualassistantsireland/

0:00 Intro

0:17 Episode introduction

2:08 Why testimonials matter in service businesses

6:44 Why people feel awkward asking for testimonials

9:54 Fear of feedback and entrepreneur mindset

13:01 Our experiences asking for testimonials

15:18 When to ask clients for testimonials

18:56 Long-term clients and natural opportunities

22:05 Using forms, prompts, and screenshots

23:43 Organising and storing testimonials

24:52 Creating a testimonials page on your website

27:28 Where to use testimonials in your business

29:24 What if you’re new and don’t have testimonials yet?

31:13 Final thoughts and encouragement

32:41 Outro

Ending a Client Relationship Professionally: When It’s Time to Move On

Tue, 12 May 2026 04:11:00 GMT

In this episode of Virtual Ventures, we’re talking about ending a client relationship professionally, whether that’s because the relationship is no longer working, your business is evolving, or it simply feels like the right time to move on.

We share our own experiences of ending client relationships, from positive and natural endings to more difficult situations involving boundaries, communication, stress, and red flags.

We also talk about why so many Virtual Assistants stay in client relationships longer than they should, how professionalism and emotions can become intertwined, and how to approach these conversations in a way that protects both your reputation and your peace of mind.

From checking your contract and preparing for the conversation to handling difficult situations professionally and not reacting emotionally in the moment, this episode is a grounded look at navigating client endings in a professional and respectful way.

New episodes of Virtual Ventures are released every second Tuesday.

About SVAI

The Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland is a professional community supporting Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers to build sustainable, well-run businesses.

Learn more about us: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/about/

Join SVAI: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/join-as-a-va/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualassistantsireland/

0:00 Intro

0:12 Episode introduction

1:34 Ellie’s difficult client experience

6:46 Difficult clients vs normal client endings

10:15 Staying too long in client relationships

12:56 Start with your contract and planning the conversation

20:22 Being honest, professional, and protecting your reputation

25:43 Handling difficult situations professionally

30:13 Ending things early if needed

32:14 Final advice and outro

Finding Your First Client as a Virtual Assistant: What Works

Tue, 12 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this first episode of Virtual Ventures, we’re talking about finding your first client as a Virtual Assistant and what works versus what people think works.

We share our own experiences of getting started, from finding our first bits of work through our own circles to putting ourselves out there in Facebook groups, and how those early steps helped build confidence.

We also talk about the fear and imposter syndrome that can come with starting out, why relying on social media alone often isn’t enough, and the importance of taking a more holistic approach when it comes to finding clients.

From word of mouth and networking to trying different approaches, this episode is a real look at how those first clients come about.

We also share our perspective on offering free work, and why it’s not something we recommend when you’re starting out.

If you’re at that early stage, or even coming back to finding clients after a while, this episode will give you a clearer, more grounded way to approach it.

New episodes of Virtual Ventures are released every second Tuesday.

About SVAI

The Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland is a professional community supporting Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers to build sustainable, well-run businesses.

Learn more about us: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/about/

Join SVAI: https://virtualassistantsireland.ie/join-as-a-va/

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtualassistantsireland/

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode introduction

0:24 Why finding your first client feels so daunting

1:50 Cat’s first client experience

5:14 Building confidence after your first client

5:38 Ellie’s first client experience

9:20 Facebook groups and putting yourself out there

9:30 Imposter syndrome and mindset

14:03 What people think works vs what actually works

14:47 Different ways to find clients (beyond social media)

16:27 Word of mouth and referrals

17:58 Taking a holistic approach to marketing

18:18 Challenging yourself and trying new things

21:08 Offering free work – why we don’t recommend it

26:12 Building experience in other ways

26:31 Don’t do it alone – talk to others

28:22 Outro

Virtual Ventures Trailer

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:48:09 GMT

Welcome to Virtual Ventures, a podcast for Virtual Assistants and Online Service Providers building businesses in real life, not just in theory. Hosted by Cat Tobin and Ellie Clogher, founders of the Society of Virtual Assistants Ireland, this podcast brings honest, practical conversations about what it actually looks like to run a business behind the scenes.