I didn’t set out to run an agency.

I was pushed there by bad hires, unclear roles, broken systems, and the quiet frustration of still doing the work I hired people to take off my plate.

In this episode, I walk through the five hiring mistakes that completely changed how I build teams and lead a business. These aren’t theories. These are real lessons learned the hard way mistakes I see business owners repeat every single day.

You’ll hear:

• Why hiring before defining the role sets everyone up to fail
• The difference between assigning tasks and giving real ownership
• How staying involved turns you into the bottleneck you’re trying to escape
• Why blaming people is usually a systems problem in disguise
• The leadership mistake that quietly kills team performance

At the end of it all, one truth became clear: most business owners don’t need more people they need better structure and shared accountability.

That realization is what led us to move from simple VA placement to an agency model built around systems, clarity, and execution.

If you’ve been burned by hiring if you feel like you’re still stuck in the weeds or if building a team has felt harder than it should, this episode will change how you think about leadership.

Listen in, learn from my mistakes, and start building a team that actually works.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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Trying to be everything to everyone is one of the fastest ways to stall your growth.

In this episode, I break down one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in business: why niching down changed everything from our messaging and content to our sales process and profitability.

Early on, we talked about virtual assistants in general. Social media. Admin. “Anything you need help with.” The result? Confused prospects, unclear messaging, and endless conversations explaining what we actually did.

Once we narrowed our focus to helping home remodelers using JobTread, the business finally clicked.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why being a “jack of all trades” quietly limits your growth
• How niching down makes your marketing clearer and your content easier
• Why specialists win trust faster than generalists—especially in high-ticket work
• How narrowing your scope simplifies pricing and speeds up sales
• Why faster quotes and better speed-to-lead help you win more jobs
• How standardization creates confidence, profit clarity, and scalability
  
  

Whether you’re a home remodeler, contractor, or service-based business owner, this episode will challenge you to rethink how broad your offer really is—and why focus is the real growth strategy.

If you want to scale smarter in 2026, this conversation is where it starts.

Listen in, take notes, and start building a business known for one thing and known for it well.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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Ever wondered what a virtual assistant can actually do for your business and if it’s really worth it?

In this episode, I break down exactly how I use five different virtual assistants to run, scale, and streamline my business without being buried in daily tasks. This isn't a theory. It’s a real, behind-the-scenes look at what delegation looks like when it’s done right.

I share how I:

• Delegated video editing, SEO, thumbnails, and podcast production
• Built a dedicated social media and content strategy team
• Use email marketing, funnels, and lead nurturing to drive growth
• Transitioned a VA into a full operations manager
• Removed myself from payroll, HR, recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding
• Learned to trust systems instead of trying to control everything

More importantly, I explain how to decide what to delegate first even if you’re only ready for one virtual assistant, not five.

If you’re overwhelmed, stretched thin, or stuck doing tasks you hate, this episode will help you see how delegation actually creates freedom instead of more work.

To help you take the next step, I’m also sharing a free resource:
The Busy Entrepreneur’s Guide to Delegation
👉 https://www.refinedva.com/the-busy-entrepreneurs-guide-to-delegation

This guide walks you through identifying the tasks that drain your time, grouping them into the right buckets, and delegating in a way that gives you the highest return on investment.

Listen in and learn how to reclaim your time, focus on growth, and build a business that doesn’t rely on you for everything.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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Why Your Subs Aren’t Showing Up And How to Fix It Fast

If you’re tired of subs ghosting your job sites or slowing down your projects, this episode is going to change the way you run your business. Here’s the truth most contractors never hear: your subs aren’t unreliable… they’re uncoordinated. And without structure, follow-through, and constant reminders, even the best subs end up operating like a herd of distracted cats.

In this episode, I break down the real reason subs miss deadlines, show up late, or forget your projects altogether and it has nothing to do with laziness. You’ll learn how schedules shift daily, why subs get pulled in every direction, and how proactive communication turns inconsistency into reliability.

Most important, you’ll discover why you shouldn’t be the one chasing subs, sending reminders, or juggling schedule changes and how a remote project coordinator can take that entire burden off your shoulders.

Inside this episode:
• Why subs forget your job (and why it’s not personal)
• How daily schedule changes create chaos behind the scenes
• The communication gaps destroying your timelines
• What happens when you stop coordinating and subs start deciding
• How a remote project coordinator keeps every job moving on time
• The mindset shift that helps you take back control of your projects

If you’re ready to stop letting subs run your schedule and start running a business that moves forward every day—whether you’re on the job or not—this episode is a must-listen.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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How to Stop Clients From Blowing Up Your Phone (Without Being Rude)

If you’re exhausted from constant “Any updates?” texts, this episode is going to save you hours every week. The truth is, most contractors don’t have a client problem they have a communication system problem. When homeowners feel uninformed, they panic and you pay the price with interruptions, stress, and lost focus.

In this episode, you’ll learn the 4 simple communication shifts used by top remodeling companies to keep clients calm, informed, and out of your inbox. The best part? You can implement them immediately even as a one-man operation.

Inside the episode:
• Why clients really keep chasing you for updates
• The psychology of “uninformed clients”
• How to beat clients to the punch before they ever reach out
• The update cadence every contractor needs
• How to become proactive instead of reactive
• The mindset shift that keeps your projects moving smoothly
• Why systemized communication gives you back your time, trust, and sanity

If you want fewer interruptions, stronger client relationships, and more room to actually run your business not babysit it this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in, take notes, and start taking control of your time again.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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You’re the Bottleneck Here’s How a Remote Project Coordinator Fixes That

If your jobs only move forward when you’re involved, this episode is the wake-up call you’ve been needing. Most remodelers don’t realize how much time, money, and energy they lose simply because they’re trying to run every detail themselves. And as the business grows, that pressure only gets heavier.

In this episode, Philip Sessions breaks down exactly how a trained Remote Project Coordinator can remove you from daily fires, keep your jobs on schedule, and give you back the freedom you haven’t felt in years.

You’ll learn:
• Why YOU might be the reason jobs slow down
• What a Remote Project Coordinator actually does (and why it’s a game-changer)
• How they manage communication, scheduling, JobTread updates, and subcontractors
• The five systems you need in place to manage this role effectively
• What it feels like when your jobs move forward even when your phone is on the charger at night
• The path to becoming a true business owner instead of the business bottleneck

Philip also shares a free guide that walks you through the top five ways a Remote Project Coordinator saves you time, stress, and money plus a checklist to help you get started immediately.

If you’re tired of chasing subs, updating JobTread at 10 p.m., or being the only person holding the business together, this episode shows you the path out.

👉 Grab the free guide https://www.refinedva.com/5-ways using the link in the description.

And if you’d rather not train or find a coordinator yourself, Our team can place a JobTread-trained, fully prepared Remote Project Coordinator directly into your business.

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Why Your Content Looks Good but Isn’t Bringing In Clients

Most contractors are posting content that looks solid but it’s not converting. And the surprising part? It’s not because your business is boring. It’s because you’re doing everything yourself, reacting instead of operating with a real strategy.

In this episode, we break down why DIY content stops working the moment your business starts growing and how a trained virtual assistant can turn your social media from random posts into a real lead-generating pipeline.

You’ll learn:
• The #1 shift that turns before-and-after photos into a story clients actually care about
• Why consistency is king and nearly impossible when you’re on the job site all day
• How to stop working in your social media and start working on it like a true CMO
• How a VA can handle the editing, posting, structuring, scheduling, and strategy so you can focus on the work only you can do
• The exact reason clients start reaching out, even when they never like or comment

If you’re tired of posting randomly, tired of inconsistent results, or tired of trying to be a full-time marketer while running a full-time construction business, this episode is going to hit home.

Ready to turn posts into pipelines? Shoot us a DM on Instagram with the word SMMSocialMediaManager and we’ll walk you through how our team can support your next level of growth.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

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The Scariest Decision in Business: Do You Hire Before You’re Ready?

This episode is an honest look into a tension every entrepreneur eventually faces: when your business is growing but not quite enough to comfortably make your next hire. I’m in that exact season right now debating whether to keep profits tucked away “just in case,” or reinvest everything back into the team so the company can reach its next level.

Inside today’s episode, I break down:
✅ The fear of reinvesting when the profit cushion isn’t huge
✅ How to decide who your next hire should be
✅ Why keeping money in the bank can actually slow your growth
✅ The difference between protecting stability vs. enabling expansion
✅ How to think like the future version of your business not the current one

You’ll hear my real-time thought process about adding a marketing-focused team member (or two… or three), what that would mean financially, and why I’m choosing to double down even when it feels uncomfortable.

If you’re wrestling with your own “should I hire?” moment, this episode will help you zoom out, see the bigger picture, and make decisions based on where you’re going not where you’re standing today.

🌐 Learn more about what I do at: https://www.refinedva.com/

🎙️ Audio Podcast : https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1964444/dashboard

Let’s stay connected across all platforms:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamphilipsessions/?hl=en
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@philipsessions
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-sessions-b2986563/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therealphilipsessions
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/philipsessions

Support the show