Friendly Advice Podcast – Episode 1

After two years away from podcasting and business, I’M BACK. 🎉 In this episode, I’m getting real about why I shut down my thriving virtual assistant agency, the lessons I learned in therapy, and how I’m rebuilding with a fresh perspective. If you’ve ever felt like walking away from your business (or life just forced you to hit pause), this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why I stepped away from my business after hitting 50 clients
✔️ The mental health struggles & postpartum depression that changed everything
✔️ How therapy helped me heal & rethink entrepreneurship
✔️ My new mission: Helping VAs scale from solo to agency owner
✔️ How you can work with me to build your own VA business


My Story: From VA Side Hustle to a 50-Client Agency

Back in 2017, I was just a young woman drowning in debt and desperate for a way out. Like so many of you, I started looking for ways to make extra money. That’s when I stumbled into the world of virtual assistance (VA work)—and it changed my life.

I went from side hustling as a VA while working a 9-to-5 to building a full-blown agency with 50+ clients and a team of amazing editors, admins, and OBMs. We thrived. Business was booming. But behind the scenes?

💔 I was struggling. Hard.


The Breaking Point: Why I Shut It All Down

In 2020, I found out I was pregnant. And while I was thrilled, postpartum depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I barely had the energy to stay awake, let alone run a business.

At first, I tried to push through. My team held things together. My clients stayed. But inside, I was crumbling.

So, I made the hardest decision of my career: I closed my business.

I walked away from everything I had built and took a 9-to-5. I needed stability. I needed therapy. I needed to figure out who I was outside of my business.


The Comeback: What I’m Doing Now & How I Can Help You

Two years (and a LOT of therapy) later, I’m back—but this time, I’m doing things differently.

I’m coaching virtual assistants who want to scale from solo hustler to agency owner.
I’m helping VAs niche down and build profitable, scalable services.
I’m making sure moms & women like me can grow businesses WITHOUT burnout.

If you’re a VA, freelancer, or service provider wondering how to grow beyond one-on-one client work, I’d love to help. I know how to take a VA side hustle and turn it into a six-figure agency—because I’ve done it.

🚀 Let’s build your business together.

📩 Apply for 1:1 CoachingBook A Call

Podcast

Why I Closed My Business & How I’m Coming Back Stronger Than Ever

February 12, 2025

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The show you didn't ask for, but you love the fact that it exists! Tune in every Wednesday as Fran provides advice like your best girlfriend sitting on the couch next to you at home cheering you own online business!

hey Girly pop, im your host fran and im here sharing all the advice about online businesses