• The Long Game of Networking
    Aug 30 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares her love of networking and how to consistently network in order to build your business. 

    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    1:02 - Why she started networking;

    1:50 - How Melissa discovered the value of having even a small network;

    2:50 - The kind of networking Melissa does not enjoy;

    3:35 - Specific purpose networking;

    7:57 - Why it’s no one’s job to refer your business;

    8:25 - How Melissa stays connected to her network;

    9:15 - Asking for referrals;

    12:32 - Networking too late;

    13:00 - Knowing why you want to network;

    13:26 - Knowing what you give when networking;

    14:10 - How to know if your networking is successful;

    15:45 - Networking consistently;

    17:15 - Putting bad networking events into perspective;


    Why do you network?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/


    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

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    19 mins
  • Growing Your Business Slowly
    Aug 16 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares the struggle, pain, persistence, lessons learned, and the ultimate joy if you have a business that is growing slowly.

    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    2:07 - What drives Melissa;

    3:03 - Why growing your business slowly affects all business owners;

    4:05 - Coping with slow growth;

    6:40 - The great thing about slow growth;

    9:44 - How Melissa knew her business was growing every single day;

    11:15 - Harnessing a gardener’s mindset;

    13:15 - Asking yourself what is the lesson to be learned;

    16:05 - Why growing your business slowly isn’t the worst thing in the world;


    What lessons are you learning from growing your business slowly?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/



    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

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    21 mins
  • Vacationing As A VA
    Jul 19 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares her thoughts on vacationing as a VA.


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    1:35 - The importance of knowing yourself;

    2:44 - Where to start in vacationing planning;

    5:40 - What VAs usually leave out of vacation planning;

    8:50 - The most important part of a vacation;

    9:42 - The best vacation plan;


    How do you set yourself up for vacation success?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/



    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
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    11 mins
  • Make Mistakes!
    Jul 5 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares the great thing about making mistakes and how all mistakes are not created equal.


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    0:55 - Why Melissa wants you to make mistakes;

    2:15 - The place Melissa leads from;

    3:15 - Flipping the script on the mistake warnings;

    4:57 - Why someone else’s mistake is not yours;

    6:08 - The type of people Melissa loves to work with;

    6:58 - Why you shouldn’t focus on mistakes;

    9:12 - Seeing mistakes as a bump in the road;


    Have you ever made a “mistake” that worked in your favor?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/


    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
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    12 mins
  • When Your Ceiling Becomes Your Floor
    Jun 21 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares how to recognize when your ceiling becomes your floor and how to frame your mindset to take your business to the next level.


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    1:07 - What it means to have your ceiling become your floor;

    3:53 - The danger of not recognizing when your ceiling dropped;

    4:25 - Rethinking and starting over;

    5:15 - What it means to take your business to the next level;

    6:28 - The great misconception regarding starting over;

    9:41 - Why set it and forget it doesn’t work in business;

    8:53 - The power of reflecting on past achievements;

    10:18 - Melissa’s hope for your next level business;


    How did you know when your ceiling became your floor?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.

    Connect with Melissa on social media!
    Instagram: @melissasmithva
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/


    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
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    15 mins
  • Turning Soft Skills Into Power Skills
    Jun 7 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares how turning your soft skills into power skills will transform your business, making you more powerful and confident.


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    0:50 - The purpose of turning soft skills into power skills;

    2:10 - What happens when we feel powerless;

    4:15 - Smiling as a power skill;

    6:05 - Keeping a compliment journal to find your powerful value;

    6:38 - What happens when all you look for are dollar signs;

    7:20 - How learning to celebrate ALL your wins is powerful;

    8:53 - The power in reflecting on past achievements;

    9:45 - Powerfully replacing negative thoughts;

    13:30 - How to powerfully build yourself up;


    What is your power skill?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.



    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/



    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
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    15 mins
  • The Problem With Convincing
    May 24 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares not only the problems but the dangers of trying to convince clients and potential clients that you are their VA.


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    1:10 - How to really define a client;

    1:30 - The real problem with convincing;

    3:30 - The secret dangers in trying to convince a potential client;

    5:20 - The red flag you need to watch out for;


    Do you struggle with trying to convince potential clients?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/



    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
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    8 mins
  • What Type of Confidence Do You Have?
    May 10 2023

    In this episode, AVA Founder & CEO, Melissa Smith shares the different types of confidence and how to use them to your advantage. What kind of confidence do you have?


    In this week’s episode, Melissa shares:

    1:26 - Why we need to understand more about confidence itself;

    1:45 - The different types of confidence;

    7:25 - What confidence really is;

    9:15 - Having confidence in what you don’t enjoy;


    What type of confidence do you use most often?


    Prefer to watch the video? Click here to watch it by visiting our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you get notified of future videos.


    Connect with Melissa on social media!

    Instagram: @melissasmithva 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/



    Like the podcast? Want more with VAs like yourself? Join the AVA when membership opens up again. We’re at associationofvas.com. We’d also love for you to share! You can tag us at @associationofvas on social media.

    Support the show
    Show more Show less
    11 mins