Panic-Proof Radio

This special bonus episode of Panic Proof Radio features the one and only Amy Landino, bestselling author, keynote speaker, personal brand coach, and longtime friend. As we navigate economic uncertainty and shifting business landscapes, Amy shares her perspective on what’s really holding people back and how we can reclaim control, reframe fear, and start building the life we actually want. We also dive into one of her most talked-about strategies for entrepreneurs not quite ready to hire help: the “fake assistant.” If you're in the middle of a pivot, considering one, or just need permission to think bigger, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways:When the world feels out of control, building a personal brand gives you leverage and long-term stability.Fear-based decisions lead to small moves while abundant thinking opens the door to growth.The "fake assistant" method helps you understand what tasks you need to delegate and builds confidence before hiring.Evolving your brand may alienate some followers, but it attracts the right people for your next chapter.Forget waiting for the perfect moment—make the moment perfect and start now.Resources from this Episode:Learn more about Amy LandinoLearn more about Don’t Panic ManagementReclaim your time with the Panic-Proof Blueprint

Linda Abraham has been a leader in the admissions consulting field since 1994. She founded Accepted to empower applicants to tell their unique stories through their college, graduate school, business school, law school, and medical school applications. Linda’s passion for sharing information about admissions and empowering applicants to achieve their goals led her to start the Admissions Straight Talk podcast in 2012. At Don’t Panic Management, we’ve been able to work with Linda on the Admissions Straight Talk podcast throughout their production process, along with daily standard administrative procedures. In this episode, Linda shares her perspective on the evolution of the podcast and why building a solid team, including virtual assistants, helps small businesses scale and reach new audiences. Key Takeaways:  Hiring virtual assistants for podcast production and management can help alleviate business stresses and production time turnaround. When working with a VA, it’s essential to dedicate time to video conferences to help foster a sense of community and connection across your team.  Flexibility is crucial when working in virtual environments.  VAs can provide peace of mind towards your business when you need to focus on external things in your day-to-day life.  Resources from this Episode: Learn more about Accepted Listen to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast Follow Linda on LinkedIn Learn more about Don’t Panic Management Reclaim your time with the Panic-Proof Blueprint

Tony Holbrook leads a busy life—he’s a business owner, a consultant, a CrossFit gym owner and trainer, and a dad to four. It’s a lot to juggle, but thanks to his team of trusty virtual assistants, he’s been able to consistently grow his business over the years.  We have much to learn from Tony, who masterfully organizes and operates his many ventures. He’s a big fan of virtual teams and credits his team for making his business more efficient and productive. He shares how he structures his virtual teams, where he sees his place as the leader, and what he does when he recognizes it’s time to pivot. Key Takeaways:  Some may shy away from virtual teams, but Tony has found that being open to a broader pool has opened up more opportunities to find the right person for the role. Everything needs to be documented, even a tangent that comes up in a meeting. If it’s not recorded, it slips through the cracks and it’s no longer serving anybody.  There’s something you can learn from every member of your team. Tony encourages leaders to be curious about the lived experiences that others bring to the table.  Just because you ask somebody to do a job doesn’t mean they will be successful. As a leader, it's up to you to determine whether your team members are set up for success.  Resources from this Episode: Learn more about Tony Holbrook Learn more about Don’t Panic Management Reclaim your time with the Panic-Proof Blueprint

Some may view being a virtual assistant as a stepping stone in between roles, but a career is very much possible. We’re diving into this topic with Hannah Kahn, our Chief People Officer at Don’t Panic Management. Hannah reflects on her career journey and shares how she grew from an Administrative Assistant to her current role and made herself an irreplaceable employee.  Of course, Hannah keeps a close pulse on all things virtual work-related, and we hear her perspectives on how to collaborate remotely, what the rise of AI tools means for VAs, and more!  Key Takeaways: Curiosity goes a long way for virtual assistants. Hannah says it’s one of the easiest ways to become irreplaceable and grow in your role. Even if a virtual assistant isn’t responsible for developing strategy, understanding the vision and goals allows them to take ownership of their tasks and make more informed decisions. A virtual assistant can be an invaluable member of your team. Hannah likens her role to a “mega assistant” who oversees the big picture.  Hannah’s #1 tip for anyone looking to hire a VA is to identify the tasks you’d like to delegate before you start working with your assistant.  Resources from this Episode: Learn more about Hannah Kahn Learn more about Don’t Panic Management Reclaim your time with the Panic-Proof Blueprint

Katie Mleziva is the Founder and Brand Strategist of Real Food Brands and is constantly innovating and presenting new ideas for her clients. Yet, when it came to taking a leap in her business in 2018, she felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start. That’s when Katie enlisted the help of Don’t Panic Management.  She shares how working with virtual assistants gave her the confidence, accountability, and a step-by-step plan to roll out new offerings in her business. What surprised Katie was how quickly she started to notice other areas where her business could benefit from the help of a VA. Tune in to hear more about how Katie’s leap paid off and how she continues to grow her business.  Key Takeaways: Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Katie lives by this motto as she focuses her time on the things that must be done by her and the things that light her up.  Virtual assistants can serve as external accountability, which is especially helpful for entrepreneurs who are quick to prioritize client work and put their own projects on the back burner.  Even when Katie took a break from her podcast, her virtual assistants built systems so she could pick things up again smoothly.  Sharing your vision and strategy can help a VA be more excited about their role and understand how they contribute to a greater goal. Resources from this Episode: Learn more about Katie Mleziva Learn more about Real Food Brands Learn more about Don’t Panic Management Reclaim your time with the Panic-Proof Blueprint