Confessions of a CEO

Tired of playing calendar-tetris with your partner and fighting over forgotten car insurance renewals? But all you actually want is a peaceful and enjoyable date night once in a while?In this episode, we reveal how investing £420 monthly in a Lifestyle Virtual Assistant can transform your home life and your relationship from running on fumes to beautifully organised and happy.I’ll share how successful but overburdened couples have been virtually outsourcing their household management to us to create more space for what truly matters with as little as 10 hours a month.We’ll be covering;Why household management is a leading cause of relationship tensionHow home VA support can transform relationship dynamicsThe strategic approach to outsourcing life adminWhy date nights and family celebrations matter more than you thinkLearn how couples are using Virtual Assistants to eliminate the "invisible work" that typically falls on one partner, creating more equality and harmony at home.Ready to get some quality time back for your relationship and have your home life organised for you?Listen to the full episode for detailed strategies and real examples of how we have been helping folks just like you create a more harmonious home life.Click below to learn more about working with our Lifestyle Virtual Assistants.Resources Mentioned:Explore our Lifestyle Virtual Assistant services hereFollow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereBook a free Discovery Call with Mel to discuss how a VA can support your business or life admin.Join the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

If you’ve been thinking about hiring a Virtual Assistant but unsure whether to find a VA yourself or work with an agency, or if you've been wondering how to get the support you need while ensuring fair treatment of VAs and maintaining high standards, this episode is a must-listen.In this pod swap episode from Lauren Glynn’s podcast Process to Profit, Lauren interviews me - Mel Maw, founder of the Lifestyle Virtual Assistant Agency, to challenge common misconceptions about VA agencies and explore what set’s my agency apart by breaking down what quality support really looks like.Lauren asked me some brilliant questions and I share my refreshingly honest perspective on:Why working with an agency often costs the same as hiring directlyHow my UK-based agency ensures fair compensation and maintains high standardsThe extensive behind-the-scenes support that makes client-VA relationships thriveReal strategies for maintaining work-life boundaries and preventing burnoutHow security, confidentiality, and data protection actually work in practiceI break down exactly what goes into creating successful client-VA relationships and why proper matching, training, and ongoing support matter more than just finding the lowest price.This episode was previously published in 2024 on the Process to Profit podcast with Lauren Glynn titled: Bonus Ep - VA Series, The Case for VA Agencies (shared on my podcast with permission)Resources Mentioned:Explore The Lifestyle VA’s Services hereFollow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereBook a free Discovery Call with Mel to discuss how a VA can support your business or life admin.Join the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

In this deeply personal episode, our Virtual Assistant client and HR consultant Jo Taylor shares how losing her husband, who handled much of her business admin, challenged her to find new support through one of the most difficult periods of her life. This honest conversation explores how sometimes our biggest challenges can lead to unexpected growth.If you’ve ever wondered what hiring a VA is like, how getting matched works, and just how essential a VA can be to your business, this is a conversation you definitely want to listen to.Key moments from the episode:Jo's vulnerable story of realising she needed VA support after her husband's passing, and how fighting against getting help initially held her business backWhy even HR experts sometimes need help hiring (Jo's admission that her "talent radar can be off" is so refreshing)The results her dedicated right-hand VA created: her business debt collection improved from 60% to 85-90% of monthly ledger collected.A candid discussion about handling her VA’s maternity leave and how we went about finding her the perfect temporary replacement (It really is all about the handover!)The financial benefits of using VAs versus employees in 2025, especially with the new NI contribution changes and why this year we’ll see such a shift away from employment into the likes of VA contractor services.*Trigger warning - episode discusses the death of a loved one.Resources Mentioned:Meet Jo: Her websiteBook a free Discovery Call with Mel to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.Follow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereView our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideJoin the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

Ever felt quite nervous at the thought of handing over your business or personal details to a Virtual Assistant? You’re not alone.In this episode, I’ll be sharing how to hire a VA with confidence, especially when you’ve got sensitive information at stake.I’m sharing everything you need to know about how our Virtual Assistants protect their clients and what important factors to look for when hiring including:• How we handle privacy for CEOs with trade secrets (yes, even the ones with world famous apps and products you and I use every day).• Why our medical professionals trust us to navigate patient confidentiality with the care and trust your patients need.• Exactly how we keep our high-profile client lives (and sensitive info) under wraps – so they feel safe and protected with us.Learn how we (and every VA should) safeguard your data with NDAs, encrypted passwords, and tailored systems. And hear why trusting the right VA can be a game-changer, not a gamble.Ready to hire a brilliant, trustworthy VA, so you can feel at ease when hiring a VA in 2025? I encourage you to book a call now using the link below.Resources Mentioned:Follow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereBook a free Discovery Call to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.Download our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideJoin the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

The VA industry continue to evolve and in this episode I’m covering key trends that you as a business owner hiring a VA needs to know about the VA industry in 2025.I break down three key trends reshaping how businesses like yours work with VAs — and the third one will help you weight up employing someone for the role, or hiring a VA instead.From pay transparency and fair wages to accessing specialised services without juggling multiple providers, these trends aren’t just predictions — they’re based of over 6 years running a Virtual Assistant agency in this field.Plus, with rising employment costs on the horizon, the VA model could be more valuable and cost effective than ever.Ready to be informed so you can make better moves when hiring a VA in 2025? Tune in now. Your business will thank you later.Resources Mentioned:Follow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereBook a free Discovery Call to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.View our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideJoin the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

As we wrap up the year, you’re probably reflecting on everything you’ve accomplished and dreaming up bold goals for next year. But what if you didn’t have to tackle it all alone?In this episode, I dive into why now is the perfect time to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA). Whether you’re doing your year-end review, setting ambitious 2025 goals, or craving more downtime without dropping the ball, a VA can be the productive back office support you’ve been thinking of bringing on board.We’ll explore how:Your year-end review can reveal where you really need support.How setting bigger goals becomes way more doable when you’ve got the right VA by your side.Resting doesn’t have to mean things stop moving — because your VA keeps the wheels turning even when you’re off the clock.By the end of this episode, you’ll see how hiring a VA can free you up to do more of what you love — in business and in life. Ready to kick off the new year feeling supported, productive, and restful?Let’s chat. Book your call now — link below in the show notes! Resources Mentioned:Follow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereBook a free Discovery Call to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.Download our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideJoin the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

Are you always running at full speed, putting out fires, juggling client tasks, and tackling a never-ending to-do list? If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in “catch-up” mode and there’s no space to even think about what’s next, this episode is for you because you might be stuck in reactive mode.We’re diving into the difference between reactive mode and proactive mode—what they actually look like, why reactive mode is secretly running the show, and how it’s wreaking havoc on your business (and sanity).Spoiler: When you’re stuck in reactive mode, the mistakes pile up, frustration levels skyrocket, and your team and clients might feel the fallout more than you realise.But it’s not all doom and gloom—there’s a better way to operate, and we’re breaking it all down and telling you how you can switch into proactive mode.In this episode, you’ll hear about:• How to know if you’re stuck in reactive mode (even if it feels like “business as usual”).• The sneaky ways reactive thinking shows up in your emails, calendar, and even your team communication.• Why switching to proactive mode could save your energy, improve client retention, and finally let you focus on the projects that actually move the needle.We’ll also chat about the one of the many things that can help you make the shift: support and the kind you need.Whether it’s getting help with inbox management or those time-consuming admin tasks, this might be the key to stepping into proactive mode and reclaiming your time and brain space.So, if you’re ready to feel one step ahead (instead of five steps behind), hit play now. Let’s get into it!Links & Resources:Ready to explore how a Virtual Assistant could help you get out of reactive mode? Book a free chat here.Follow Mel on Linkedin for more tips and insights hereDownload our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideJoin the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

Ever feel like you’re making decisions all day long, from the moment you get out of bed to the last email before sleep?You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the sneaky, exhausting culprit of decision fatigue and explore how it affects every part of your life as a business owner or CEO.Experts say we make up to 35,000 choices a day—and as a business owner, those decisions can pile up fast, leaving you feeling drained, scattered, and unable to focus on the big picture.Tune In to Learn:• What decision fatigue really is and why it impacts high achievers and business owners like you so heavily.• Signs you’re in the “decision fatigue danger zone” and how it’s affecting your productivity, relationships, and energy.• How a Virtual Assistant can help you reduce decision fatigue by taking on routine choices, so you can get back to leading and growing your business with clarity and confidence.If you’re ready to stop letting decision fatigue drain you and start working with a VA who takes all those micro-decisions off your plate, book a call with us—click the link belowResources Mentioned:Download our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideBook a free Discovery Call to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.Join the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series

Feeling buried by never-ending to-do lists and demands coming from all sides? Trust me, I get it. As an agency owner with a packed client roster and a team of six, I’ve been there.But I found my saving grace: boundaries. And today, I’m sharing exactly how you can use the same boundaries I set up to keep my business running smoothly while protecting your peace and avoiding burnout.In this episode, I walk you through the 5 Essential Boundaries that have been game-changers for me. From blocking off set days for deep work, to turning off notifications, and setting clear email-checking routines, these strategies help me focus on what really matters.Here’s what you’ll get out of today’s episode:• Why I swear by “no-call Mondays and Fridays” to set up my week and stay ahead and still get everything done• How time-blocking and checking Slack just twice a day keep me sane and productive• How I minimise distractions to protect my focus• My easy, four-step email system to keep my inbox (and mind) clear and organised• How creating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for everything has freed me up and empowered my teamIf you’re a CEO looking for more headspace, some productivity magic, or simply a smoother path to scaling, these boundaries could make a world of difference for you, too.Ready to reclaim your time? Tune in to hear how I make these boundaries work for me—and if you’re thinking a VA could help you get similar results, click the link below to book a call with me.And don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on productivity and business growth in upcoming episodes.Resources Mentioned:Download our VA Lifestyle & Business Services GuideBook a free Discovery Call to discuss how a VA can effortlessly transform your business or your life admin.Join the Delegate Like a CEO Weekly Email Series