If you’ve ever felt like your applications go into a black hole, this episode is for you as I sit down with Fiona Campbell, founder of the Virtual Assistant Lead Network and Thought Penny, to dig into what really works (and what doesn’t) when applying for VA roles and attracting high quality leads.

With 17+ years of experience across PA, EA, and VA roles, Fiona shares insights from behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most trusted VA networks, plus practical ways you can stop winging it and start getting noticed for all the right reasons.

✔️ How to stand out in a crowded application process

✔️ Why some applications get passed over (even if you're qualified)

✔️ The biggest mistakes VAs make when chasing leads

✔️ Whether it’s ever OK to follow up (and how to do it without being pushy)

✔️ The tiny detail in your response that might be making all the difference

✔️ Strategies to gain traction iif you’re applying but not landing any roles.

If you’re ready to ditch the chaos and finally land leads that align with your zone of genius, Fiona’s got a gift for you!

👉 Get 40% OFF your first month or year of membership to the VA Lead Network" VA Lead Network

Use the code AshleeThomasMonthly or AshleeThomasAnnual at checkout.

• Website: valeadnetwork.com.au
• Instagram: @virtual.assistant.lead.network

You don’t need more clients. You don’t need more hours. You need to face the big stuff - the rebrand, the pivot, the long-awaited offer, the thing that’s been sitting in your notes for months.

In this episode of Virtually Free, I’m getting honest about the resistance that shows up when you're about to grow and why the real freedom in your business is often buried under the tasks you keep avoiding. I’ll share my own experience launching Expansion Mastermind (after avoiding it for over a year), the imposter syndrome that came with it, and how doing the scary thing led to a $15K launch.

Whether you’re stuck in busyness, telling yourself “now’s not the right time,” or just unsure where to begin.. this one’s your sign to stop playing small.

✔️ Why the work you’re avoiding is often your biggest opportunity

✔️ How false productivity keeps you stuck

✔️ The mindset shift that helped me stop playing small

✔️ Simple, practical steps to help you start moving forward

💻 Join the New Financial Year Planning Session – July 24, 12:30pm AEST

→ https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/nfyplanning

🎧 Listen to previous episodes on planning your best year yet:

→ How I Plan My School Holidays

→ You Don’t Need More Time, You Need a Better Plan

→ How I’m Planning My New Financial Year

✨ Want to stop winging it and start leading your next season with clarity and purpose?

Join me for the New Financial Year Planning Session on July 24.

We’ll zoom out, review your business, and build a custom plan that supports your life and your income goals.

🎯 Save your seat here → https://www.ashleethomas.site/courses/nfyplanning

The New Financial Year is here and I’m taking you behind the scenes of exactly how I’m planning, resetting, and setting myself up for success. This isn’t about getting more done. It’s about doing the right things, with intention.

I walk you through the exact questions I’m asking, the way I audit my time and income, and how I’m using the NFY Planning Workbook (yes, the same one I share with clients AND those attending the NFY planning session) to reverse engineer my next season of business growth.

In This Episode, I Cover:

✔️ How I’m reviewing and refining my offer suite

✔️ Time and income audits to spot mismatches

✔️ The power of CEO time and quarterly rhythms

✔️ What I’m putting on the calendar first (hint: it’s not business)

✔️ How I’m creating a life-aligned plan for growth

Feeling ready to reset your business and plan with intention? Join me for the New Financial Year Planning Day next Thursday. You’ll walk away with a complete 90-day plan, mapped income targets, aligned offers, and a marketing calendar built around your life

>> Click here to save your spot <<

Pssst.. If this episode resonated, I’d love if you rated and reviewed Virtually Free and don’t forget to tag me @ashleethomas.vacoach when you share.

● Instagram: ashleethomas.vacoach

● Website: www.ashleethomas.com.au

● Join the community: Startup Virtual Assistants Australia

Virtually Free is the go-to podcast for virtual assistants, online service providers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build profitable, flexible businesses that support their lives—not consume them.

Hosted by VA coach and business mentor Ashlee Thomas, each episode is filled with real talk, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you scale sustainably, ditch the hustle mentality, and grow with ease.

New episodes released weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!