Events
Events happening today
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ALL
DAY
05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: The Client-Magnet: Nail Your Niche, Keep ClientsLonger
SPEAKER: Adam Engberg
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Most VAs aren’t underpaid—they’re under-positioned. In this practical and entertaining session, Adam Engberg shares how to define a niche that attracts better clients, boosts your rates, and reduces your workload.
You’ll learn how to:
Nail your niche using “barbell positioning” (secure core + safe experiments) Craft a Minimum Viable Offer that delivers quick wins Use retention rituals to keep clients long-term Avoid high-drama clients with the “Anti-ICP” method Leverage “Searchless SEO” so the right people find you organically If you’re ready to sharpen your positioning and become a magnet for high-quality clients, don’t miss this session.
Adam Engberg – Co-founder of Kirmada, the productivity software for VAs, Adam is a lifelong advocate for business technology innovation.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Don’t Take on More Clients—Monetize with Digital Products
SPEAKER: Amber Louise
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
If your client schedule is full but you’re still looking to grow your income, this session is for you. Join Amber Louise as she shares how Virtual Assistants can turn their skills into sellable digital products that create ongoing revenue—without adding more to their plate.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
Identify profitabledigital product ideas based on your expertise Package templates, eBooks, mini-courses, and more Price and promote your offers effectively Set up simple systems to automate sales and delivery Avoid common missteps when launching your first product Perfect for VAs ready to diversify their income, work smarter, and build a more scalable business.
Amber Louise – Digital business consultant and VA mentor, she helps women confidentlycreate, market, and sell digital products.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: VA to Industry Leader: The Future of Freelance Success
SPEAKER: Breanna Cain
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Most VAs start by offering services—but the ones who thrive become strategic partners and thought leaders. In this empowering session, Breanna Cain shares how to shift from service provider to sought-after expert by building a business that scales beyond hours for dollars.
You’ll learn how to:
Position yourself as a high-value strategic partner (not just task support)
Create income streams that build long-term business sustainability
Define your “Category-of-One” so you stand out in a saturated market
Step confidently intoindustry leadership—even if you’re just starting out
If you’re ready to elevate your brand, boost your income, and build a future-proof VA business, this session is for you.
Breanna Cain – Founder of VA Leadership Academy and ICON &Lightning VA Agency, she helps women build profitable VA businesses and standout category-of-one brands.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: How To Be A VA for Podcasters
SPEAKER: Dan R. Morris
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
With the podcasting industry booming, podcasters need more than just technical help—they need strategic support from Virtual Assistants who understand the unique demands of the medium. In this session, Dan R. Morris, full-time podcaster andfounder of Podcaster’s Kit, reveals how VAs can support podcast clients in meaningful and profitable ways.
You’ll discover:
Whatpodcasters actually need help with (beyond editing)
How to streamline their workflows and boost consistency
Opportunities to expand your VA services in a growing niche
Ways to make yourself indispensable to podcasting clients
Tips for finding and pitching podcast hosts who need your help
If you’re curious about supporting podcasters—or ready to niche down—this session will help you explore how to get started and stand out.
Dan R. Morris – Founder of Podcaster’s Kit, BC Stack, and Tracing The Path podcast, Dan has worked full-time online since 2013 alongside his wife, Rachel Marie Martin.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Stop Charging Hourly: Price with Confidence
SPEAKER: Debbie Rocket
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Still stuck trading time for money? Many VAs underprice their services, unintentionally capping their income and burning out in the process. In this session, Debbie Rocket shares how to confidently move away from hourly billingand start charging for the value you bring.
You’ll learn how to:
Shift from hourly rates to premium packages and retainers
Price your services strategically (without second-guessing yourself)
Attract aligned clients who appreciate your worth
Build income stability with recurring revenue
Avoid the most common pricing mistakes VAs make
If you’re ready to stop undervaluing your work and finally price like a pro, this session will give you the roadmap.
Debbie Rocket – Certified OBM® and founder of The ROCKET VA™ Academy, she trains VAs in strategy, systems, and branding to attract dream clients.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Future-Proof Your VA Business: Master the Skills Clients Actually Want
SPEAKER: Doreen DeJesus-Harper
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Clients’ needs are evolving—are your skills keeping up? In this forward-looking session, Doreen DeJesus-Harper shows you how to stay relevant, in-demand, and indispensable in today’s fast-changing online business world.
You’ll learn how to:
Identify high-demand skills clients are actively seeking
Upgrade and showcase your expertise with confidence
Anticipate market shifts to stay ahead of the curve
Position yourself as a long-term partner—not just a service provider
Whether you’re brand new ora seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your business and stay booked solid.
Doreen DeJesus-Harper – Coach and consultant empowering authors, speakers, and solopreneurs to scale with operational support, multimedia services, and growth-focused partnerships.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: The Coffee Shop Test: How to Create Content That Makes Clients Say “She Gets Me!”
SPEAKER: Gina Koran
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Tired of throwing content at the wall and hoping something sticks? In this down-to-earth (and highly caffeinated) session, Gina Koran shares how to stop overthinking your content and start connecting with the people who actually want to hire you.
You’ll learn how to:
Understand your audience beyond surface-level demographics
Find and use your authentic voice (quirks welcome!)
Create content that feels effortless, not forced
Avoid the clickbait trap and write content that builds trust
Pass the “coffee shop test” with content that sounds like you
Whether you’re writing for yourself or your clients, you’ll walk away with a clearer strategy and content that finally resonates.
Gina Koran – Air Force veteran and owner of GinAdmin and The Content Creation Hub, she shares coffee-fueled content strategies for small business owners.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Stand Out from the Crowd: Top Tips for Every Stage of Your VA Journey
SPEAKER: Gwen Backhouse
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
What makes a good Virtual Assistant truly great? In this tip-packed session, Gwen Backhouse shares practical insights from real VAs on what it takes to rise above the competition—no matter where you are in your business journey.
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate with confidence and clarity Expand and showcase in-demand skill sets Prioritize client security and trust Market yourself without feeling salesy Apply proven sales techniques that work
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, you’ll leave with fresh ideas (some you may not have heard before!) to help you shine in a crowded market. Gwen Backhouse – Award-winning VA and founder of Curlew Secretarial Solutions, with 12+ yearsin the VA industry and 24 years in administration.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Ignite, Attract, Repeat: The Simple Event Strategy to Win & Keep Clients All Year
SPEAKER: Heather D. Black
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
In a noisy online world, it takes more than great service to stay top-of-mind. In this session, Heather D. Black reveals how simple, strategic events can help you build trust, attract your ideal clients, and turn one-time projects into lasting partnerships.
You’ll learn how to:
Use events to showcase yourexpertise and attract right-fit clients
Collaborate with others to expand your reach
Plan repeatable, manageable events that keep you visible all year
Build a system that fuels growth—without burning out
Walk away with a clear plan to spark connection, strengthen loyalty, and grow your business with ease.
Heather D. Black – Event expert helping founders and speakers implement repeatable systems to host impactful events and scale without wasted effort.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: No List, No Leverage: How to Build the Asset That Pays You Forever
SPEAKER: Kathy Goughenour
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Think of your email list as your business’s ride-or-die. Social followers? They’re flaky. But your list? That’s the crew that sticks with you, buys from you, and fuels your freedom.
In this sassy, simple session, Kathy Goughenour will show you how to grow an engaged email list without burning out, breaking the bank, or boring your audience.
You’ll learn:
Why your list is your #1 business asset (and how to treat it like gold) Easy ways to attract subscribers whoactually want what you offer How to create leverage so you stop chasing clients and start choosing them If you’reready to build a business that pays you forever, it all starts with the right list.
Kathy Goughenour – Founder of Virtual Expert Training™, Kathy helps women build 6- and 7-figurebusinesses with flexibility, fun, and a touch of sparkle—all from her tiny home in the woods.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Boundaries by Design: Organizing Your Calendar, Clients, and Time
SPEAKER: Jylian Buitendyk
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Healthy boundaries aren’t one-size-fits-all—they’re custom-built to protect your time, energy, and sanity. In this session, Jylian Buitendyk shares how to set flexible yet firm boundaries across three critical areas: your calendar, your client communication, and your business systems.
You’ll learn how to:
Design a schedule that supports your energy and priorities
Set communication boundaries that feel clear—not cold
Use systems to automate boundary enforcement (without guilt)
Build a personalized “menu” of strategies you can adjust over time
Whether you’re overwhelmed by client demands or just need better structure, you’ll walk away with boundary tools that feel good—and actually work.
Jylian Buitendyk – Founder of Next Level Organized, she helps freelancers streamline systems, set boundaries, and build balanced, sustainable businesses.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Ctrl + AI + Create: Transform Your VA Services with AI-Powered Client Communication
SPEAKER: LaKesha Powell
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
What if you could cut your writing time by 75%—while making your emails, proposals, and marketing copy more compelling than ever? In this actionable session, LaKesha Powell reveals her 6-Component AI Framework that’s helped hundreds of service providers transform how they attract, convert, and retain clients.
You’ll learn howto:
Use AI to amplify your voice (not replace it)
Create persuasive client content in minutes, not hours
Build proposal and retention email templates that actually convert
Position yourself as a premium, go-to VA using AI-enhanced communication
If you’re ready to stand out, save time, and deepen client relationships, don’t miss this session.
LaKesha Powell – Founder of LuvenSmilez PBC, she’s pioneered AI-assisted content creation, teaching 1,000+ entrepreneurs her signature 6-Component Template method since 2015.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: How to Create an EASY New Revenue Stream With AI Podcast and Video Editing
SPEAKER: Lou Bortone
WHATYOU'LL LEARN:
Love organizing for clients? Now imagine helping them sound and look amazing, too. In this hands-on session, Lou Bortone shows you how to use simple AI tools to offerpodcast and video editing as a new high-value service—without tech overwhelm or fancy equipment.
You’ll learn how to:
Use AI to clean up audio and edit video like a pro
Repurpose long-form content into social-ready clips
Save hours with tools that simplify editing
Package and price this as a recurring revenue stream
If you can copy-paste, you can offer AI editing—and add a new income stream your clients are already asking for.
Lou Bortone – Known as “The Video Godfather,” Lou helps entrepreneurs use video and AI to grow their visibility, authority, and revenue with ease.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: The Client Magnet Method: Attract and Retain Clients Using Pinterest
SPEAKER: Missy Lund
WHAT YOU'LLLEARN:
Pinterest isn’t just for recipes—it’s a powerful platformwhere service providers can connect with people actively searching for support. In this session, Missy Lund shares a proven framework for using Pinterest to consistently attract and retain your ideal clients.
You’ll learn how to:
Understand client search behavior on Pinterest
Optimize your profile to build instant trust
Design pins that drive clicks, inquiries, and conversions
Stay visible for repeat work and referrals
Whether you’re building your roster or deepening client relationships, this session will show you how to make Pinterest a reliable and results-driven marketing tool.
Missy Lund – Pinterest MarketingSpecialist helping e-commerce brands, startups, and service providers grow traffic and visibility with conversion-focused strategies.
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05 November 2025 08 November 2025
TOPIC: Your Backend Systems Create Magic
SPEAKER: Shakila Booker
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Behind every thriving VA business is a foundation of backend systems that work like clockwork. In this session, Shakila Booker shows you how to design operationalworkflows that not only support you but impress your clients from day one.
You’ll learn how to:
Set up tools and processes for a smoother client journey
Streamline onboarding and offboarding with confidence
Build systems that help you attract and retain dream clients
Turn your backend into a growth engine (without burnout)
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your operations, this session will help you build a business that feels effortless—and magical.
Shakila Booker – Owner of SML Assisting and known as Your Business Nanny®, shehelps solopreneurs and event pros scale with strategic support and strong systems.
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12
AM
07 November 2025 11:00 PM 08 November 2025 12:00 AM
TOPIC: Six-Figure Scaling – Solo vs. Agency Models 101
SPEAKER: Laura Briggs
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Looking to scale your VA business but not sure which path to take? In this session, Laura Briggs breaks down the two most common growth models—solo vs. agency—and helps you decide which one fits your goals, work style, and vision.
Understand the Options: Explore the pros and cons of staying solo vs. building an agency.
Match Your Model to Your Mindset: Choose a growth path that aligns with your personality and goals.
Streamline for Success: Learn how to systematize your business no matter which model you choose.
Take Action with Confidence: Walk away with practical tips and best practices from someone who’s done both.
If you’re ready to grow but want clarity on how, this session will point you in the right direction.
Laura Briggs – Author of five books, including Six Figure Freelancer, and 3-time TEDx speaker, freelancing since 2012.
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9
PM
08 November 2025 09:00 PM 10:00 PM
TOPIC: Summit Wrap-Up: One Last Sip Before Your #VAVS Hangover
SPEAKER: Tawnya Sutherland
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
After three action-packed days of learning, networking, and aha moments… you might be feeling a little #VAVS Hangover. 😉
So grab your drink of choice—coffee, tea, mimosa, or something stronger—and join host Tawnya Sutherland for our final live session to wrapup the Summit and map out what’s next.
During this casual (but helpful!) wrap-up, you’ll:
Reflect on your favorite sessions and biggest takeaways
Get answers to any lingering questions
Hear tips on putting your new knowledge into action
Learn how to stay connected with our VANA community
Discover your next steps to keep building momentum
(Plus a few surprises… you know us!)
Whether you made every session or only caught a few, this is your chance to come full circle and leave feeling focused and inspired.
Let’s shake off that VAVS hangover and head into October with a solid plan. See you there!
Tawnya Sutherland is a pioneering force in the virtual assistance industry, having founded Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) to support and empower VAs since 2003.
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