Horkey HQ: Recent Episodes
Horkey HandBook
Horkey HQ is an entrepreneurship podcast hosted by a virtual assistant turned 7-figure business owner (that's me!) who interviews successful peers and previous students that are killing it online.
We got the opportunity to chat with Taylor, a Virtual Assistant and a student of our #FullyBookedVA System! Taylor is a licensed nurse and holistic health and mental health advocate. She is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs reach their fullest potential and has helped multiple women grow their businesses through social media and administration.
Fun Fact: Taylor has a red-haired Doberman that matches her red hair!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Are you brand new to online business and virtual assistance? In this episode, Gina coaches Taylor on how to look for the right type of client and how to pitch them with little to no experience. If you’re just getting started or have been frustrated with pitching and landing clients, this episode is for you.
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Taylor on LinkedIn.
The #FullyBookedVA System
Highlights:
4:09 – Taylor’s services and Gina’s prospecting strategy
13:40 – How to sell yourself and have a good time
19:47 – Types of clients and how to land them with no experience
30:02 – The one thing you need so that the rest will grow with you
We got the opportunity to chat with Donna, a Virtual Assistant and a student of our #FullyBookedVA System! Donna is a passionate, hard-working, dedicated professional who enjoys helping business owners succeed. She has many years of experience in the creative industry, which has helped her sharpen her skills in problem-solving, project management, quality communication and has made her keen on the details.
Fun Fact: Donna is a first-generation American on her mother's side.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Have you ever wanted to change careers but really haven’t figured out how or what? Have you been with your career for five, ten, or even twenty years and felt as though it’s too late to switch now? Donna gives us the deets on how she transitioned to owning her own online business after over 20 years in the same career.
Her business is growing and she’s loving every minute of it! Find out how she did it and where she’s going from here.
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Donna on LinkedIn.
The #FullyBookedVA System
Highlights:
0:36 – Donna’s intro into the world of online business and landing her first clients
6:56 – Offering services online and niching down
11:01 – A growing business and nowhere to go but up
17:42 – Gina coaches on marketing and prospecting clients
27:55 – There are so many tools out there - Gina’s take on which ones to learn
Here at Horkey HQ we had the opportunity to chat with Jill Mohler, a Virtual Assistant and a student of our #FullyBookedVA System!
Jill is a native Ohioan and also a resident of South Florida for over 30 years. She served in the Ohio Air National Guard for 8 years, then married, moved to Florida, had 2 kids, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Sales and Marketing.
Like most people, when COVID-19 reared its ugly head, her hours and pay were reduced dramatically, which lead to her decision to start her very own online business.
Jill is super-charged (and maybe a bit obsessive) about health and fitness; she loves animals, especially dogs (her puppy's name is Daisy); and her favorite breakfast is eggs over easy with avocado.
Fun Fact: Jill served in the military for 8 years!
Why should YOU tune-in?
If you’re new to the world of online business but you’re worried about the newbie stage of having little to no “experience,” this episode is for you! Gina schools us on mindset and how to start landing clients even before gaining more experience.
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Jill on LinkedIn.
The #FullyBookedVA System
Starter Story: $790K/Year Virtual Assistant Business
Highlights:
0:00 – Intro
2:07 – Jill’s journey
7:30 – What this journey has taught Jill about herself
11:34 – Defining B2B writing and the services Jill offers
21:15 – Pitching can be scary
25:48 – Pitching doesn’t have to be scary
35:02 – Mindset equals success
36:44 – Let’s talk finances
Episode 32 is a conversation with Krystal Trotter, a Virtual Assistant and a student of our #FullyBookedVA System! Krystal is a wife and mother of a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old. She’s a stay-at-home mom who’s been freelancing for about a year and recently decided to go all in! She has a passion to grow her business and we’re helping her figure out the “how” as she goes along. Why should YOU tune-in?
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work online or start your own business, this episode is for you. The hardest part about having your own successful business is getting started. In this episode you’ll hear some valuable pitch and prospecting coaching from Gina!
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Krystal on her Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The #FullyBookedVA System
Highlights:
0:00 – Intro
2:06 – How Krystal went from teaching to starting her own online business
7:02 – Figuring out what services to offer as a virtual assistant
7:43 – Gina’s advice in pitching current clients
10:30 – Trial periods and test projects are great for the experience
11:50 – What success looks like for Krystal
14:45 – Gina’s advice for niching down
17:13 – Gina coaches on recovering from mistakes and how to find more clients
32:14 – Krystal’s one piece of advice
This is the first episode of the NEW SEASON of the Horkey HQ episode after the birth of Hazel Mae Horkey! We got the opportunity to chat with Natalie Matestic, a Virtual Assistant and a student of our #FullyBookedVA System!. From renowned influencers to amazing business owners, Natlie has worked with a wide range of clients over the past 4+ years that she has been in business! She’s definitely an overachiever in that she started and ran her business while still at university!
Not letting the books slow her down, Natlie was able to take her business full-time and deliver unbelievable results to her clients’ businesses.
Fun Fact: Natalie is a concert junkie, which means she’s been to over 100 concerts! She’s also obsessed with everything 70s and Cher.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Do you know what it takes to start and scale an online business? (Hint, it isn’t a masters degree or a ton of money.) Natalie teaches a really valuable lesson that can only be learned by putting yourself out there for hire. She also received some really valuable 1-on-1 coaching from Gina that will help anyone pursuing success online.
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find Natlie on her Website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The #FullyBookedVA System
Highlights:
0:00 – Intro
2:05 – Natalie’s favorite concerts
3:32 – How and why Natalie got into the online business
5:33 – How much Natalie charged versus how much she charges now
8:33 – From full-time work to being a #FullyBooked business owner
11:44 – The details about how Natalie found her clients
18:01 – Gina coaches on Client Retention
27:51 – Gina coaches on how to continue marketing even when your client roster is full
37:10 – Gina coaches on scaling your Virtual Assistant business
39:06 – Natalie’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Alexis Grant.
Alexis (Lexi) is a media innovator with a passion for building online businesses and growing audiences. She started her career as a reporter at the Houston Chronicle and U.S. News & World Report, then grew a content marketing agency. After five years, that business was acquired in 2015 by a media company called The Penny Hoarder.
Alexis joined as the third employee and worked alongside the founder as EVP of Content to grow the company to 100+ employees. She left that role in 2019 for a less stressful lifestyle and moved her family to a mountain town in West Virginia. Alexis now helps startups scale their writing team in a consulting capacity while running several online businesses, including a website for writers, The Write Life. Her next venture has an in-person angle (COVID permitting): she’s organizing deep think getaways or “workcations” for professional women.
Fun fact: Lexi backpacked solo through French-speaking Africa in 2008. This is when she first got into blogging!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Alexis knows exactly what makes a freelance writer marketable, she’s the one doing the hiring for startups! So what is it that separates a writer from the rest of the crowd? Listen in as Alexis lets us know!
What we’re talking about:
- Freelance writing and working online
- Skills trump education
- Multipassionate entrepreneur
- What makes someone marketable
- A simple way to build apps and websites
Links mentioned in this episode:
Alexis’ Websites: Alexis Grant, Retreat & Create, & The Write Life
The Money Guide for Freelance Writers Book
Alexis’ Social Media: LinkedIn & Instagram
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
3:24 – Journalism degree?
4:58 – Do you need a degree? What Alexis looks for when hiring a freelance writer
9:27 – Alexis is passionate about her current work
13:16 – She also just finished a passion project with her dad
15:36 – Thoughts on the work-life balance
19:14 – Retreat & Create: a brand new concept
23:04 – Alexis built an app (easily)!
30:39 – What else is Alexis passionate about?
34:37 – Alexis’ one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Nick Loper.
Nick helps people earn money outside of their day job. He's an author, online entrepreneur, and host of the award-winning Side Hustle Show podcast, which features new part-time business ideas each week. As Chief Side Hustler at SideHustleNation.com, he loves deconstructing the tactics and strategies behind building extra income streams.
Fun fact: Nick married his high school sweetheart (10 years later at a secret city hall wedding)!
Why should YOU tune-in?
This online entrepreneur absolutely loves what he does. In fact, his goal isn’t to work the least amount of hours possible, but to do what he loves. And guess what? He’s doing it! Find out how Nick’s made his passions into income streams.
What we’re talking about:
- How online businesses make money
- Working from home and parenting at the same time
- Podcast production and effectiveness
- Productivity and prioritization
- Getting paid actual money for your online services
- Starting rates
Links mentioned in this episode:
Side Hustle Nation
SHN FB Group
Nick’s Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest
Side Hustle Ideas
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:42 – How Nick explains to friends and family what it is that he does for a living
10:20 – Brick-and-mortar or online business?
15:16 – Working from home and parenting
18:46 – Podcast production
25:02 – You won’t be a professional without experience
30:34 – How the Side Hustle Nation podcast makes money
37:03 – What’s next for Nick
47:07 – Where Nick started and if his degree was necessary to become an online business owner
50:57 – Kids and college, is it worth it?
59:14 – Nick’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Brennan Dunn.
Brennan is the founder of Double Your Freelancing and has taught over 50,000 freelancers and agencies how to earn more money working with better clients. He’s also the co-founder of RightMessage, a software company that helps bring on-site personalization to the masses.
Fun fact: Brennan has his pilot's license and also owns a small prop plane.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Do you really know your audience? Businesses invest so much in content marketing and creating opt-ins that convert. BUT, if you don’t REALLY know who your audience is, you might just be spinning your wheels. Find out how Brennan has optimized and automated these aspects of his business.
What we’re talking about:
- Online courses
- Onsite personalization
- Positioning and target markets
- Content marketing
- Email list building and opt-ins
- Virtual assistants
Links mentioned in this episode:
Brennan’s Websites: Double Your Freelancing & Right Message
Brennan’s Twitter
ConvertKit Course
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:27 – How Brennan explains to friends and family what it is that he does for a living
3:15 – Brennan has multiple online businesses
8:50 – Right Message
17:14 – Creating more effective opt-ins
21:15 – Areas that a virtual assistant could improve the onsite personalization process
28:52 – Brennan knows a lot of big name people
32:06 – Corporate experiences
35:21 – Big needs that virtual assistants can help with
41:55 – What’s next for Brennan?
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful virtual assistant, Debora Cavett.
Debora helps small, women-owned businesses get to the next level with Social Media Management, Content Creation (for their blogs and newsletters) and other Admin Tasks. Her mission is to give you valuable time and energy back to enjoy life at its fullest!
Fun fact: Debora’s originally from Switzerland but didn't get a single response when pitching clients in German – only Americans wanted to hire her!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Ever doubt whether or not this whole online business thing is the real deal or if you could actually find success? This ROCKSTAR entrepreneur almost threw in the towel after just a month or two of starting out. What a shame it would have been if she had because, after just two years Debora is making $9,000 a month and she’s never going back!
What we’re talking about:
- Becoming a virtual assistant
- Pitching, following up, and landing clients
- Choosing what services you offer online
- Niching down
- Email management and customer service are in high demand
- Leaving your day job to go full-time with your online business
- Hiring team members
Links mentioned in this episode:
Debora’s Website
Debora’s Social: Instagram & Facebook
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:23 – How Debora found out about Horkey HandBook and got started as a Virtual Assistant
6:26 – Where Debora found and her clients
7:11 – Do you have to be from the US to be successful? Nope!
9:50 – How Debora decided on the services she offers
13:00 – Customer services or email management?
14:08 – A big win for Debora
16:14 – A typical day
19:53 – So, how much can you actually make with an online business?
21:13 – Why Debora hired a virtual assistant to help with her business
22:51 – Debora ALMOST threw in the towel
25:03 – What’s next?
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Erika Schanzenbach.
Erika lives and works in the hills of southwest Virginia. She leaves her mark on the world by helping the creators, builders, and makers of things do their work better.
She has a knack for DESIGN and ORGANIZATION that makes her a valuable partner to online business owners and high-caliber course creators who need quality branded course materials and lead magnets to serve their audience.
Fun fact: Erika is a pie contest winner. The making pie kind, not the eating pie kind.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Three years ago, Erika was introduced to Horkey HandBook and the world of online business.
She didn’t decide to slowly build her business over time like so many people. Nope, she went from introduction to going all in and managed to quickly build a successful business. Listen in as she shares her experience.
What we’re talking about:
- Get paid to learn as a virtual assistant
- Business email accounts and management
- Workspace
- Online business means freedom of lifestyle and choice
- How to land clients and find work online
Links mentioned in this episode:
Erika’s website
Erika’s Facebook & LinkedIn
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
3:01 – Learning experiences, not failure
5:31 – Erika chose niches that she didn’t even know you could get paid for
7:35 – How Erika came across the world of online work
11:28 – How long it took Erika to work her way through the course and land her first client
17:14 – What Erika’s business looks like now
21:24 – How many clients Erika works with
22:18 – Pricing and packaging your online services
25:23 – How Erika has successfully landed clients
28:15 – The income report
30:24 – How many hours Erika actually works
31:13 – Productivity tips
35:47 – A big win for Erika
39:44 – Erika’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Patrick Frank.
Patrick is an award-winning video producer and is the founder of Edit Video Calls, a service that turns everyday Zoom conversations into shareable videos for marketing and training.
Patrick's goal is to make the video production process faster and cheaper. He's on a mission to help coaches and consultants recognize the new content marketing opportunities created from the Zoom Revolution.
Fun fact: Patrick’s a drummer and marched in the drumline at the University of Michigan where he played in 2 Rose Bowls!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Want to learn some video pitching tips from a pro? Thought so! This episode is full of tips to help you CRUSH your next video pitch and land a client, or three!
What we’re talking about:
- Entrepreneurial lifestyle and bigger families
- The recession and career changes
- Turning your employer into your client
- Outreach and landing clients
- Service packaging
- Video pitching and landing clients
- Descript
- Measuring the success of a podcast
- Repurposing or “up-cycling” content
Links mentioned in this episode:
Patrick’s website
Patrick’s Social: Twitter Facebook
Descript
HelloBackrounds
PodReacher
Podcast Production School
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:14 – How Patrick explains to friends and family what it is that he does for a living
4:54 – Transitioning from corporate America to online business
9:27 – How to connect with and land clients
12:37 – Patrick is the go-to Zoom guy
28:18 – The video app that changed Pat’s life this year
31:10 – Patrick’s video pitching tips
37:47 – How Patrick prepares for a Zoom call
42:11 – Repurposing content
46:07 – Why YOU should give video production a shot
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful writer, brand consultant and online entrepreneur, Austin L. Church.
After finishing his M.A. in Literature in 2008 and getting laid off from a marketing agency in 2009, Austin started freelancing. He got into iOS and Android apps and eventually sold his portfolio of 30+ apps.
In 2013 he co-founded a tech startup called Closeup.fm (touring, ticketing and communication software for performing artists). In 2018 he co-founded a branding and marketing studio called Balernum.
When Austin isn't helping online creators and entrepreneurs build real brands and make a positive impact, he teaches freelancers and consultants how to attract high-paying clients and earn six figures. Austin, his wife Megan, and their three children live in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Fun fact: Austin’s guilty pleasure is fantasy fiction – he loses all control and can't stop reading.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Knocking out norms can be tough as you take the road less traveled. The world of online business comes with its own obstacles, yet the heaviest weight is baggage we try to bring. Tune-in to find out how Austin broke through his own barriers and built a business that allowed him to focus on what really matters most.
What we’re talking about:
- Overcoming anxiety
- Making decisions
- Mindset and strategy
- Imposter Syndrome
- Branding isn’t just a logo
- Why you should be honest about your brand
- “Professionalism” versus authority
- Defining success
Links mentioned in this episode:
Austin’s Websites: Austin L Church, Freelance Cake, Balernum
Austin’s Social: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter
Shoe Dog (book)
FutureMe.org
Branding Mistakes blog post
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
5:28 – Austin’s breakthrough with anxiety
18:52 – Mindset is everything
26:03 – How Austin explains to friends and family what it is that he does for a living
38:11 – What professionalism looks like
46:54 – An embarrassing time for Gina and how she met Austin
49:18 – Toxic clients
54:22 – Austin talks about ideas for a future podcast show
58:03 – Define what success means to you
1:04:00 – Austin’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur and business coach, James Schramko.
James is the author of a FABULOUS book, Work Less, Make More, a very effective coach to smart online business people (including myself!) and he used to be in charge of a Mercedes-Benz dealership, claiming the #1 salesperson slot in Australia.
Fun facts: James came in 2nd in the world titles for sailing in the 18 foot Skiff class AND used to be an actor!
Why should YOU tune-in?
From car dealer to ‘super’ entrepreneur, find out how James built his online business and incredible life. If you’re new to online business or already a seasoned vet., James has some SUPER valuable advice for you in this episode of Horkey HQ.
What we’re talking about:
- Single-point sensitive
- When to leave your day job
- Affiliate marketing
- Creating safety nets in your online business
- The Effective Hourly Rate
- The truth about making an incredible life
- The Revenue Share Model
- Deconstructing mindsets that hinder success
Links mentioned in this episode:
James' website
James.co
James' Book
James on Instagram
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:05 – James used to be an actor!
2:50 – How James explains his online business to people
3:25 – James shares his journey to the online world
15:54 – Don’t pull the trigger on leaving your current income stream too early
22:29 – You don’t have to take a pay cut
26:03 – The Effective Hourly Rate
27:32 – How James got to where he is now
28:29 – 30 Day Challenge
33:49 – James’ business partnerships
38:47 – Advice
42:10 – Deconstructing lies we all believe to achieve the life you want
45:32 – Gina’s personal question for James
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Joe Dyton.
Joe is the founder and president of Dyton Writing & Editing, a content creation and editing company. He’s been working as a full-time freelance writer since 2016, but Joe’s journalism career started in 1999 when he was hired as a part-time sports desk clerk. Joe eventually got to actually cover games and was promoted to a full-time position during his junior year of college! He’s stayed in writing jobs ever since.
Joe started freelance writing on the side in 2010. After picking up enough clients, he left the 9 to 5 behind in 2016 and is making a full-time income writing from the comfort of his own home. Some of Joe’s clients include Connected Real Estate Magazine, Student Loan Planner, Credit Karma and GEICO.
Fun fact: Joe is a McDonald's Monopoly game-winner! Not a fake winner like the people featured in that "McMillions" documentary either. When he was in high school, Joe’s brother's soda cup had an "instant winner" piece on it for a cruise. So, Joe, his parents and brother went.
Why should YOU tune-in?
From being trapped in the corporate grind to taking on passion projects and investing in himself, Joe takes us through the why and how he’s found success online. Tune in to hear his awesome story!
What we’re talking about:
- Freelance writing
- The best paying freelance writing niches
- The Profit First Formula
- The freedom and flexibility of online business
- Freelance writing income
- Passion projects and investing in yourself
- How to find freelance writing clients on LinkedIn
- Financial goals and lifestyle
Links mentioned in this episode:
Joe's Freelance Coaching Website
Joe's Facebook Page
Joe's Twitter
Profit First book
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:10 – How Joe describes what he does for a living
5:50 – What types of clients Joe pitched initially
10:15 – Joe’s day looks a lot different as an online business owner
13:16 – The income differential between Joe’s corporate job and his first year working online
18:15 – Joe’s big vision for business
19:50 – Advice to someone new to online business
21:12 – Joe’s passion projects
26:00 – Why Joe didn’t invest time in his passions when he worked in corporate America
26:59 – How many hours does Joe work a week? What does his schedule look like?
28:00 – A big win for a Joe and his turning point
29:58 – Challenges that come with freelance writing
32:34 – Joe’s worst pay as a freelance writer
33:39 – Where Joe has found his best clients and how much time he spends finding new clients
38:30 – Joe has got some good questions for Gina
47:44 – Joe’s one piece of advice for those starting their freelance writing journey
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Cody Berman.
Cody is a co-founder of Gold City Ventures. He is also a co-founder of The Financial Freedom Summit, owner of Fly to FI and co-host of The FI Show.
He left his corporate banking job at age 22 to pursue entrepreneurship full time and now teaches others how to do the same. When he’s not talking about side hustling and personal finance, Cody enjoys travel, weightlifting and playing sports.
Fun fact: Cody lived in Australia for 6 months, used to rap and sing (quite prolifically) and started his first side hustle when he was just 10!
Why should YOU tune-in?
This guy absolutely LOVES figuring out all of the different ways he can make money online. From disc golf to Etsy printables, Cody has done it all and he hasn’t let failure or fear keep him from success.
What we’re talking about:
- Investment properties
- Corporate banking
- Frugal living
- Disc golf
- Side hustling and online business
- Etsy eprintables
- Starting an online business without any experience
- SEO and ads
- Sponsors on podcast
- Networking
Links mentioned in this episode:
Cody’s Websites: Gold City Ventures, The FI Show, Financial Freedom Summit, Fly to FI, Arsenal Discs
Cody’s Social: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
EPrintables Course
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:17 – How Cody explains to friends and family what he does for a living
6:48 – Why did Cody start a financial blog?
7:48 – How people retire in their early 30s
11:11 – Leaving lucrative corporate banking for side hustling online
14:25 – Cody wanted to retire in his 30s, but now he’s focus on financial freedom
21:18 – How Cody got into eprintables
28:06 – Earning easy passive income and creating an eprintables course
32:35 – The Financial Freedom Summit
41:38 – Aaand It was canceled. So what now?
45:18 – Cody’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Alyssa Lang.
Alyssa, aka the Workflow Queen, teaches bookkeepers and accountants how to utilize tech and automation to create better workflows, systems and processes. As a result they can run their practices on autopilot, stress less and save time!
After being in the accounting world for five years, Alyssa struggled with streamlining her practice. She felt frustrated and nervous and couldn't sleep at night not knowing where her client work would come from. She was overwhelmed by all the daily tasks, lost track of work and just couldn't keep up.
Alyssa hit a wall and decided to make a change, so she started to automate her practice by creating workflows, systems and processes. She was then able to run her practice and take on more clients, scale and provide excellent service in the process!
These days Alyssa’s a full-time educator. She’s also an Asana Certified Pro and her courses and resources have helped hundreds of bookkeepers and accountants worldwide!
Fun fact: Alyssa's a certified skydiver and has an obsession with great white sharks – eek!
Why should YOU tune-in?
This is the first red-haired, tattooed, sky-diving bookkeeper you’ll ever meet and she runs not one, but two online businesses. With such success you might be tempted to think that she’s got a special gift or a lot of luck, but Alyssa assures us that she’s a normal person just like anyone else. In fact, she started her business while she was still bartending and trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she “grows up!”
What we’re talking about:
- Workflow, project management and automation
- The Profit First formula
- The resistance factor
- Time blocking
- Investing in yourself
- Bookkeeping versus tax prep
- Subcontractors versus employees
- Imposter syndrome
- Repurposing content
Links mentioned in this episode:
Alyssa's website
Alyssa on Instagram
Alyssa's Kickoff With Asana course
Profit First
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:09 – How Alyssa explains to friends and family what it is she does for a living
3:14 – What is project management and workflow?
4:20 – What is automation and why is it important in any business?
6:21 – Those “ah ha” moments people experience in Alyssa’s course
8:18 – How Alyssa gets her students to bust through their own roadblocks
12:09 – The Profit First formula
14:44 – When you always feel like you’re running behind
17:19 – Bartending, changing majors and an online bookkeeping business
23:01 – Hiring your first virtual assistant
24:17 – Alyssa loves contractors and needs an employee
30:31 – The difference between being a solopreneur and having your own business
36:25 – How do you get through those periods of imposter syndrome?
42:27 – How much money does Alyssa’s business really make?
46:24 – What’s next?
48:38 – Gina’s repurposing content strategy
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Carrie Smith Nicholson.
Since 2011 Carrie has been a full-time blogger who started her business as a freelance writer and virtual assistant. She owns multiple niche websites, manages virtual teams for clients and co-hosts a travel podcast.
Carrie knows, inside and out, the productivity tips and systems it takes to launch, grow and succeed in today’s digital marketing world.
In 2018 she sold her finance blog, CarefulCents.com, for nearly six figures. She details the process in her book, The Ultimate Guide to Selling a Blog: How to sell your blog for six figures and be your own broker, which is available on Amazon.
Fun fact: Carrie is a super computer game nerd and sometimes says things as if she's typing them in a game – people have no idea what she's actually saying!
Why should YOU tune-in?
From personal finance to travel and essential oils, this rockstar knows everything there is to know about creating, buying and selling a blog. Listen in as she shares experiences and advice about how you can start your own successful online business.
What we’re talking about:
- The Profit First formula
- The transition from employed to entrepreneur
- Self-employment finances and expenses
- Freelance writing
- SEO and retargeting due to COVID
- Selling and purchasing websites and blogs
- Buying a site vs starting it from scratch
Links mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Website
Carrie’s Instagram
Carrie’s Book
Profit First
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:44 – How Carrie and Gina first met
5:20 – How long has it been since you owned and operated your website?
5:59 – Why did you start CarefulCents.com in 2010 and what came first, the side hustle or the blog?
7:34 – Did you have any experience in personal finance?
8:20 – The Profit First formula
11:38 – At what point did this personal blog turn into a business?
14:04 – The first dollar from CarefulCents that wasn’t correlated with freelance writing
17:10 – The tavel niche got hit hard by COVID
20:12 – What did the process look like when it came to selling your blog?
27:40 – All the blogs and businesses Carrie owns
33:55 – What’s next for Carrie
39:31 – Essential oils
41:33 – Where Carrie bought her latest site
42:59 – Why Carrie decided to buy a site instead of starting from scratch
46:47 – Carrie’s ideal clients and how she helps them
51:41 – Carrie’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Jimmy Rose.
Jimmy is the co-founder of Content Snare – a software platform that helps professionals collect content and files from clients.
Previously an automation engineer, his new priority is to help business owners regain their lives, be more productive and get more done in less time.
Fun fact: You can usually find Jimmy riding around on one of his three electric skateboards – it’s his favorite way to get around town!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Many have the perspective that you need a master plan or have a ton of luck to make it big online. That’s totally not the case. Find out how Jimmy went from a 9-5 engineering career to side hustling and transitioning to a full-time online business. BONUS!... You’ll learn some productivity hacks along the way.
What we’re talking about:
- What it’s like to go from engineer to online business owner
- Working full-time online
- What is Zapier and why are businesses using it?
- All-in-one tools vs specialty tools
- Productivity hacks
- Workflows and productivity
- Voice typing, text expander and daily theming
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Jimmy’s Websites: JimmyRose and ContentSnare
- Social: YouTube Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
- Zapier Mastery Course
- Text Expander video
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:39 – How Jimmy explains to friends and family what he does for a living
3:41 – Shifting from engineering to the online world
7:41 – How Jimmy makes money online and where his income comes from
8:37 – What is Zapier?
18:35 – The productivity side of Jimmy’s business
20:41 – Productivity hacks
28:00 – The main social platforms for Jimmy’s business
31:25 – What’s next?
35:15 – Jimmy’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful strategic business coach, Stephanie Hayes.
Stephanie has been working with successful entrepreneurs and small businesses for over 20 years, and her focus is on helping them figure out what’s next when the path isn’t exactly clear. Stephanie helps create a business model that works and a plan to get to the next level of growth so business owners can become more profitable and do the work they really want to do.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Stephanie and I have some very exciting news that we’ve been anxiously waiting to reveal – there are some BIG changes happening here at Horkey HandBook. Tune-in to get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming in 2021!
What we’re talking about:
- The evolution of the virtual assistant industry
- Gina’s journey from side hustle to revolutionary course creator and VA pioneer
- No one has it all figured out
- Business plan vs. taking action
- Being a multi-passionate entrepreneur
- Tech and systems
- Build an online business using skills you already have
- What’s next for the virtual assistant industry?
- Community support equals success
Links mentioned in this episode:
#FullyBookedVA System: fullybookedva.com/join
Stephanie’s Website: stephaniehayes.biz
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:13 – This podcast episode is a little special
1:42 – What’s next for Gina: The evolution of the VA industry
3:40 – Gina’s journey and the evolution of her online business
5:33 – No one starts with a master plan... Get started before you’re ready
9:55 – Multi-passionate entrepreneur and specialist
14:37 – Trusting your gut with what’s right for you
17:52 – Going from no tech to the most tech savvy
23:57 – How Gina met Stephanie
25:36 – How Stephanie is helping Gina become the leader of the VA industry
28:42 – Remote work is now the norm
34:25 – How people begin the online business journey
36:01 – #FullyBookedVA leads and updates
41:54 – Final exam and certification
42:38 – Skills courses
43:28 – What about freelance writing?
44:43 – Lead tracks
47:19 – MORE LEADS
51:21 – Specialization tracks and scaling
55:42 – There isn’t anything else out there like The #FullyBookedVA System
58:26 – Sharing what does and doesn’t work from experienced online entrepreneurs
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer and fitness junkie, Nikita Ross.
Nikita is a professional ghostwriter and content marketer who lives and breathes fitness. She’s also a Precision Nutrition Level One certified nutrition coach, ACE-certified personal trainer, WPC powerlifting judge, owner of Strong in Body, Strong in Mind and co-founder of 4 Girls Strength.
Nikita has hands-on experience in competitive strength and endurance sports from both the business and competitor perspective. She helps fitness-focused businesses connect with clients and fitness enthusiasts “love themselves healthy.”
Fun fact: The driving force behind becoming a freelancer for Nikita was that Tuesdays are beach days. She spends every Tuesday during summer on the beach – it's even written into her business’s mission statement!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Fueled by a desire for flexibility and control over when she works and who she works with, this mompreneur is able to do what she loves in business and in her personal life. Find out exactly what Nikita did to get started and create a successful freelance business.
What we’re talking about:
- Freelance writing and SEO
- Niching down
- The pandemic and online business
- Businesses shifting online
- Content marketing
- Rates and income
- Perks of owning your own online business
- Where and how to find clients
- Social media for virtual assistants
Links mentioned in this episode:
Nikita's website
Nikita on Instagram
30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success (coming soon under #FullyBookedVA)
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:32 – How Nikita explains to friends and family what she does for a living
2:37 – Nikita’s fitness background
5:30 – How COVID has affected Nikita’s freelance business
9:26 – SEO plays an important role as a writer
11:40 – Nikita’s current rates as a freelance writer
16:28 – Nikita’s work schedule and her typical week
21:48 – Truly enjoying the perks of working online and owning your own business
24:18 – How to land clients: the numbers game
28:32 – How much Nikita actually makes
31:59 – Nikita’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful virtual assistant, Rachel Severns.
Rachel is the savvy ally you need to transform utter chaos into divine organization. She’s passionate about helping small businesses bridge the gap between their initial success and the soaring success they dream about.
Expertly navigating the Gmail platform gives Rachel ninja status when it comes to your inbox, and she excels at turning dissatisfied customers into raving fans.
Mom to “Irish triplets” and a military wife, Rachel loves family time, Yoga sessions and traveling.
Fun fact: Rachel lives in Alaska and eats wild Alaskan salmon twice a week because her husband is an avid fisherman – umm, jealous!
Why should YOU tune-in?
This military spouse and mama wanted to get herself back into the job market and use her brain in a new capacity. She found Horkey HandBook and now makes $2,500/month working 20 hours per week. Her family uses that income to make upgrades to their home and travel whenever they want!
How did this savvy mom get into the online business? Find out on this episode of the Horkey HQ Podcast.
What we’re talking about:
- Losing confidence after being a stay at home mom
- Email and operations management
- Streamlining and pivoting an online business
- Building a virtual assistant agency
- Business expenses and overhead for an online business
- Choosing your niche
- Getting started as a virtual assistant
- Customer service tools
Links mentioned in this episode:
Rachel’s Website
Rachel’s Facebook
30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success (Fully Booked VA)
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:01 – Rachel lives in Alaska! What’s that like?
3:23 – Rachel’s career history and journey into the world of being a virtual assistant
7:40 – How Rachel landed her first client and what she did for them
8:45 – What Rachel’s business looks like today
11:22 – Will Rachel start a virtual assistant agency?
13:17 – How many hours Rachel works and her income
15:19 – What Rachel spends money on
18:21 – Why Rachel invested in 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success
22:00 – Why Rachel chose email management and customer service in the first place
28:30 – Did Rachel try any other virtual assistant programs?
30:41 – Rachel’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Lisa Tanner.
As a homeschooling mom of nine, Lisa Tanner grew her freelance writing business to support her large family as the sole breadwinner. When she's not working on writing projects for clients, she loves helping other moms tame the chaos and free up their brainpower to create life-changing businesses of their own.
Fun fact: Lisa’s family has about 150 board games in their collection and love playing games as a family. She’s kind of a board game junkie!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Think you don’t have enough time to build your side hustle or full-time online business? Think again! Tune in to find out how this mom and homeschool teacher of nine brings home the bacon doing what she enjoys while not taking time away from her family.
What we’re talking about:
- Homeschool tips
- Freelance writing, niches and writing topics
- Writing reviews for Amazon products
- Virtual Assistant work
- Meal prepping a month and a year in advance
- Freeing up thought power
- Children’s career and education paths
- Annual meal plans and year-long chore assignments
Links mentioned in this episode:
Lisa's Website
Lisa’s Facebook
30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success
Balancing Diapers & Deadlines course
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
4:46 – How Lisa began her freelance writing journey
6:17 – What Lisa writes about
7:52 – Services Lisa offers as a Virtual Assistant
8:35 – A multitude of kids and multiple websites, how does Lisa manage it all?
12:56 – Lisa’s online course Balancing Diapers and Deadlines
16:29 – Why Lisa’s husband quit his job
18:22 – Lisa’s daughter started a graphic design business!
19:22 – College plans for nine kids
20:54 – What Lisa teaches in Diapers and Deadlines
23:18 – Allowances and one-year chore assignments
24:40 – Self-care secrets with such a busy life and big family
28:47 – How much Lisa makes and how much effort she puts in
32:06 – Lisa’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful virtual assistant and online entrepreneur, Tara Reid.
Tara first launched in the online business world in 2007 as a handmade jewelry artist and grew that business to a 6-figure brand. Through her love of marketing and helping others, she naturally transitioned to being a virtual assistant supporting other entrepreneurs taking their businesses to the next level. These days Tara is a full-time Pinterest Manager for dozens of clients!
Fun Fact: Tara is TERRIFIED of frogs!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Have you ever heard of an introverted entrepreneur? They’re definitely out there! And this one has made her own way in the online world doing what she loves doing. Who says that entrepreneurs need to be socialites?
What we’re talking about:
- Pinterest is the BEST for business
- Selling an online business
- Burnout, it’s contributing factors and how to avoid it
- Virtual Assistants hiring other Virtual Assistants
- Some pros, cons and learning experiences of growing a team
- Giving up control is hard, but hiring a business manager is helpful
- The who, what, when and where of pitching
- Investing in yourself and doing what you enjoy
Links mentioned in this episode:
Tara’s Website
SM Template Shop
Become a Pinterest VA TODAY! program
Make Money as a Podcast Producer book
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:49 – How Tara explains to friends and family what it is that she does for a living
3:20 – Tara’s first step into the career world
7:53 – How Tara sold her online jewelry business
10:35 – Getting started with VA services
11:52 – Different kinds of work and habits that contribute to burnout
13:11 – The pros, cons and learning experiences of growing a team
15:46 – Tara’s other business pivot: developing graphic design templates for social media
17:58 – Landing that first client
19:18 – Developing an audience
20:52 – Finding more clients and constructing your pitches
24:00 – What did Tara do with all the money she made selling her jewelry business?
25:16 – Tara’s income report
27:11 – What’s next for Tara?
28:28 – Tara’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful virtual assistant turned agency owner, Mallory Underwood.
Mallory spent 12 years working in the nonprofit sector before pursuing her business, More You, full-time. More You is venturing into its third year and has transitioned from a solo virtual assistant practice to a team of five online business managers in an agency format. They’ve served over 20 businesses to-date.
Mallory is also a wife, mom to a little boy and girl, a strong believer in the power of human connection and a lover of culture with an insatiable wanderlust!
Fun fact: Mallory was born and raised in Michigan and met her Canadian husband in Western Australia. She’s visited more countries than she has fingers! And not only has Mallory lived in four other states before landing in Phoenix where she currently resides, but More You has served clients in four different countries (US, Canada, Australia and Uruguay)!
Why should YOU tune-in?
This go-getter mama started her online business not to get rich, but for the sake of freedom and flexibility. Mallory now has limitless business opportunities and the ability to travel the world without ever having to request time off.
What we’re talking about:
- The difference between a Virtual Assistant and an Online Business Manager
- Ways to scale your business
- Horkey HandBook’s FREE Virtual Assistant Finder service
- How Mallory runs her agency
- The tangible benefits of online business
- Your ‘why’ and assessing your goals
- Networking and connecting with people
- Maternity leave
- Standard Operating Procedures
Links mentioned in this episode:
Mallory's Website
Free VA Finder
Virtual Assistant Agency
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:41 – Explaining your online business to friends and family
2:27 – The difference between a virtual assistant and an online business manager
7:40 – Mallory’s role as VA Agency owner
10:45 – Managing client tools
14:07 – The dream client
16:21 – The first full month of income versus the highest income month as an agency
18:30 – Work/life balance
22:32 – Was there ever a moment when you wanted to go back to being an employee?
27:47 – What Mallory never anticipated when starting her business
30:40 – How to handle maternity leave
36:32 – What’s next for Mallory?
38:50 – Mallory’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful virtual assistant turned online business owner, Hailey Thomas. Hailey is a mindset coach for online entrepreneurs, and her home base is central Illinois.
Since starting her business, BrainSpace Optimized, in 2017, Hailey has worked with dozens of business owners to help them create structure and grow their businesses through coaching and project planning support.
Hailey hosts two podcasts – One Year From Now and Becoming Internet Famous. They’re both all about adding humor and insight to the behind-the-scenes truths of working in online business.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Think people don’t have superpowers? Then you haven’t met Hailey yet! This entrepreneur, wife and mom has discovered the world of online business in a big way. She set her sights on her goals and has gained the freedom and control over her circumstances that she was longing for!
What we’re talking about:
- Simplifying and streamlining business
- Podcasting and content marketing
- Investing in yourself and career development
- What do we do with all of the extra money we make
- Benefits for self-employed individuals
- Money mindset
- Being resourceful, informational interviewing and finding clients
- Being of service and getting referrals
- Repurposing content
Links mentioned in this episode:
Website: brainspaceoptimized.com
Podcast Production School: www.podcastproductionschool.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainspaceoptimized/
30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success: https://horkeyhandbook.com/30-days-virtual-assistant-success/
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:39 – Explaining to family and friends what it is you do for a living
3:23 – Hailey’s ideal clients
7:02 – Becoming Internet Famous and retargeting
12:47 – A surprise call from an old boss
15:00 – We wrote a book! Make Money As A Podcast Producer
20:51 – Investing in yourself and developing skills no one can take away
24:55 – Investment real estate
27:44 – Benefits for self-employed individuals
32:07 – All about the benjamins! What money means and what it doesn’t mean
38:26 – First-year money
42:08 – Is your husband supportive of your business, and was he when you started?
46:26 – Sourcing clients for a virtual assistant business
49:54 – Hailey’s extraordinary connector abilities
54:16 – What’s next for Hailey
58:16 – Hailey’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online business owner, Jason Resnick.
Jason helps established online businesses get more customers and turn them into repeat clients and raving fans so they can kick off 5- and 6-figure launches and drive revenue through evergreen sales. He does this by helping them build a strategy and implement behavioral marketing through automation, email marketing and on-site personalization with NurtureKit.
Jason also helps web developers and designers live a life by design through coaching and community so they can specialize their businesses and build recurring revenue. He does this using a framework to discover one’s ideal clients, establish their value and understand how to market to them. The result? A solid plan to move forward and build recurring revenue.
Fun Fact: Jason dated three girls (one is now his wife) who had the same birthday as their brother… how weird is that?!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Jason has always had the desire to be home with his family and have control over when he works and what kind of work he does. His dream? To have a family of his own and be present to see those first steps and hear those first words. Tune in to hear about his journey and his advice for those with their own dreams.
What we’re talking about:
- The pandemic pushed people to focus on their online side hustles
- People are still spending online and business continues to grow
- Taking action and leaving perfectionism aside
- Identifying strengths/weaknesses and hiring out
- Will your children become entrepreneurs?
- Developing and reinforcing work ethic in children
- Learning skills and going out on your own
- Investing in your kids’ future
- Figuring out what’s important to you
- Don’t wait for retirement to live the life you want to live
- The 3-day work week
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Jason’s website
- Nurture Kit
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:10 – Explaining to friends and family what it is you do.
3:44 – The difference between a web designer and a web developer.
5:36 – Who are you typically taking on as clients and what type of work are you doing for them?
9:43 – The pandemic’s effect on Jason’s income.
19:45 – Providing the framework and opportunity for your children to become entrepreneurs.
24:20 – Was the entrepreneur lifestyle modeled to you by anyone?
28:46 – Exposing your children to humanitarian opportunities and different cultures.
35:00 – Jason’s schedule.
36:38 – The new American dream.
38:06 – The rock, the gambler and burnout.
38:46 – Just a generalist.
41:21 – Advice to someone who doesn't have a supportive spouse.
46:35 – Success you didn't think was possible.
50:24 – The biggest contribution to Jason’s success.
54:18 – Current goals and next steps.
56:30 – Jason’s one piece of advice.
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer and online business owner, Ashley Gainer.
Ashley is the founder of Gainer Ink and has been a freelance writer and editor for more than ten years. She’s worked with clients across a variety of industries including career advancement, internet marketing, B2B, ecommerce, entrepreneurship, web design and more. After writing more blog posts than she can count, Ashley now ghostwrites game-changing books for entrepreneurs with big ideas and her agency provides funnel copy for great offers.
In 2015 Ashley opened the Ink Well Guild, a learning platform for new freelance writers. Nearly 1,000 students have benefited from her no-fluff, no-hype approach and countless others are listening in on her podcast, Copy Chatter.
Why should YOU tune-in?
Ever want to be able to make money working from home but you don’t think you’re the type to make it? Then you should definitely tune-in because Ashley is a mom who was never super ambitious about making a ton of money online and yet her most profitable month was $20,000! She just wanted to be able to make “enough” money and be able to be home with her kiddos.
What we’re talking about:
- Repositioning yourself and your business
- Working from home and having more babies
- Books and sales funnels
- Why books are great tools for marketing
- More and more businesses are transitioning online
- Facebook ads
- Being a mom and an entrepreneur
- Getting started with the online biz
- Finding your niche
- Freelance writing
Links mentioned in this episode:
Ashley’s website
How to make your writing portfolio
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:31 – Explaining to friends and family what it is you do for a living
3:09 – Where do you spend your time on Facebook?
4:14 – Tips and tools to contain the amount of time spent on Facebook
4:28 – What takes up the majority of your time right now?
5:59 – Ashley’s home life
8:22 – Does working online allow people to have more children?
9:26 – Why would a small business owner or entrepreneur want to self-publish a book?
15:23 – COVID’s impact on Ashley’s business
17:17 – Ashley’s income
19:53 – Normal life, being a mom, business and just showing up
22:52 – The beginning stages – how Ashley got started
28:59 – So what did you write? What was your first paid project and how much did you make?
30:21 – What was the most you've ever made writing blogs or articles and where did you find that client?
32:17 – The biggest contribution to Ashley’s success
33:08 – What's next
34:15 – Ashley's one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Laura Harris.
Laura is a professional writer, wife and mother of three. Her background in personal finance and her passion for parenting led her to launch a freelance writing career in 2015. With the education and support she found in Horkey HandBook’s course 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success, Laura went from earning pennies per word as a ghostwriter to eventually earning top-dollar with clients of her choosing.
She's been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Huffington Post, LifeHack, Scary Mommy, Her View From Home, and The Penny Hoarder.
Laura gave birth to her third child in 2019 and became a ministry leader working with mothers in her church. She’s since scaled back her freelance business to part-time while she soaks up precious moments with her growing family.
Fun fact: Laura used to own/ride a motorcycle… you know, before kids of course!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Laura went from literally pennies per word to earning top-dollar with clients of her choosing. Eventually, she decided to align business around her family, working just a few hours a week.
The road to success and satisfaction hasn’t always been easy though! Battling self-doubt and almost calling it quits at one point, Laura’s story is an inspiration to anyone trying to figure out how to create success online.
What we’re talking about:
- Creating a writing portfolio and landing clients
- Working and pitching in a niche with no experience
- All the different ways you can find clients
- How your business changes and adapts to life circumstances
- Content marketing
- Surrounding yourself with the right people
- First real money online
- Asking for more money
- Finding and targeting the right audience
- Depression, being a mom and trying to do it all
- Misconceptions about experience and starting your own online business
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Laura's website
- 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success (Course)
- 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success (Course)
- Score Clients on Contently (Blog post)
- How I Got Published on Scary Mommy (Blog post)
- Her View From Home
- Facebook group: "Christian Moms Who Write"
- Subscription Freebie: "Life-Balance Checklist for Moms"
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
2:18 – Explaining what you do to friends and family
4:45 – Landing that first client
8:50 – How many blog posts Laura writes for clients and what that looks like
13:54 – Pitching ideas to write about versus a client assigning topics
16:15 – The "I made it" moment
21:47 – Writer content mills and working for dollars
25:08 – The hours your work and the money you make
31:37 – Writing a new book
33:39 – The time Laura almost quit
36:54 – What kind of experience did you have before you started freelance writing?
41:44 – Laura's one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Holly Hanna.
Holly is the publisher and creator of the award-winning website, The Work at Home Woman, which helps women (and men) find remote careers and businesses that feed their souls.
She is frequently quoted and interviewed in top media outlets like CNN, MSN Money, Huffington Post and Woman’s Day magazine. Forbes also recognized the Work at Home Woman as one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women.”
Holly graduated from the University of Texas with a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and then later obtained an AD in nursing. She resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and daughter and enjoys reading, traveling and yoga.
Why should YOU tune-in? How do you go from nursing to online entrepreneur, publisher and award-winning creative? Find out as another one of our guests shows us the way from discontentment to taking control over her income, schedule and life – all from the comfort of her own home (or anywhere that has an internet connection)!
What we’re talking about: * Facebook Ads * Investing in courses * Virtual Assistant tasks * Plagiarism and copyright tools * Working with ghostwriters * Protecting your time and time-management processes * Self-care, yoga and walking on treadmills * Starting with no experience * Figuring out what skills to offer * Transitioning from offering services to building an agency or company * Affiliate marketing versus your own products
Links mentioned in this episode: 1. Holly’s website 2. Facebook 3. Instagram 4. Pinterest 5. Twitter 6. LinkedIn 7. Printables 8. 150+ Services You Can Offer
Minute-by-minute breakdown: 1:26 – What Holly does for a living
5:20 – Investments Holly’s made in herself and her business
7:09 – How a course junkie prevents themselves from buying all of the courses
10:04 – What Holly’s team does for her business
11:21 – Some of the tasks Holly’s VA does on a regular basis
11:54 – Key tools the team uses
12:32 – How many pieces of new content are you adding on a weekly or monthly basis?
14:09 – Daily schedule and time-management processes
17:22 – How did you get started working online?
20:33 – The online business perspective
21:45 – How to be more confident in pitching potential clients
28:07 – What kind of industry was your first client in?
29:08 – Some changes in Holly’s business
32:27 – Holly’s big wins
34:58 – The work that goes into a valuable weekly newsletter
36:31 – Holly's one piece of advice
Chelsea Brennan: Show Up Like It’s a 6-Figure Launch
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online entrepreneur, Chelsea Brennan.
Chelsea is the founder of Smart Money Mamas and the annual online summit, Mamas Talk Money. An ex-hedge fund manager turned financial educator, she helps moms connect with all aspects of their money in a way that lets them overcome emotional blocks.
Chelsea’s focus is on helping women identify what they most want and creating healthy money habits to achieve their goals while modeling positive money relationships for the next generation.
Smart Money Mamas is changing the way we talk about money so that more women can see money management as a true form of self-care.
Fun fact: Chelsea met her husband on Craigslist, and they were roommates for six months before they started dating – super fun “how I met your mother” story!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Would you choose to leave a career that paid over $500,000 a year? That would be crazy, right? Chelsea did it. But why?... Find out on this episode of Horkey HQ!
What we’re talking about:
- Pregnancy one in a million
- Choosing to give up $500,000 a year to work online
- Money identity
- Contingency plans
- The Golden Handcuffs
- Developing products and tools out of need
- How to effectively pitch affiliates
- Growing an email list
- Product outreach, pricing and bonuses
- Virtual summits
- Money management IS self-care
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Chelsea’s website
- Mamas Talk Money Summit
- Emergency Binder (Family resource)
- YouTube
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:24 – About Chelsea’s marriage
2:32 – Where she’s from
3:00 – Explaining to friends and family what exactly you do for a living
4:50 – Transitioning from hedge funds to online business
12:16 – How were you so confident that you’d be able to earn an income online?
14:01 – Contingency plans
16:24 – The Emergency Binder: Chelsea’s first monetized product
20:44 – How has your product launch gone since the start?
23:39 – Product launch wins and lessons
27:57 – New product prices and getting people to purchase
29:04 – All about the Mamas Talk Money Summit
38:24 – How did you get these incredible speakers to participate in the summit?
40:39 – Is this event only for women or parents? Why should people sign up?
43:26 – Money mindset
46:09 – Chelsea's one piece of advice
Today we’re chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Janine Kelbach.
Janine is a wife, mom of two boys (and two Great Danes!), and author of the book, Entreprenurse: 30+ Nurses Turn Into Business Owners and Share Their Secrets to Success.
She has been a freelance health content writer since 2013 and is the CEO of Write RN. Janine also hosts The Savvy Scribe Podcast – a podcast for healthcare professionals who want to build a profitable writing business. Lastly, her team of RN (registered nurse) writers help healthcare companies with their content and social media needs.
Fun fact: Janine’s an identical twin!
Why should YOU tune-in? Janine’s first paid online gig was just $5(!), but that’s all it took for her to realize the massive opportunity that the online world has to offer. This entrepreNURSE has impacted the lives of so many people – in so many different ways! Find out how she’s built massive success and why she continues to serve as a nurse.
What we’re talking about: * COVID, mental health and business * Why owning your own online business is less risky than employment * Success during a pandemic * Making your first buck online * Setting goals and rates * Getting paid more to write about your career than the career itself * Doing work you actually enjoy * Chasing down a payment * Overwhelm and how to handle it * Building flexibility into work-life balance * Why we do what we do
Links mentioned in this episode: 1. Janine's website 2. LinkedIn 3. Facebook 4. Instagram 5. Twitter 6. YouTube 7. Pinterest 8. 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success (Course) 9. Growth lab courses + mini-courses 10. Janine's podcast
Minute-by-minute breakdown: 1:13 – How would you describe what you do to friends and family?
2:20 – Janine is in all of the things most of the time.
11:46 – Starting a business, babies, puppies and the night shift.
14:23 – 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success and making real money online.
15:30 – Finding the gap
16:17 – Rates and making more than $5 a pop
18:40 – Why are you hanging onto your part-time job?
23:49 – The darker side of entrepreneurship… Thoughts of giving up
24:12 – Chasing down a payment
28:09 – Usually all you need is a little bit of time
31:42 – Proud moments in business
34:08 – What are you most excited about for the future of your business?
35:55 – How Janine lands clients
41:14 – Janine's one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online business owner, Laura Briggs.
Laura is the author of THREE books with Entrepreneur Press, including the award-winning How to Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business. She's delivered TWO TEDx talks on how freelancing is changing the economy and workforce and is also the volunteer executive director for Operation Freelance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping military spouses and veterans break into freelancing.
Fun fact: Laura’s been tap dancing for 30+ years and is pretty good at it!
Why should YOU tune-in?
Laura went from an inner-city school teacher to “accidentally” starting her own online business. Her freelance business opened doors to tons of other opportunities including a $50,000 project and working with one of her favorite authors.
Be sure to drop by this week’s episode to find out how Laura went from middle school teacher to accomplishing things she never dreamed would be possible.
By the way, she’s got TONS of actionable advice for you!
What we’re talking about:
- The life of an entrepreneur
- Freelancing full-time vs. part-time
- Working with difficult clients
- Amazon and Facebook ads
- When it’s a good time to run Facebook ads
- The pandemic and business
- Crossing over to the “freelance side”
- Struggles as a freelancer
- Misconceptions of working online
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Laura’s website
- Laura’s LinkedIn
- Laura’s Instagram
- SEO Writing Q&A
- The Big Leap
- How to Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business
Minute-by-minute breakdown:
1:24 – Laura does “something” online
2:37 – Entrepreneurs always have a lot going on
3:48 – What it was like to offer services full-time as a freelancer
5:42 – Being bored is not a good thing - learning new skills
6:52 – Providing Amazon ads as a service
9:00 – PITA clients
10:28 – The difference between Facebook and Amazon ads
11:52 – Should I run Facebook Ads for my services?
13:22 – If you had $300 to market your new business, how would you use it?
16:38 – A good conversion goal, particularly with Facebook ads
18:27 – What came first in Laura’s business
19:47 – Laura’s income and how COVID has affected this
20:40 – Schooling during COVID
22:20 – Teachers crossing over or transitioning into the freelance marketplace
24:59 – Struggles
26:58 – Does all of this freedom and flexibility attribute to irresponsibility?
33:21 – Big wins
36:19 – A huge shift in the last year
39:34 – The one piece of advice Laura wants to leave you with
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful student of our flagship course, 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success, Carrie Serres.
Carrie is a very hard-working, work-from-home mom! She has three small kids, her last of which is a miracle baby, conceived naturally and born full-term when Carrie was 43 after using fertility treatment to conceive her first two!
She’s rebuilding her virtual assistant agency after taking a year-long "break" to care for her newest baby.
Why should YOU tune-in? From a miracle birth to starting an online business, Carrie has experienced it all as a Virtual Assistant. She surpassed her income goal of $4,500 a month working online and decided that she needed more balance in life.
Find out how this full-time mom, homeschooler and entrepreneur has taken control over her finances and home life!
What we’re talking about: * Business and family * Customer service and profitability * Seeing the inside of a client’s business * Getting paid to learn * More money, less work * Starting a virtual assistant agency * Clients are literally everywhere! * When you should invest in your business * Choosing the type of work you do, who you do it with and at the rate you want * The future, systems and onboarding
Links mentioned in this episode: 1. Carrie’s website 2. Carrie on Facebook 3. Carrie on LinkedIn 4. 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success 5. 150+ Services You Can Offer as a Virtual Assistant 6. Horkey HandBook courses 7. Laura Elizabeth’s Client Portal (with Carrie’s discount!)
Minute-by-minute breakdown: 1:33 – How Carrie explains to friends and family what she does for a living
2:32 – Building a business while taking care of the kids full-time
3:49 – What Carrie’s school-work-life balance looks like
5:00 – Gina’s pregnant again!
6:32 – The types of clients Carrie’s working with and services she offers them
7:20 – How often Carrie has to hop on a video call or have meetings
8:46 – Carrie’s ideal customers/clients
9:26 – Customer service misconceptions
11:38 – Working as a VA allows you to see the inside of the majority of a business
12:10 – How much Carrie makes as a virtual assistant
13:35 – Carrie hired her first VA!
15:45 – Having a baby is kind of a big deal
16:35 – When and how Carrie started working online
18:27 – 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success
19:16 – Carrie shares exactly where you can find clients online!
20:37 – What Carrie’s invested in for her business
22:14 – What’s contributed the most to Carrie’s success over time
23:58 – 150+ Services You Can Offer as a Virtual Assistant (and get paid for!)
25:46 – Eutopia = doing what you love, for clients you like and getting compensated well
28:16 – Did Carrie ever want to throw in the towel?
31:04 – The future, systems and onboarding
33:56 – Gina on hiring professionals
35:03 – Is Carrie happy?
37:51 – Carrie’s one piece of advice
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful online business owner, Shannon Mattern.
Shannon teaches entrepreneurs how to DIY their websites and market themselves online (even if they have zero social media following and no budget for ads).
She's the host of the Pep Talks for Side Hustlers podcast where she shares her own side-hustle to self-employed journey through her monthly income reports, and interviews entrepreneurs making from $50K to multiple millions of dollars to find out exactly how they did it.
Shannon’s mission is to empower people who want the freedom, flexibility and financial independence by removing the tech barriers holding them back from building their businesses online.
Why should YOU tune-in? Learning to overcome imposter syndrome and limiting self-beliefs are things everyone faces. Shannon redefined what success looked like for herself and after just 5 years she’s making around $17,000 per month! But her biggest transformation happened in the past 18 months. Tune-in to find out the one thing that attributed to her exponential growth. Need a hint? Anyone can get it.
What we’re talking about: * New possibilities coming from the pandemic * How online business is still in the ‘wild west’ phase * The work from [insert favorite wifi location here] lifestyle * How mindset affects/determines success * Losing income and newfound job security * Where Shannon’s income comes from * Getting help, coaching and working with mentors
Links mentioned in this episode: 1. Shannon's website 2. Shannon on Facebook 3. Shannon on LinkedIn 4. Free 5-Day Website Challenge 5. YouTube version of this interview 6. Podcast Production School
Minute-by-minute breakdown: 1.17 – Shannon isn’t boring!
2:23 – Pandemic positivity, lifestyle independence and new opportunities
3:35 – How Shannon explains to friends and family what she does for a living
4:50 – Are we late to the game?
6:12 – Professor Horkey and all of the possibilities
8:13 – Shannon’s favorite part about working from home
9:18 – Gina’s schedule
9:48 – Shannon’s schedule
10:16 – Shannon speaks on mindset
10:36 – How to handle tasks that you would normally procrastinate
11:04 – Imposter syndrome
13:57 – Pitching and redefining success
15:11 – On sending video pitches
16:00 – “Mondays and mornings are mine!”
17:52 – Why Shannon would normally be freaking out… but isn’t!
20:02 – How Shannon would start over if she had all of the knowledge but none of the clients
21:40 – Aha moments (“Oh, wait, I'm not an employee!”)
23:54 – All about contingency plans
26:22 – Affiliate commissions, email marketing and webinars
30:20 – Income goes up when your confidence does!
34:42 – Getting help and the one change that worked for Shannon
35:02 – The most valuable part of investing in coaching
38:01 – Would you invest in a $10,000 coaching program?
39:20 – What the future looks like for Shannon
41:07 – The one piece of advice Shannon wants to leave you with (it’s good!)
Today we’ll be chatting with a very successful freelance writer, Haley Greene.
Haley is a conversion copywriter and strategist who wants to change the way online businesses talk to their customers.
As a copywriter, she uses a research-driven process to write sales copy that helps her clients build connections and deliver a better customer experience.
When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Haley whipping up a new recipe or getting her hands into a craft. She’s also a shameless sitcom fan, especially those classic shows!
Why should YOU tune-in? Hailey has been through it all – from facing the fear of self-doubt to botching a great opportunity and losing ALL of her clients at the beginning of the pandemic. Learn why she didn’t give up and go back to her 9-5.
Spoiler alert: It’s because working online is so f-ing satisfying!
What we’re talking about: * Talking to family and friends about working online * How to get your first client (and later on referrals) * Landing dream projects/work that you’re passionate about! * COVID-19, the future of online work & what it’s like to start over * How much you actually make starting out * Is it all worth it? * Chasing revenue vs. a flexible lifestyle * Where Haley’s clients come from * On throwing in the towel * Haley’s top piece of advice!
Links mentioned in this episode: 1. Haley's website 2. Haley's LinkedIn profile 3. Podcast Production School 4. Make Money As A Podcast Producer book 5. 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success course 6. 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success course 7. YouTube version of this interview
Minute-by-minute breakdown: 0:56 – Banana bread + the Golden Girls
1:53 – Explaining to family/friends what you do for a living
3:00 – Haley’s ideal clients
4:21 – Gina’s one-time gig with Target
5:21 – The magical concept of referral marketing
8:30 – Haley’s first time ghostwriting a book
11:07 – Other writing projects Haley’s been working on
12:03 – The pandemic and freelance writers/virtual assistants
12:50 – How COVID-19 led to Haley’s dream project
14:01 – How much $$ Haley makes as a freelance writer
16:18 – What to do when you bite off more than you can chew
17:42 – What makes Haley want to continue to grow/scale her biz
19:40 – Why Haley no longer chases revenue
21:44 – How to thrive online offering services
22:28 – What starting as a freelance writer looks like
23:17 – What do I have to lose?
24:59 – Gina’s first few gigs
25:22 – Botched opportunities = learning experiences
27:24 – How Haley lands the majority of her clients
29:22 – What’s contributed the most to Hailey’s success
30:31 – Did Haley ever think about throwing in the towel?
33:43 – How Haley built her business on the side of her 9-5
37:35 – How Haley would start over today
38:10 – What’s it’s like to lose all of your clients and start over
40:10 – Haley’s best piece of advice for those tuning in
41:26 – How to get in touch with Haley
