Success Stories
Here’s what clients are saying:
Donna’s coaching has made a considerable difference in my business success. What I feel the best thing about it is it led me to change my business around a bit and do something I’m more passionate about – coaching. I have always coached in my business, but realized during our coaching that I wanted to do more. And I wanted to have programs specifically for coaching. Donna coached me in how to make this happen, and perhaps one of the best tips she gave me was to do a survey. What I discovered was that what I was offering didn’t meet with what my target audience wanted or was willing to pay. With just a few changes in my coaching plans, I was able to change which will lead to more coaching clients and more money.
I would highly recommend her coaching programs. You will discover things you never realized about your business and also get excited about it again.
Diana Ennen, www.virtualwordpublishing.com
Donna’s program has been encouraging, thought-provoking, and has set me on the path to make six-figures. After speaking with Donna and having our group sessions, I always feel empowered to take my business to the next level. I have changed my business processes and my attitude towards delegating which is what it takes to have a six-figure business. Donna’s program is beneficial to anyone who is ready to take their business to the next level. Thank you Donna.
Kyna Baker, 5 Star Virtual Service, www.5starvirtualservice.com
Donna’s coaching is an amazing journey of growth, both personally and professionally. She has a gentle way of helping you strip away the layers of what holds you back and gives you the tools and encouragement to leap forward. I learned of Donna through her website and she had the wildly successful VA business I wanted. Her current and relevant experience as a VA is an absolute necessity which she generously shares in her coaching programs. There are many coaching options available, but learning from someone who actually “did it” was the magic pill for me! If you are looking to breakthrough and reach your next level of success as a VA, I highly recommend signing up for her coaching!
Donna Cravotta, www.virtualmanagementconcepts.com
I’m a proud member of Donna’s Step It Up VA Success Circle. Donna encompasses everything one would want in a true leader. I am in awe and inspired by the depth of knowledge, talents and time that she so generously shares with the people in her circle. She has a highly-structured coaching style which virtual assistants like me need to run a more productive business.
From every VA coaching session, lesson and Q&A call, I take away a priceless system that I can apply immediately into the operation or marketing of my business. Her generosity and talents flow down to the exclusive network of VAs that she’s brought together and nurtures. These VAs are truly a circle of support, ideas, resources, systems and top-notch talent to which I’m delighted to be a member.
Michelle O’Grady, www.digitalmarketingva.com
I was already toying with the idea of raising my rates and doing packages instead of hourly rates when I listened to your audio. I have already raised my rates by $5 per hour with no discounts to my monthly retainers. In addition, your call got me thinking about how I could restructure my monthly retainers in more creative ways. I am planning to restructure those plans over the next month to get them fine tuned and make my business more profitable and my time more productive. Thank you!
Serita Diana, www.list2closeassistant.com
My coaching call with Donna was possibly the most productive 3 hours of my life. “Coaching” has never worked for me so I was hesitant to sign up for this program, but after assurances that she could deliver what I needed, I gave it a try…and Donna DELIVERED. We worked on and accomplished EXACTLY what I said I needed to finish. I now have several package options tailored to what my business and team can deliver, as well as actionable steps that I will use to implement this change and move my business forward. Having this done will allow me to easily increase my profit margin on services. Donna’s approach was energetic, direct and warm, and she was so easy to work with. I hope she liked me too, because I will be back for more!
Laurie Cantus, www.yourgotogirls.com
Before I started working with Donna, my VA business was doing just ok. I had a few clients, but I wasn’t focused and didn’t have a clear message about what I offered. Since I started coaching with Donna, my business has dramatically changed. Largely due to Donna’s support, advice and most importantly her belief in my success – I have increased my clients 300%! I have gone from 5 clients to 16 clients, and with her help I am developing a team, structure, and procedures to systematize my business. I have gone from working in my business, getting stuck in the day-to-day tasks, to being the strategist and marketer of my business and am well on my way to generating a monthly 5-figure income. In fact, I have no doubts that by the end of this year, I will have my own 6-figure business. Thank you Donna for believing in me and giving me the support, the advice, and the accountability I need to take my business to a whole new level.
Crystal Parrett, www.timesaversvirtualsolutions.com
Wow! I jumped from floundering to focused in one day with Donna. My business had been open for a number of years, but wasn’t growing the way I had dreamed. My head was flooded with all the ideas I had and all the techniques I’d been studying to try to get to the next level; but, before the Intensive with her, I couldn’t seem to bring it all together into a plan. By thetime Donna did her magic, I knew where I was going, how I was going to get there and each step I would need to take and by when to make it all happen. Now, I can actually see a great future for my business. In addition, her sweet (but firm) nature and her genuine interest in me and my business made the experience fun and completely worthwhile.
Sue Peel, Affinity Virtual Assistance, www.affinityva.com
This system helped me in so many ways. Before taking the class, I already knew that I wanted a team and I had started building one, but I needed a road map. Week by week I learned new procedures that I was able to inject into my business which helped to build my confidence, it reinforced what I wanted to achieve, and pushed me to take it further. This is a great program for VAs who are truly ready to take it to another level. Thank you Donna!
April Sullivan, Virtual Assistant Chick
Last year I signed up for Donna Toothaker’s Coaching program. I needed help focusing on how to grow my VA business income, and the accountability to make sure I took action. At first, I was too afraid to acknowledge that I had huge goals for myself. But Donna gave me the confidence and courage to admit my outrageous goals, to create the practical steps to work towards them, and for achieving them.
Because she has run a successful Virtual Assistance business herself, Donna guides from her wealth of experience. In moments of overwhelm, she helps me find another way around what is keeping me from moving forward. When I’m focused on taking action, no matter how small, the momentum still builds and the growth still happens.
Of my many accomplishments this year, I have packaged my services, hired a team, developed an opt-in offer soon to be an e-book, presented my expertise at a VA association summit, was asked to partner with a small business association as a VA expert, not to mention I’ve grown my client base.
Donna offers a positive understanding and guidance to prepare for the inevitable success.I am thrilled that I surpassed my own expectations for my business this year, having doubled, almost tripled, my income. Donna’s coaching has been the best thing I have done for my business, and I’m even more excited to see what I can accomplish in this next year with her continued guidance and support. I highly recommend Donna for VA Coaching. It is impossible to imagine what can be achieved or how quickly without stepping out of your comfort zone and seeking Donna’s help.
Kelly Williams, www.kellywilliamsva.com
I started coaching with Donna as soon as I decided to launch my business. I knew what I wanted and I wanted to be sure that I did it right!
When we started, I was the newbie with just one client and big plans! From the beginning, Donna understood me better than I understood myself. When I think back to one of our first calls, Donna understood my personality and my drive. Donna and I worked on putting systems and procedures in place to grow my business. As months passed, I had my doubts but Donna continued to keep me focused on my goals.
Donna helped me set the foundation that my business needed, In 14 months my “plans” have evolved into a multi-VA team with a growing customer base!
Christine Morris, www.strategicgrowthanddevelopment.com
Before Donna’s Program, my business was running me and I was getting burnt out! I thought 6-figures was something in the far distance. I never imaged that it could be within reach and in such a short amount of time. After listening to the first 2 weeks I was able to start implementing some strategies and ideas for positioning my business for 6-figs!
My business has come so far in a few short months! I launched my first product and course and have started to coach other Virtual Assistants on coming up with game plans for their businesses in 2011.
Alicia Rittenhouse, www.aliciarittenhouse.com
If you’re an entrepreneur I highly recommend you work with a coach. What’s even better than working with a business coach, is working with one who specializes in your specific business. Knowing Donna has “been in my shoes” growing her own successful VA business, made all the difference to me. She understands the demands and struggles of growing a VA business and has wonderful tips and solutions to any problem I sent her way.
My confidence and business has grown stronger as a result of working with Donna. Knowing I could email Donna and that she would respond to me with her expert advice, was just what I needed to help grow my business. Not only is Donna professional, knowledgeable and resourceful but she is also genuine, kind and sincere in the coaching services she provides. Make room in your budget to work with her, you will be glad you did!
Melissa Dery, www.thegoldenruleva.com
Donna has been an amazing inspiration in my life both professionally and personally. Her gentle way of helping you get to the core of what is holding you back is just one of the many attributes Donna has. She gives you the tools needed for you to be able to move forward toward your goals.
Donna is creative in ways to help you grow your business and get to the next level. Learning from Donna has been a positive and fulfilling experience. She shares her experiences and through them she is able to give guidance as to what works and what doesn’t in business. Donna’s attitude is always positive and uplifting.
Donna’s coaching is powerful because she has been through it and wants to help other VAs be successful. Donna gave me the confidence I need to get out there as a VA and do what I do best. Thank you, Donna!
Jerri Goranson, www.virtualofficevisions.com
While I loved working one on one with my clients, I found myself overwhelmed and burnt out after just two years. I had lost my passion and felt I had also lost myself by doing work I didn’t love and letting my business control my life. I knew there was something bigger for me to do.
As I tried to re-discover my “unique brilliance,” I let go of some clients and pulled back to focus on a new vision for my life and business. I knew where I wanted to be, but had no clue how I was going to get there. Driving home from a weekend trip, I was listening to one of Donna’s free calls when the Universe smacked me with the proverbial 2 x 4 upside the head. Duh! Find someone who’s where you want to be and mentor with her. Learn from her. You don’t need to re-invent the wheel. I sent Donna an email when I got home that day and as soon as we talked I signed on as a Private Platinum client.
That was late December. I now have a small, but mighty team of really wonderful VAs who each brings such amazing skills and gifts to me, my business and our clients.I’ve been able to step away from the “doing” of all the client work and move into the role of CEO (yay!). We are currently in the process of re-tooling our own online presence and I have a full year scheduled of new products, programs, teleclasses and more – all thanks to Donna!
Jackie Cunningham, www.greenkiteva.com
Choosing to have a strategy call with Donna was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my business. She was extremely helpful in helping me create my packages and plan out action steps that I need to take.
Donna answered all of my nittty gritty questions, and got me on track to building a virtual assistant business that I would be proud of. Her expertise and knowledge is well worth the investment! I now can move forward with a goal and plan in mind thanks to Donna’s advice.
I’ve done many things to prepare for becoming a virtual assistant, but the thing that has helped the most with my business, is taking the Step It Up VA classes. Before taking the classes I was struggling with how to set my rates and how to attract the kind of clients I wanted to work with. In just the past few months, I have added three wonderful clients and the work continues to come in. The return on my investment in Step It Up VA is huge. Thanks so much Donna for all the great advice!
Sharon Tousley, www.maydayva.com
Signing up for a personal half-day coaching session with Donna was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Donna is committed to helping business owners work through whatever is holding them back or getting in the way of their success.
In our meeting I anticipated that we would most likely be addressing the many areas in which I am severely lacking such as marketing and involvement in social media, sales, etc. I thought we’d discuss these areas that I’m having trouble with and she would give me some good advice that would help me come up with ways to solve them and that would be the end of it. However, what I anticipated is vastly different when compared to how it actually went and what I came away with.
During our conversation Donna picked up on a few key points that actually lead me down a different path entirely. She got a sense that I was looking for something more and she was able to help me see an opportunity that’s right in front of me just waiting for me to turn it into to a reality.
I am very excited to now be working on a project that I feel good about because it holds more personal interest for me. Sometimes it is difficult for us to see or know if we are headed in the right or not and it takes someone like Donna to help work through all the details and lead us to more exciting opportunities and address the areas that are most important to us.
Michelle Scappace, www.michellesva.com
Before working with Donna Toothaker in her Private Platinum 2010 program, I was in extreme overwhelm in my business. I was working 7 days a week. I would get up at 5:30 in the morning to work and then I would take a break in the evening but then I would go right back to work and work until 10:00 to 11:00 at night. I was headed for burn out and I didn’t know what to do. I felt so stuck. I was stuck in the fact that I needed time to focus on my business but I was so overwhelmed with the workload that I had. After years of trying to do it alone and not being successful, I decided I needed help.
I found Donna and I started working with her. Through Donna, I was able to do so many things. Most importantly, Donna really held me accountable. She really challenged me and she questioned me when I was resistant to her suggestions. Donna pushed back and helped me to understand that she wasn’t just telling me to do something just to tell me, it was really for my own good. She had my best interest at heart.
After being very resistant for a few months to what Donna was trying to help me achieve, I finally smacked myself up side the head and realized I needed to stop bucking her and listen to what she is trying to say.
One of the first things was to raise my rates with my clients. She helped me craft the email and she was there when I sent it out to my clients. To my surprise no one baulked it. She was able to hold my hand through it because it was very scary. Even though I have been in business for 8 years and I have raised rates before, I have only raised them twice in the entire 8 years. So, it was a big deal for me. Having her help me through that was very helpful.
She also helped me to put more boundaries in place. For example, I was doing once a week calls with clients and with Donna’s help I was able to move clients to a once a month call. I made it a win-win for them to where they actually thanked me for making the change. Donna showed me that in fact it was probably a disservice to my clients doing once a week calls and moving them to once a month could actually be better for them. You know what? She was right! My clients love it. Now they are much more focused during our call and they are much more accountable. They are achieving much more by moving that call to once a month even though I was scared to do it. Making this one change has freed up my time, I get my work done without working all hours of the night.
I was able to take a one week vacation for the first time in 9 years without a phone or a computer. I absolutely did NO work whatsoever. She helped me put a team in place to where I can leave and know that my team is going to handle the work that is there. My team is incredible. It’s been so joyful to work with them. I got a really great team right off the bat which is very unusual. But with Donna’s help on how to build a team and what to look for, I was able to find the right people and make a good fit from the beginning.
I highly encourage you to work with Donna if you want to take your VA business to the next level or maybe you are just happy where you are but your business is starting to take over your life. Maybe you are like me and your life has been built around your business and now you want to build your business around your life. Donna is the person for that. She will help you to really start to take control, put boundaries in place and to think beyond your limited beliefs. She will help you start to think bigger and to really treat it as a business.
Angee Robertson, www.sheicsupport.com
During our coaching call, Donna walked through each of my website pages and packages, taking the time get me back on track to offer only the VA services I absolutely love providing. She ended the call reminding me that it is my ‘duty’ to market my gifts in order to help clients. Thank you Donna!
Signing on with Donna as my coach was the best thing I could have done for my business. I was having difficulty finding my niche, within our first session Donna found the perfect niche for me and gave me valuable tips on how to market myself.
When I am ready to move my business to the next level, Donna will be the first person I call. I cannot recommend her highly enough, if your VA business needs help, call Donna NOW. She will save you time and money.
Choosing to have a strategy call with Donna was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my business. She was extremely helpful in helping me create my packages and plan out action steps that I need to take.
Donna answered all of my nittty gritty questions, and got me on track to building a virtual assistant business that I would be proud of. Her expertise and knowledge is well worth the investment! I now can move forward with a goal and plan in mind thanks to Donna’s advice.
Katie Simmons, www.integrityvasolutions.com
Donna is such a great coach. I had heard about a colleague of mine doing a strategy session with Donna and so I started paying more attention to what she had to say. After taking a survey for Donna and getting a free consultation, I was hooked. Donna was very informative and helpful on the free call and her coaching has been top notch.
During the process of my coaching with Donna I landed 3 more monthly clients and some additional organizational skills that were lacking in my business, a TODO folder for my email seems so simple and yet it make such a difference. Not to mention hiring an assistant and learning to turn over some of my workload.
During the course of my coaching I had some personal struggles and Donna was respectful and encouraging to me and helped me to get back on track and point out the positive things I had still managed to accomplish.
I truly respect Donna as a person and a coach.
Dawn Pigoni, www.BeSocialWorldwide.com
I highly recommend Donna Toothakers’s Step It Up VA Group Coaching programs because I have been a member for a little over a month and in this short time I have already made changes in my business that have helped me to take my Virtual Assistant practice to the next level. Donna presented a call topic on “Packages” and I was able to immediately put her advice to work and add value to my Virtual Assistant practice by bundling services together for one price and this helped me to stop trading dollars for hours.
The Success Circle forum is also an active forum, it is a great place to network with other Virtual Assistants and get immediate advice. I have also found a qualified Virtual Assistant to work on my team. I enjoy the Success Circle forum because I have been able to get feedback from other members on a variety of topics but Donna also posts her feedback there as well. She really does care about her members and give out advice on many of the topics that members post.
Dawn Cullo, www.SunriseVirtualServices.com
Your feedback and encouragement are priceless. You gave me the inspiration to keep moving forward when I got bogged down. It’s sooo nice to know there’s someone out there who is knowledgeable and cheering me on!
Susan Gibbons, www.DiamondShamrocks.com
After listening to Donna’s free call on the Top 5 Strategies to Landing New Clients and Increasing Revenues I immediately started putting her ideas and strategies into action. I was able to offer a few of my existing clients a new package, I created an affiliate program which I added to my website, and I followed up with every potential client through a very targeted newsletter. The results were awesome and I was able to pick up two new clients from that newsletter alone!
Working with Donna over the past several months has really helped me to curb a lot of my “bright shiny object syndrome” and stay focused on what it is I do best and how to provide outstanding service to my clients. Donna is an exceptional coach and is the best choice for any VA who is ready to step up their game and build the business that they really desire.
Thank you, Donna for all that you do!April Sullivan VirtualAssistantChick.com
I was absolutely delighted to be a part of Donna’s 6-Week to 6 Figure VA Success Series. I believe Donna is a very popular resource and coach for us VAs because she has walked the walk, is where many of us want to be financially and she’s not afraid to be transparent and share her personal stories. Donna’s down to earth relatable style, work ethic, patience with those of us who ask many questions, professionalism, drive and experience sealed the deal for me. I wanted and needed meat and potatoes, examples and templates – Donna delivered. I also really enjoyed the live coaching vibe – being part of a group of tremendous ladies who came together, supported and encouraged each other. I believe there is an expected level of respect in Donna’s coaching groups as many of us are at the same level so we ‘get it.Future Donna clients please know that whether you are a newbie or veteran VA every one of us gets stuck and needs support and encouragement.
I believe it’s also important to note that Donna ‘gets’ us VAs who have chosen to specialize/niche in Executive Assistance. Not a lot of folks in the VA industry do;Donna’s understanding, support and encouragement mean a lot to me. I was clueless about how to create packages for this specialty. Donna showed our group examples of other EA VAs packages she helped create. This helped me a lot as I am a visual and audio learner which Donna knew – finding out how her students learn is important to her.
I’m also thankful to Donna for her support of an idea I had been mulling around in my head and heart for months. It is a program very near and dear to my heart but I didn’t know if there was a real need for it. Donna listened to the why, asked good questions, assured me that I wasn’t crazy and told me there is a large need. She strongly encouraged me to go for it – VA/Client Relationship Coaching was officially launched in May at the IVAA Summit in Portland.
Sue Kramer Harrawood
Founder
Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance
After 9 years of growing and running a successful VA business and team, I realized my business wasn’t keeping pace with my long-term goals and vision. After participating in the “6 Steps to 6-Figure VA Success System” and listening to the calls and training Donna provided through the “Success Circle” group, I knew that Donna was the coach I needed at this point in my business. On nearly every training call, I have “aha” moments – even after listening to a call recording 4 or 5 times!
I was thrilled to join the “Inner Circle” coaching group and it’s been absolutely fabulous. During our first private coaching session,Donna was able to laser in and pinpoint several areas of my business that needed adjusting, giving me several “why didn’t I think of that?”moments! She has a knack for getting to the heart of the matter quickly, guiding you to light bulb moments, then giving you practical steps to reach your new goals. I love that Donna has “been there, done that” – I know that she’s seen both sides of the challenges I face and can help me push through to the other side. In just a few months, I’ve been able to refocus my target market, update my website to better attract that market, put missing yet critical systems in place, and move from an hourly rate to package pricing which will ultimately allow me to reach my business vision while working fewer hours!
Cindy Opong
www.CreativeAssistants.com
Connecting with Donna in the Inner Circle has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my business.When I started with the coaching program I knew my business wasn’t anywhere near where I wanted it to be. With each encounter with both Donna and my group members, I always felt empowered to make the changes necessary to have a 6-figure business. As I followed the assignments and implemented the pearls of wisdom Donna would outline, it positioned me to take charge of my business so that I could see the results I wanted. I have a much clearer vision of what I need to do to have the success I desire.
Lynn Edwards
www.virtual-excellence.com
The “6 Steps to 6-Figure VA Success System” is a great investment for any virtual assistant – beginning or experienced. Donna has the experience and shares what she has learned in an easy to understand manner. Perhaps the most important piece of information I learned from her is: Think like a CEO! She will take you from technician to CEO in six easy steps.
Donna delivers what she promises. Her presentations are well-organized and insightful. Participant input is welcomed. The package includes many useful bonuses, and course materials are delivered on time.Great instruction on the business side of running a virtual assistant business!
Debbie Hanchey, www.infusionsoftservices.com
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