A Message From the Founder of The Virtual Assistant & Company

After running my business for over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with many clients across many industries. Along the way, I’ve come to embrace a powerful truth shared by Abraham-Hicks: “If you know what you don’t want, then you know what you do want.” That mindset has helped me refine my client selection process. 

These days, I only take on clients who align with my expertise, work style, and values—clients I genuinely enjoy collaborating with. And guess what? It’s okay to say no to potential clients who aren’t the right fit. About one-third of the people who reach out to me don’t align with my business model, and I thank them, wish them well, and move on.

As service providers, we must be intentional about who we want to work with. Burnout is inevitable if you say yes to clients whose energy doesn’t vibe with yours or whose tasks you dread.

I encourage you to pause and reflect: What work drains you (for me, it’s bookkeeping)? What work lights you up? Consider the practical details as well—do their time zones align with your office hours? Do their turnaround expectations align with your workflow? I don’t work evenings or weekends; my standard task turnaround is 1–3 business days. Need something in 24 hours? That’s a premium rate. 

I also factor in the tools they use—I’m a Google Workspace person through and through and prefer G-W over MS Office any day!

Just as they’re interviewing me, I’m interviewing them, using a clear set of questions to ensure we’re a mutual good and healthy fit. If you’re an Executive Virtual Assistant looking to work with clients that align with you and your business model and need help dialing this in, I offer coaching classes designed just for you.

Let’s build a business you love. Coaching call with Kathleen https://calendly.com/thevirtualassistantandcompany/1-1-coaching-call-with-kathleen

Transcripts Made Easy With Whisper AI

If you’ve ever tried to transcribe a meeting, podcast, or workshop manually… whew. You already know it’s not the vibe.  I used to spend hours playing and pausing audio, trying to catch every word—until I found a better way.

Enter: Whisper AI, OpenAI’s open-source speech-to-text tool that makes transcribing crystal clear (and surprisingly accurate).

With just a quick upload, Whisper turns audio or video files into searchable, editable transcripts—no more guessing what someone said or skimming through hours of footage. I’ve used it for everything from podcast interviews to client meeting notes that needed to be sorted and summarized.

Pro tip: Once you’ve got the transcript, paste it into Google Docs so you can easily highlight key phrases, search by keyword, or break things down by topic. It’s a great way to organize thoughts, spot patterns, or even pull quotes for marketing.

Whether you’re a coach, podcaster, team lead, or creative juggling multiple projects, this tool is a total game-changer. 

Book Review: Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

One of my long-term clients from UC Davis recently recommended this book, and I loved it! I believe in continuous personal and professional development, and this book meets both criteria.

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg is a New York Times best seller and an insightful exploration of the art of effective communication. Duhigg, known for his bestselling book The Power of Habit, applies his storytelling skills to reveal how some individuals and organizations master the nuances of communication to drive success.

The book takes readers on a journey through both historical and contemporary examples, from politicians and CEOs to everyday influencers. Duhigg outlines the science behind how effective communicators engage, persuade, and connect with others, emphasizing the importance of listening, timing, and tailoring their approach to the audience’s needs. Through a combination of research, case studies, and practical tips, he provides a roadmap for improving one’s communication skills.

What stands out in Supercommunicators is its accessibility. Duhigg doesn’t just dwell on theory; he offers actionable advice that readers can apply to personal and professional interactions. Whether you’re giving a presentation, negotiating a deal, or simply having a conversation, Duhigg’s insights on human behavior and communication dynamics can help you engage more effectively.

Overall, Supercommunicators is a compelling read for anyone seeking to enhance their communication skills and make a lasting impact in any aspect of life.