In today’s Naptime Chat, I sat down with Fiona Campbell - mama of three, and founder of Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network.

Fiona shares how being made redundant while on maternity leave led her to launch her own VA business and how the ripple effect from that one bold move has now created over 400 job opportunities for women across Australia.

We talked about the realities of working from home with kids, building a business around your actual life (not someone else’s ideal), and the power of creating systems that allow flexibility and freedom - without sacrificing quality or boundaries.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom, whether you’re brand new to business or growing a team. Fiona shares her signature Streamline, Automate, Delegate approach, what she wishes more mums knew about superannuation, and why we need to stop charging like we’re still employees.

We also talked about:


Why you shouldn’t start with a website and why Fiona did anyway


How the VA Lead Network grew from a secret page to a thriving national platform


Why flexible work shouldn’t be just for contractors


What to do if you’ve got admin or tech skills and want to start your own biz

If you’ve been thinking about launching your own VA or OBM business - or just want to hear a real, honest story of how one mama built something incredible during nap times - this one’s for you.

Links + Resources
→ Join the VA Lead Network
→ Download the Pay Rates Report 2025
→ Read Fiona's guest blog post Why Flexible Work Shouldn't Mean Financial Sacrifice
→ Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn or visit www.valeadnetwork.com.au
→ Come say hi on Instagram: @‌balancedbizmama
→ Join The Balanced Biz Mama Circle
→ Subscribe to never miss an episode!

In today&rsquo;s Naptime Chat, I sat down with Fiona Campbell - mama of three, and founder of&nbsp;Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network.
Fiona shares how being made redundant while on maternity leave led her to launch her own VA business and how the ripple effect from that one bold move has now created over 400 job opportunities for women across Australia.
We talked about the realities of working from home with kids, building a business around your actual life (not someone else&rsquo;s ideal), and the power of creating systems that allow flexibility and freedom - without sacrificing quality or boundaries.
This episode is packed with practical wisdom, whether you&rsquo;re brand new to business or growing a team. Fiona shares her signature Streamline, Automate, Delegate approach, what she wishes more mums knew about superannuation, and why we need to stop charging like we&rsquo;re still employees.
We also talked about:
<ul data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="bulletList" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">
<li data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="listItem" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">
Why you shouldn&rsquo;t start with a website and why Fiona did anyway
</li>
<li data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="listItem" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">
How the VA Lead Network grew from a secret page to a thriving national platform
</li>
<li data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="listItem" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">
Why flexible work shouldn&rsquo;t be just for contractors
</li>
<li data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="listItem" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">
What to do if you&rsquo;ve got admin or tech skills and want to start your own biz
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve been thinking about launching your own VA or OBM business - or just want to hear a real, honest story of how one mama built something incredible during nap times - this one&rsquo;s for you.
Links + Resources &rarr; Join the&nbsp;<a href="https://valeadnetwork.com.au/join?tap_a=136841-b18a01&amp;ref=zdiwnjb">VA Lead Network</a> &rarr; Download the <a href="https://valeadnetwork.com.au/australian-va-obm-rates-report/?tap_a=136844-80cd92&amp;ref=zdiwnjb">Pay Rates Report 2025</a> &rarr; Read Fiona's guest blog post <a href="https://balancedbizmama.com.au/post/why-flexible-work-shouldnt-mean-financial-sacrifice">Why Flexible Work Shouldn't Mean Financial Sacrifice</a> &rarr; Connect with Fiona on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ficampbell">LinkedIn</a> or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://valeadnetwork.com.au/join?tap_a=136841-b18a01&amp;ref=zdiwnjb">www.valeadnetwork.com.au</a> &rarr; Come say hi on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/balancedbizmama" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">@&zwnj;balancedbizmama</a> &rarr; Join <a href="https://balancedbizmama.com.au/bbm-circle" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">The Balanced Biz Mama Circle</a> &rarr; Subscribe to never miss an episode!

A Mama's Guide To Balancing Parenthood & Working From Home

Coffee, Clients, and Naptime, the ultimate podcast for ambitious parents ready to build a fulfilling business while raising their families. Hosted by Sarah Maree - mother, entrepreneur, and mentor with 15 years of experience in building successful businesses.

Learn how to find your balance between business and your family, creating your dream life during naptime, or in those precious in-between moments when you're a work from home parent. We share practical tools and proven methods to help you transition from overwhelmed to running a successful business on your own terms.

If you're a parent looking to replace the 9-to-5 with flexibility, freedom, and purpose, this podcast is for you. This is the support you need to create the life you’ve always dreamed of - for yourself and your family.

So, grab your coffee, and let’s make it happen!

 

Follow along on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/ 

Visit us online:

https://balancedbizmama.com.au

A Mama's Guide To Balancing Parenthood &amp; Working From Home
Coffee, Clients, and Naptime, the ultimate podcast for ambitious parents ready to build a fulfilling business while raising their families. Hosted by Sarah Maree - mother, entrepreneur, and mentor with 15 years of experience in building successful businesses.
Learn how to find your balance between business and your family, creating your dream life during naptime, or in those precious in-between moments when you're a work from home parent. We share practical tools and proven methods to help you transition from overwhelmed to running a successful business on your own terms.
If you're a parent looking to replace the 9-to-5 with flexibility, freedom, and purpose, this podcast is for you. This is the support you need to create the life you&rsquo;ve always dreamed of - for yourself and your family.
So, grab your coffee, and let&rsquo;s make it happen!
&nbsp;
Follow along on Instagram:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/">https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/</a>&nbsp;
Visit us online:
<a href="https://balancedbizmama.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://balancedbizmama.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1738991844534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YaHdKBJ9Saj--uHQdEFFg">https://balancedbizmama.com.au</a>

Coffee, Clients & Naptime

A Mama's Guide To Balancing Parenthood & Working From Home

Coffee, Clients, and Nap-time, the ultimate podcast for ambitious parents ready to build a fulfilling business while raising their families. Hosted by Sarah Maree—mother, entrepreneur, and mentor with 15 years of experience in building successful businesses.

Learn how to attract clients during nap-time, after school drop-off, or in those precious in-between moments of parenting meeting your business dreams. We share practical tools and proven methods to help you transition from corporate life to running a successful business on your own terms.

If you're a parent looking to replace the 9-to-5 with flexibility, freedom, and purpose, this podcast is for you. This is the support you need to create the life you’ve always dreamed of—for yourself and your family.

So, grab your coffee, and let’s make it happen!

 

Follow along on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/ 

Visit us online:

https://balancedbizmama.com.au

A Mama's Guide To Balancing Parenthood &amp; Working From Home
Coffee, Clients, and Nap-time, the ultimate podcast for ambitious parents ready to build a fulfilling business while raising their families. Hosted by Sarah Maree&mdash;mother, entrepreneur, and mentor with 15 years of experience in building successful businesses.
Learn how to attract clients during nap-time, after school drop-off, or in those precious in-between moments of parenting meeting your business dreams. We share practical tools and proven methods to help you transition from corporate life to running a successful business on your own terms.
If you're a parent looking to replace the 9-to-5 with flexibility, freedom, and purpose, this podcast is for you. This is the support you need to create the life you&rsquo;ve always dreamed of&mdash;for yourself and your family.
So, grab your coffee, and let&rsquo;s make it happen!
&nbsp;
Follow along on Instagram:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/">https://www.instagram.com/balancedbizmama/</a>&nbsp;
Visit us online:
<a href="https://balancedbizmama.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://balancedbizmama.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1738991844534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YaHdKBJ9Saj--uHQdEFFg">https://balancedbizmama.com.au</a>

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