Podcast by Catherine Gladwyn - UK Virtual Assistant Trainer
06 September 2025
It's okay to want to make more money, but we can sometimes feel like asking 'how' is a bit greedy.
It's not.
The more income you have the more you can do to give you even more freedom and luxury.
Anyway, as always, I digress.
Listen to today's podcast to hear a few ways you could make more money in your Virtual Assistant business - ethically!
Links mentioned: www.catherinegladwyn.co.uk/packages
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24:34
23 August 2025
I couldn't even pop out to get a magazine when I was a new Mum!
Whereas Caroline started her business with an 18 month old baby, and pregnant with her second.
I'm joined in this episode by Caroline Marshall, the founder of Upsource, a multi award-winning Virtual Assistant agency and a growing community of fractional, high-calibre Business, Executive, and Virtual Assistants.
Find out how she went from start up to fully booked in 3 months. To now having a team of 36 (not a typo) associates.
How did / does she do it?
Caroline generously shares her secrets in this episode.
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Caroline began her career in Personal Assistance, Business Support, and Events. She entered the Assistant industry in 2010 and moved to Virtual Assistance in 2016, first as an employed VA, before launching her own agency in 2020. Her hands-on experience and deep understanding of the assistant role have shaped Upsource into what it is today.
Her personal journey through motherhood, redundancy, the pandemic, and entrepreneurship inspired her to launch the ‘Bump to Business Owner’ podcast, where Caroline shares the real stories of founders who are also mothers, exploring how they navigate business and life.
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49:26
09 August 2025
We need to share who YOU are online as well as what you do to help you stand out, so we need to find your tone of voice and allow potential clients to really get to know the face behind the business.
I hope some small tips in this episode help you do that, or confirm you're already doing all the things.
I make an exciting recommendation in the podcast about a course by my friend, Katya Varbanova, a course which I am having hours of fun with and one that's changed my creativity and content beyond anything I could've done.
I promised to share the link, which is here: https://shop.viralmarketingstars.com/a/2148130170/pvmy92sk
The link is an affiliate link which means I may benefit financially if you make a purchase. I never recommend any products or services that I don't use in my own business on a regular basis.
00:00
33:35
26 July 2025
No one ever really fails as a Virtual Assistant if they avoid these 12 things.
The word fail is very harsh, isn't it? No one is a failure for trying. We weren't born knowing how to do all the things required to run a business.
I’m hoping this episode either reassures you that you’re already on the right track and just need more time - or shows you that the tweaks you do need to make aren’t biggies.
I reference my popular guide: 'How to get clients using LinkedIn' which can be found here: https://catherinegladwyn.co.uk/how-to-find-potential-clients-on-linkedin/
00:00
36:44
12 July 2025
How do you spot a red flag? Do we just trust what our gut is telling us? Maybe, depends how well your gut can sense things. If you're anything like me, my gut can go into a panic just trying to work out what time I need to leave for an appointment that is at 4pm, and takes 1 hour to drive to.
I've covered about 11 client red flags in this episode, but have been mindful that some may just be aligned to boundaries.
Let me know if I've missed any glaringly obvious ones.
I mention my Enquiry to Onboarding training in this episode, which you can find here: https://catherinegladwyn.co.uk/how-to-onboard-clients-as-a-virtual-assistant/
00:00
32:39
28 June 2025
'How quickly will I get clients as a Virtual Assistant?'
This is a question I Googled time and time again before I started my VA business. Sadly, there is one firm answer because it depends on many factors. I know many new / aspiring VAs get frustrated when they feel like they've been doing all the right things (for 2 whole days), yet they haven't got any clients! Lois was the same. But things soon turned around! By gosh did they turn around.
Listen to how Lois went from 'I'LL NEVER GET CLIENTS' to running an agency in less than 3 years! Or in other words, listen to hear how Lois went from £7 an hour to £96k a year!
Yeah, you read that right!
Lois Bates-Stubbs is the owner of LBS Virtual Services, a thriving VA agency with a powerhouse team of seven. She started the business from a desk in the corner of her council flat bedroom and in less than three years, it’s grown into a multi-faceted agency supporting brilliant women to create businesses that feel clear, supported, and sustainable. These days, Lois blends high-level VA support with coaching and consultancy, helping established female business owners step into their CEO role with more ease and confidence. She’s also a home educator, Disney lover, and a firm believer that you can build the life you want, wherever you start from.
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51:07