We close the 2nd season with none other than Rick Liston, a wedding photographer turned founder of the fast-growing outsourcing agency Wedding Workflows. Rick has been a number one supporter of the podcast so to have him on for the season finale is a full circle moment. We chat with Rick about how the wedding photography landscape has evolved over the past few years, and the ways stepping into the role of business owner and leader has challenged and changed him. From building a team gro...

In this episode, we sit down with the inspiring founder of Cut a Fig (@cutafig), Elise Aguilar, who started a vibrant learning community built on the values of affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity. From poetry writing to SEO Basics, Cut a Fig offers a welcoming space where anyone can explore their creative potential. We picked her brain on topics like why making creative education more accessible matters now more than ever, and how she designs classes that meet people where they are...

Let’s be real… the VA space is saturated with people who are only after the money. At what cost? Undervalued freelancers, underpriced services, and underwhelming standards. Remote work may be a blessing, but thinking it’s a shortcut would be a mistake. You can’t determine your worth if you don’t provide value. Business Coach and Freelance Extraordinaire, Abby Soria, shares her take on this without beating around the bush. For her, freelancing isn’t just landing a gig — it’s operating like a b...

In this episode, we take a much-needed pause to challenge a powerful but often unspoken belief: that our productivity defines our worth. If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, equated your to-do list with your identity, or struggled to separate your work from who you are, then this conversation is for you. Noe and Ella get real about their struggles and how overworking has affected their mental health. Hustle culture can sneak into everyday life, and their honest reflection is a reminder tha...

In this episode, we sit down with two virtual assistants — one seasoned (Noe Deiparine) and one just getting started (Ella Fontanoza) — to talk about the evolving world of remote work, culture shocks, and what's trending in the VA industry today. From comparing Filipino and foreign bosses to the (very real) surprise of receiving compliments from clients, these two Scorpio girlies get candid about the joys and awkward moments of VA life. We all know what it's like to navigate a remote job with...

When it comes to achieving focus with intention, the story behind the Sukha App is one that stands out from the rest. Sukha is a mindful focus tool rooted in a holistic philosophy of healthy productivity and finding joy through work, and we got to talk to its founder. Steven Puri has spent 20+ years leading remote teams — first as an EVP at DreamWorks and a VP at 20th Century Fox and then as a 3x CEO in tech. Along the way, he learned that what actually makes remote work successful isn’...

Connecting with people online might be easy, but building genuine friendships takes more than just a heart react. In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with wedding photographer, Peta Hall, and her VA, Lawrence — the dynamic duo behind the daily operations of "Captured By Peta" a photography business in Bendigo, Victoria. What started as a professional relationship has grown into a true friendship, full of inside jokes, shared values, and deep mutual respect. We also dove...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a graphic designer — beyond the aesthetics and into the everyday reality? In this episode, we chat with Noura Maloloy-on, a freelance designer, about the messy uncertainty of the creative process, balancing client relationships, and staying true to your personal design style while bringing brand visions to life. From brainstorming ideas seemingly out of thin air (that's right, they don't just rely on templates) to navigating feedback, deadlines, and...

In this episode, we dive into some of the most eye-opening, thought-provoking, and relatable stories from Reddit about the realities of a modern workplace. From the latest drama that VAs have experienced to workplace struggles like upskilling, gatekeeping, and career growth, we’re breaking down the posts, sharing our takes, and offering some subjective insights. Joining us to tackle these stories is Nicolle "Collai" Bararodin, a dedicated VA with a strong business background and passion for t...

In part 2, Bee talks about the reality of her life as an entrepreneur & being honest on social media, & how she doesn't just share highlight reels to appeal to the algorithm. When it comes to her journey in the freelancing industry, Bee will always keep it real. But showing up on social media isn't just a matter of starting conversations -- it's also her strategy for building credibility & ensuring profitability for her business. It's safe to say that Bee is here to play the long ...

Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to run a successful 6-figure business? Spoiler alert: it’s not as glamorous as it looks on social media. Through the incredible power of the internet, we got to connect with Barbara "Bee", a Cebu-based VA mentor and the founder of Your Virtual Sidekick PH. Passionate about the virtual landscape, she instantly got to discussing the realities of her life as a virtual business owner for the past ten years. She gets candid about the criticisms she faced ...

We all run on caffeine, and this week's guest is no exception. As a Brisbane-based wedding photographer and business owner, Samantha Li juggles a hundred ideas at once, but hiring a Virtual Assistant may be more vital for her business than coffee ever could be. In this episode, Sam openly talks about the standards she sets for herself and her team, how a VA has transformed her workflow, and the unexpected challenges that came with delegation. But it isn't all rainbows and butterflies, a...

Think landing a VA job is all about skills? Think again. When it comes to the hiring process, you need to know what really matters because it can make or break your chances. Our guest, Trish, who's worked as a journalist, financial advisor, and VA recruiter, came ready with practical tips for applicants to help you put your best foot forward. And while you may be able to count on one hand the number of years we have in this industry, we already know that this job is just as much about your a...

Why is money such a tricky topic for so many of us? While some discuss it freely, others shy away from the conversation. This is why it was so great to have an open conversation about accounting & personal finance with Hyfa, a Business Administration graduate & Finance Head at a start-up. In this episode, we talk about the realities of her role, building systems with her team, & using different invoicing tools, as well as her journey of financial literacy as a young adult. This ...

IG feed inspos, unique marketing tactics, and deleting social media -- there's nothing like getting the crew together for the holidays to spill on some BTS madness. The Briefing In team may be an introverted bunch, but they're showing off their "top-tier professionalism" (or so they claim!) in this special episode. We can't think of a better way to end the year than by having a crazy fun time with the Briefing In crew! Don’t miss an episode and get access to exclusive Briefing In content by ...

You don’t need to know sports to understand the weight of a good pitch. In baseball, it controls the game. And in a sales call, it can make or break a deal. Briefing In is back for season 2! And in this episode, we're talking sales. Head of Sales and Client Success Manager, Barbs, sat down with us to walk us through how discovery calls work and how shaping the client experience isn't a one-dimensional process. Who knew that it also involved a bit of matchmaking? Don’t miss an episode and g...

In the season finale of Briefing In, get ready to meet our talented podcast editor, Dani. You sent in questions about everything you wanted to know regarding the podcast, and we answered them! Well, at least we tried to. We talked about how we found our way to the fundamental question every podcaster faces: "What are we doing this for?" Then we stumbled upon topics such as the concept of being an "expensive person" and guilty pleasures. In this episode, we reflect on our journey this season...

From freelancer turned business owner, this episode’s guest, Royce, reflects on her 10 years of experience in the industry to unpack how she’s learned to equip herself with strategies in setting herself up for success. We kick off by discussing the art of negotiating rates with clients, emphasizing the importance of understanding your worth and setting clear expectations. We also explore the benefits of being a specialist in certain platforms, highlighting how focusing on a specific niche can...

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Mike, a seasoned freelancer and mentor in the creative industry, to discuss pivotal moments and career-defining experiences. Mike opens up about his long and winding journey from the corporate world to freelancing, and shares the exhilarating moment when he felt like he had truly "made it." We didn’t shy away from the hard questions either, such as the challenges posed by heightened competition, shifting market demands, and the pursuit of going v...

We all want to be effective and efficient at our jobs, but what does that actually mean? And what’s the first step we need to take to get there? In this episode, we go back to the basics with Charm, an Account Executive for an international Digital Marketing company who has experience as a Project Manager, and we talk about how you don’t need to look at 10-20 different ways of doing things in order to be productive. The simpler, the better. Charm and Chelsea explore the critical importance o...