The Virtually Amazing Assistants Podcast

Rebranding and Evolution in the EA Community with Nicky Christmas.   In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistant, host Shelley Fishel is joined by Nicky Christmas, Founder and Chief Executive of The EA Campus.   They discuss the rebranding journey from Practically Perfect PA to The EA Campus, the impact of the pandemic on the assistant industry, the evolution and future of the EA role, and the importance of mastering fundamental skills alongside embracing new technologies like AI. They also share personal insights and advice for new assistants and the significance of building a strong professional network.     00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome   00:38 The Evolution of Practically Perfect PA to EA Campus 01:59 Challenges and Insights in Rebranding   06:39 The Role and Evolution of Executive Assistants   10:25 Advice for New Assistants   11:46 The Impact of AI and Technology   14:10 Pioneering Virtual Summits   20:15 Future Skills for Assistants 26:26 Building a Strong EA/PA Network   28:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  FollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Rebranding and Evolution in the EA Community with Nicky Christmas. first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Adapting, Thriving, and Helping Others: Suzi Stanier’s Dynamic Journey   In this lively episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, host Shelley Fishel chats with the incredible Suzi Stanier, founder of Suzi Stanier Business Solutions. Suzi’s agency specializes in virtual assistance and online business management services, aiming to bring calm to overwhelmed small business owners.   With a rich background in local government, civil service, and the adaptability of a military spouse, Suzi shares her journey from administration roles to founding her own business.   Along the way, she talks about her qualification as a radiographer, her experiences with frequent relocations, and how she maintains organization under pressure.   Tune in for practical strategies on time management, the effective use of automation tools, and a contagious passion for helping businesses thrive. Suzi also shares her preference for Microsoft over Google and provides tips for avoiding overwhelm and boosting productivity.   Enjoy an episode filled with invaluable insights and inspiring stories!   00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome   01:48 Suzi’s Diverse Background   02:28 Transition to Virtual Assistance   04:04 Challenges and Adaptability   05:14 Running a Business on the Move   07:16 Time Management and Overcoming Overwhelm   18:56 Smart Automations and Tools   26:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  FollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Adapting, Thriving, and Helping Others: Suzi Stanier’s Dynamic Journey first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Unlocking Time Management and Personal Growth with Abigail Barnes  In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, host Shelley Fishel engages in an insightful conversation with Abigail Barnes, founder and CEO of Success by Design Training.   Abigail, an expert in time management and productive wellbeing, introduces her innovative 8-8-8 formula, which divides the day into three equal parts for sleep, work, and personal life. The discussion covers the importance of tracking time, understanding one’s personal energy patterns through human design, and the impact of mindset on productivity.   Abigail also shares her extensive marketing background, offering valuable tips for assistants to market themselves effectively.   Key takeaways include the significance of auditing time,  and making incremental changes for improved productivity and personal growth.  00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview   02:16 Abigail Barnes’ 8-8-8 Formula for Time Management   05:16 Exploring Human Design and Sleep Patterns   08:51 The Importance of Marketing Yourself   16:32 Time Management Challenges and Solutions   20:45 Key Lessons and Final Thoughts  FollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Unlocking Time Management and Personal Growth with Abigail Barnes first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Unlocking Productivity and Creativity with Steven Puri  Join host Shelley Fishel on this exciting episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants as she chats with Steven Puri, the dynamic CEO and founder of The Sukha Company.   From his early days as a newscaster to producing visual effects for films like Independence Day and venturing into tech entrepreneurship, Steven shares his incredible journey and the inspiration behind The Sukha Company.   Discover how this innovative productivity tool can help you achieve a focused and efficient workday through flow states, smart assistants, and unique strategies for minimizing distractions.   Packed with valuable insights, fun anecdotes, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and virtual assistants, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to boost their productivity and creativity.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction   00:41 Steven Puri’s Diverse Career Journey   02:32 The Inspiration Behind The Sukha Company   03:59 How The Sukha App Works   08:12 The Importance of Focus and Flow   13:39 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 19:14 Challenging Yourself for Meaningful Work   19:58 Using Music to Enhance Focus   20:28 Blocking Distractions with Smart Assistants 23:31 Understanding Your Chronotype for Productivity   24:44 Creating the Right Workspace Environment 29:14 Incorporating Ambient Sounds for Focus   FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Unlocking Productivity and Creativity with Steven Puri  first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes Balancing Work and Wellbeing: Insights from Susanna Simmons In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, the host welcomes Susanna Simmons, a multifaceted professional specializing in fitness and lifestyle coaching combined with customer experience strategy. Susanna shares her journey from corporate IT training to becoming a fitness coach and helping third chapter solopreneurs—individuals aged 45 and above—thrive both personally and professionally. They discuss the importance of sustainable habits, the challenges of balancing family and work, and the significance of self-care to prevent burnout. Susanna also provides practical tips on maintaining wellbeing and building successful, long-term customer relationships.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:08 Susanna Simmons’ Background and Expertise 03:49 Understanding the Third Chapter Solopreneurs 09:15 Susanna’s Personal Journey and Career Transition 10:51 Blending Fitness Coaching with Customer Experience 13:38 The Evolution of Retirement and Work-Life Balance 14:53 Customer Experience and Software Adoption 17:15 Understanding Stakeholder Dynamics 18:49 Common Challenges for Solopreneurs 20:13 Building Sustainable Habits 21:39 Personal Experience with Habit Formation 22:46 The Importance of Enjoyable Habits 23:44 Adapting Habits to Individual Routines 27:21 Practical Tips for Accountability 31:35 Remote Work and Global Clients 32:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Balancing Work and Wellbeing: Insights from Susanna Simmons first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes Empowering Assistants: Insights from Bonnie Lo Kramen In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, the host is joined by Bonnie Lo Kramen, a pioneering advocate for transforming the workplace. Bonnie shares her extensive experience as a former executive assistant to Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis and her mission to create respectful and equitable workplaces. The conversation covers the importance of assistants becoming powerful advocates for themselves, addressing issues like bullying and pay inequity, and the role of AI in the future of work. Bonnie also sheds light on her book, Staff Matters, which underscores the importance of listening to support staff in leadership conversations. This insightful episode is a must-listen for assistants looking to navigate workplace challenges and empower themselves in their roles. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:27 Bonnie’s Background and Achievements 02:06 The Future of the Workplace 02:48 Generational Differences in the Assistant Profession 05:32 Challenges and Changes in the Assistant Profession 09:24 The Role of AI in the Workplace 13:38 Empowering Assistants as Leaders 18:35 Addressing Workplace Bullying 27:06 Gender Differences and Workplace Dynamics 28:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts     FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Empowering Assistants: Insights from Bonnie Lo Kramen first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes A Conversation with Jeremy Burrows: Leadership and Automation in the Executive Assistant Role In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, Shelley hosts Jeremy Burrows, a seasoned executive assistant, international speaker, and author of the bestselling book ‘The Leader Assistant.’ Jeremy talks about his career journey, the importance of leadership for assistants, and his approach to preventing burnout. He also introduces his new AI-powered Leader Assistant Academy. The discussion delves into how automation and AI are reshaping the future of the assistant role, offering key advice on building confidence and implementing effective boundaries.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:32 Jeremy Burrows’ Background and Achievements 01:42 Automation and Its Impact on Assistants 02:17 Jeremy’s Career Journey and Key Experiences 08:18 The Concept of the Leader Assistant 18:14 The Leader Assistant Academy 22:09 Challenges and Future of Assistants with AI 26:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Websites  Resources & Training for Executive & Administrative Assistants – LeaderAssistant.com The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant The Leader Assistant Podcast – Subscribe Now Get Jeremy’s bestselling book – The Leader Assistant.   FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Jeremy Burrows – The Leader Assistant first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes In Discussion with Paige Wiese about Safeguarding Your Digital Assets   In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, Shelley chats with Paige Wiese, owner and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a top-ranked Denver-based marketing agency.   The conversation covers various aspects of digital asset management, including the importance of protecting hosting, domains, social media accounts, and third-party tools.   Paige shares insights into the development of Tree Ring Digital’s proprietary service for tracking and safeguarding these assets. She discusses the significance of documenting and managing digital assets effectively, especially for business owners and administrative professionals.  They also explore Paige’s journey from architecture to digital marketing and how she combines her love for the outdoors with her business philosophy. Additionally, Paige emphasizes the value of mentorship and community support in her career. The episode concludes with practical tips for administrative professionals to excel in managing digital assets.    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome  00:37 Meet Paige Wiese  Founder of Tree Ring Digital  02:33 Understanding Digital Assets  05:10 The Inspiration Behind Tree Ring Digital  06:31 Paige’s Journey from Architecture to Digital Marketing  12:32 The Importance of Digital Asset Management  20:34 Mentorship and Speaking Engagements  23:48 Final Thoughts and Farewell  FollowFollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  http://virtuallyamazingassistants.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Paige-Wiese.mp3 The post Unveiling the Power of Digital Asset Management with Paige Wiese first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes In this episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, Shelley engages in a captivating conversation with Helen Monument, an inspiring figure in the world of administrative professionals. Helen shares her journey from a receptionist to founding Monumental Assistance and becoming a global thought leader in administrative roles.   The discussion spans her extensive career, her passion for enhancing the profession, the creation of the Global Skills Matrix, and Helen’s involvement with the World Administrators Alliance.   Additionally, Helen discusses her upcoming book, the A to Z of Leadership for Assistants, and offers valuable insights and tips for administrative professionals, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and self-promotion.    00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement  02:18 Helen Monument’s Career Journey  03:52 Key Experiences and Skills  08:08 Opportunities and Mentoring at Shell  11:46 Founding Monumental Assistance  18:17 Challenges and Adaptations During COVID-19  20:51 Impact of COVID on Work and Training  22:11 Introduction to the World Administrators Summit  24:22 Formation of the World Administrative Alliance  28:01 Challenges for Administrative Assistants  35:06 The A to Z of Leadership for Assistants  38:25 Final Thoughts and Tips for Assistants  FollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Unlocking Leadership and Career Growth for Administrative Professionals with Helen Monument first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .

Show Notes   Welcome to Season Two of Virtually Amazing Assistants! In this episode, I chat with Wendy Norman, founder of Live Link Resource Limited, a virtual assistant company specializing in supporting private healthcare clinics. Wendy shares her incredible journey from a varied career, including a stint in the Royal Navy, to establishing her successful business. Despite living with rheumatoid arthritis, Wendy has built a thriving company that helps clinicians manage their practices more effectively. Wendy discusses the importance of networking, the challenges of running a business while managing a chronic illness, and her strategies for stepping back from day-to-day operations. She also highlights the common challenges faced by private healthcare clinics, such as handling patient inquiries and adapting to a client-focused mindset. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that underscores the resilience and determination required to succeed in the virtual assistant industry.   Timings 00:00 Introduction and Theme Song  00:46 Welcome to Virtually Amazing Assistants  01:02 Meet Wendy Norman  02:34 Wendy’s Career Journey  08:42 Transition to Virtual Assistance  16:20 Challenges and Triumphs  18:11 Recognizing the Need for Change  19:49 Building a Business Without Working In It  21:07 Networking and Expanding  22:19 Staffing Challenges and Solutions  23:49 Handing Over the Reins  24:34 Challenges in Private Healthcare  28:36 Valuing Your Services  31:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  FollowFollowFollowFollow Get in Touch with Shelley Fishel – The MS Office Maestro! For over 25 years, Shelley Fishel has been empowering organizations of all sizes with her expert Microsoft Applications training. Whether you’re looking for self-paced online courses or tailored group programs, Shelley has the perfect solution to enhance your team’s productivity and skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your organization’s efficiency. Book a call with Shelley today to discuss your training needs and discover how her expertise can benefit your assistants. ✅ Shelley Fishel – FLPI CDOL COLF | LinkedIn Book a chat  The post Navigating Success in the Virtual Assistant World with Wendy Norman first appeared on Virtually Amazing Assistants .