In today’s episode of Talk the Walk, I bring you a spicy, spirited convo with the one and only Alan Weiss — and we go deep (and a little rogue) on a hot topic: Do you really need a virtual assistant to grow your business?
Alan says no. Emphatically.
And look — this wasn't even our planned topic. A throwaway comment Alan made in a previous episode (about VAs being an ego play before you're earning $5M+) sparked a flood of DMs, so we decided to go full throttle on it.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why Alan runs a seven-figure business with zero staff (and what he does instead)
• The difference between subcontracting and hiring
• Why most people hire out of fear or ego — not need
• Alan’s daily habits, discipline, and why his Filofax ＞ your fancy scheduling software
• How to stay ultra-responsive (and why that’s a competitive edge)
• The real cost of outsourcing the basics before you’ve mastered them yourself
• What you should outsource first (hint: it’s not your inbox)
• And of course, the joy of sponsored coffee mugs and martinis at 7am 🍸☕
Plus: You’ll hear my confession about sending Alan a Calendly link (his horror!) and how I found myself nervously calling his landline at 5am — yep, we’re taking it back to old-school consulting.
Whether you’ve got a VA, are thinking of hiring one, or just want to tighten up your solo game, this one’s a must-listen.
Mentioned:
• American Express concierge services
• Why email is NOT a task management system
• Alan’s infamous Monday Morning Memo
• The difference between success and perfection
• Why subcontracting beats staffing (and gives you your life back)
🎧 Grab your coffee, martini, or matcha — and come talk the walk with us.
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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com
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