Taking a Leap of Faith: From Virtual Assistant to Podcast Producer
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Have you ever wanted to take a leap of faith in your career? In today’s episode of In Between Homes, we dive into Aleea Miller’s inspiring leap of faith from virtual assistant to podcast producer on her entrepreneurial journey. She’s the co-founder and podcast producer at Golden Goose Creative, a full-service podcast production company that supports creative female entrepreneurs with all their podcasting needs.
Join us as we explore Aleea’s entrepreneurial journey, the sacrifices she’s made, her partnership dynamics, how she balances work with life outside work, and more. Tune in now to find inspiration and practical advice for taking your own leap of faith in your career!
The Entrepreneurial Journey of a Podcast Producer
In today's episode of In Between Homes, I had the pleasure of chatting with Aleea, a US-based co-founder and podcast producer at Golden Goose Creative, a full-service podcast production company that she helped establish in 2021.
Her company provides the perfect nest of support for creative female entrepreneurs. It's really a one-stop shop. She even played an important role in turning my podcasting dream into reality.
We began our conversation by exploring Aleea's story and her journey as a female entrepreneur—because, as we all know, it’s not always an easy path. Aleea started her entrepreneurial journey as a virtual assistant back in 2017. She loved the work, finding it enjoyable and similar to podcasting in that both involve close collaboration with clients.
However, she desired more flexibility in her schedule and finances. While virtual assistant work was fulfilling, she recognized the need for better pay and the ability to focus more on a specific niche.
In 2021, she made the switch to podcast production, a move that coincided perfectly with her co-founder’s pregnancy. This change allowed them both the flexibility to balance work with personal life.
Aleea now works full-time as a podcast producer, a decision that began with her taking a leap of faith after discovering a course on podcast production.
A Leap of Faith
Our conversation then shifted to the moment Aleea took her leap of faith. Did she feel an inner push guiding her at that point in her life?
Absolutely. Aleea was beginning to experience burnout, something many can relate to, especially when juggling multiple roles and clients. While she cherished the relationships she had built with her clients, she realized that the work itself was no longer what she wanted to do.
One day, it became clear to her that she needed a change. She was ready for something different. Now, even on days when her work is overwhelming or exhausting, she no longer carries the heavy burden she felt as a virtual assistant. Although she enjoyed being a VA, she found that podcast production aligns much better with her lifestyle and personality.
There was a definite pull, a moment when she knew it was time to say, “Okay, I have to make a switch.”
The Podcasting Journey
That switch led Aleea into the world of podcasting, where she found a true passion. What does she love most about supporting others in bringing their podcasts to life?
For Aleea, it’s the success of her clients that brings her the most joy. When they succeed, she feels like her work is truly making a difference—it’s a win-win.
She also enjoys the tasks involved in podcast production. While some tasks can be repetitive, they’re still enjoyable because there’s a clear structure to what she does. Plus, the variety of stories and experiences she encounters from different podcasts keeps things interesting.
Working with female entrepreneurs across various industries allows her to hear diverse stories, making each episode unique. Even though the process might be the same, the content is always different, and she finds herself constantly learning something new.
Business Development Journey
Next, we dive into Aleea’s business development journey. How has it been? Has she faced any major challenges along the way?
Absolutely. Aleea shared that she used to be quite extroverted, but working from home and in the online space has shifted her toward being more introverted. This change has made networking more difficult, especially since her business relies heavily on building relationships and finding clients. Referrals are great, but expanding a business requires active networking, which can be challenging when you’re more introverted. It’s something Aleea has struggled with and continues to work on, as it’s essential for growth but can be a tough battle to manage.
Transitioning from in-person to online networking is especially tricky because you’re competing for attention among billions of people. It’s easy to feel invisible. So, what advice does Aleea have for others facing similar challenges? What strategies have helped her overcome these obstacles?
First, she suggests putting fear aside, even though it’s difficult. Sometimes, you just have to take that leap of faith we discussed earlier. Remind yourself that you’re not alone—many others feel the same way.
Another key strategy for Aleea is creating a plan. She sets specific goals, like making it a priority to connect, reach out, or comment on others’ content at least three times a week. Having a plan and sticking to it can make a big difference.
But the hardest part is overcoming the fear. You have to remind yourself that you’re capable, and then just go for it. As a business owner, you’ll often need to try things that might not work out, but that’s part of the process—you try something else if the first attempt doesn’t succeed.
Aleea also emphasizes the importance of connecting with others in your industry, even if they might be targeting the same clients. It might seem counterintuitive, but these connections can provide motivation, and inspiration, and remind you that you’re not alone. Building relationships with peers who may not be potential clients can boost your confidence and help you feel more prepared to connect with those who could be.
Get better together because we are in a world where it's not competition anymore. We have space, there is business for everyone. So lean into your gift and get the support you need from your peers.
Sacrifices as an Entrepreneur
Did Aleea have to make sacrifices during her entrepreneurial journey?
Definitely. Interestingly, she feels that she sacrificed more as a virtual assistant than she does now as a podcast producer. The increased flexibility in podcasting has made a big difference.
As a virtual assistant, she was working for someone else, which meant less control over her schedule and clients. Now, running her own business, she has the freedom to choose who she works with and set her own hours. This flexibility has been a game-changer for her.
However, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been sacrifices. There are weekends, evenings, and even weekdays that she has had to give up to meet deadlines or complete important tasks. Even though she tries not to procrastinate, life happens, and sometimes sacrifices are necessary.
Another challenge has been finding balance. While she may not have had to sacrifice specific things, maintaining a good work-life balance has been difficult at times. Entrepreneurship comes with many unexpected demands, and managing those can be tough.
Self-Regulating as an Entrepreneur
Where did Aleea learn how to self-regulate?
For Aleea, the foundation for self-regulation began in college. During that time, she learned how to manage her responsibilities independently, especially after moving away from home. College required her to develop a sense of discipline and accountability, which helped her start self-regulating.
However, becoming an entrepreneur pushed her to refine those skills even further. Running a business brought her flaws in self-regulation to the surface, making it clear which areas needed improvement. As a business owner, the stakes are higher because others rely on you, especially when it comes to client work. So, while she had some experience with self-regulation from her college days, entrepreneurship demanded that she get much better at it.
Running a Business as a Partnership
What’s it like to build a business with a partner? How does it work when there are two people involved? Are their skills complementary?
Aleea believes that she and her partner complement each other well, with each bringing different strengths to the table. While she works full-time in the business, her partner is still in the corporate world, which also contributes to the partnership's success. Aleea handles the day-to-day operations and most of the client work, while her partner focuses on backend tasks. This division of roles allows them to work efficiently without clashing or struggling to define responsibilities.
One thing Aleea loves about being in a partnership is the support it provides. For many entrepreneurs, it can be daunting to do everything alone. Having a partner means she has someone to bounce ideas off of, to check in with, and to validate decisions. It’s like having an extra inner voice that offers reassurance and guidance.
Aleea doesn’t find the partnership particularly challenging, especially since they’ve been good friends for a long time. However, she does emphasize the importance of choosing the right partner. It’s important to work with someone who can navigate tough times with you and come out stronger on the other side. She believes that when you find the right person, a partnership can truly feel like a perfect match.
Life Outside of Work
The next question is about lifestyle. Aleea often mentioned the importance of flexibility in her schedule, so what does life look like for her outside of work?
Aleea shared that she probably should have gotten into podcast management earlier, back when she first started as a virtual assistant. At that time, she was actually traveling the country in a motorhome for six months. However, when the pandemic hit, she and her partner returned home, and now she primarily works from a home base. Although she doesn’t travel as much as she used to—which she misses—she’s content with where she is at this stage of her life.
Outside of work, Aleea enjoys spending time with her cats and dog, cooking, going outdoors, and tending to their garden. She also likes taking walks and keeping her lifestyle simple.
So, how was her experience working from a motorhome? Was it easy to manage?
It wasn’t as challenging as she expected, thanks to portable Wi-Fi. However, there were difficulties, like dealing with spotty internet or finding places with no service at all. But overall, it was manageable. The key was balancing work with exploration—setting aside time for both. It’s a lot of time management, especially as you move from place to place, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. She loved the experience and hopes to do it again in the future.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, what is Aleea's vision for herself and her business? And on a personal level, what would she love for her life?
She hopes to continue growing, like most people, but she’s not aiming to become too big. She’s content with where she is now but believes in the importance of continuous growth, improvement, and making progress.
One of her goals is to develop some passive income streams, something she hasn’t yet achieved but wants to explore. Additionally, she’s interested in doing more guest podcasting as a way to experiment, connect with others, and expand her horizons.
On a personal level, Aleea envisions growing her family and hopes to have children. She’s also excited about the possibility of getting into beekeeping and expanding her small garden.
Finances as an Entrepreneur
The final question touches on the financial side of entrepreneurship. Many entrepreneurs, especially women, often feel scared about dealing with numbers. What is Aleea’s relationship with money?
Aleea admits that she's still improving in this area. Like many female entrepreneurs, she’s experienced fear and anxiety around money—whether it's about meeting financial goals or simply managing the numbers. However, she’s made significant progress, recognizing that finances are an essential part of running a business. Sending out invoices, and ensuring payments are made—these tasks can be daunting, but she’s gotten much better at handling them.
She also reflects on how it can sometimes feel like men are naturally more comfortable with finances, but she’s learned to push through those mental blocks. She’s come to realize, “I can do this too,” and that it’s possible to approach money matters with kindness and respect. While it’s still a learning process, Aleea feels more confident and capable when it comes to managing her business finances.
To hear the full conversation with Aleea, tune in on your favorite podcast platform.
Connect with Aleea:
Website: www.goldengoosecreative.com
Instagram: @goldengoosecreative
Facebook: Golden Goose Creative
LinkedIn: Golden Goose Creative
Newsletter: https://www.goldengoosecreative.com/subscribe
Connect with Me:
Check out mine and Shannon’s upcoming Abundance in Love Retreat and Program: REGISTRATION For Retreat
Date Your Finances website: Lucie HAUTREUX
On Instagram:
Instagram (@lucielifeexperiences)Watch on YouTube:
Lucie Hautreux • Business Growth StrategistSign up for my weekly newsletter, Love Letters: Subscribe now to Lucie's Love Letters
