No, that isn’t a typo. I've just sold the VA Handbook to a graduate of my DIY VA course and someone I greatly admire.

I know this may come as a surprise, so let me explain why I made this decision, who I chose to pass the reins to, and what happens next.

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Wow, that’s unexpected. Why did you decide to sell the company, Jo?

There are many reasons why I decided now was the right time for me to move on.

First, while I am phenomenally proud of everything I have built, after spending 17 years in the same industry, I’m ready for a new challenge and want to see what else I can achieve.

Second, I moved to Scotland last year in search of a slower, more intentional pace of life, and work is a huge part of that.

Finally, it became clear to me that I could not take the VA Handbook and all of you to the next level without either burning out or building a team.

I’ve done the first one multiple times now, and I have never wanted to do the second.

But do you know who has always wanted to build a team?

The new owner.

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Who did you sell to, and why did you choose them?

I’d known for some time that I was ready for a change, but I was so busy running the company that I had no mental space or time to work out what that change might even look like, let alone begin building it.

It hadn’t actually occurred to me to sell the business, but once it did, there was only one person I thought of, and she was the only person I contacted.

Holly Copsey.

Holly is the perfect person to take over the VA Handbook:

• As a graduate of my DIY VA course, Holly is already familiar with my audience, products, community, and the values that shape the VA Handbook.
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• She runs a multi-award-winning VA agency and regularly recruits VAs from the Handbookers and trainee-only Facebook groups.
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• We share the same views on the standards that should be upheld in the VA industry.
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• I have always admired Holly’s business acumen, integrity, and ambition. She’s currently taking part in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, and the ideas, insights, and experience she gains will have a positive impact on both the business and all of you.
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• Holly also brings a wealth of skills and experience that will be hugely valuable to my audience. As a mother of two, she also understands the realities of balancing a business with family life and excels at helping VAs to grow teams.

And finally, Holly has a team of her own.

In our YouTube interview last year, Holly said she’d always known that she wanted to grow a team, whereas I always knew that I didn’t.

That matters because with the support and infrastructure she already has in place, Holly has the resources to take the VA Handbook to a whole new level without burning out.

The main reason I chose her, though, was simple.

I wanted the business I had built and the audience I care so deeply about to be in safe hands.

The VA Handbook has a stellar reputation, and I'm not going to hand my readers, group members, and Rock Star trainees over to just anyone.

It has to be to someone really special. Someone I trust to take good care of everything I have built.

I’m 100% confident Holly will take the business I have put blood, sweat and tears into growing and make it even better.

I’ve taken the VA Handbook as far as I can on my own, and Holly has the skills, experience, and resources to take it even further.

​Find out more about Holly Copsey and connect.​

Holly and I have recorded a short video interview where I talk more about my decision, and you get to meet her properly. This podcast will be published in the VA Handbookers Facebook group tomorrow.
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Will the VA Handbook drastically change?

Only in the sense that it will become even better.

I’m staying on to write the monthly Espresso AI newsletter, and Holly has plans to introduce in-person events, mentoring, financial guidance, and advice on building a team.
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I’m one of your Rock Star trainees. What happens next?

You’ll find a personal video message from me in your Rock Stars Facebook group shortly, and Holly will also record her own introductory video for you.

She has plans to move the monthly live Q&A sessions to an evening slot and will ask for your input, but nothing in the DIY VA course will change - you're still in exceptionally good hands!

Holly is an exceptional VA, trainer and mentor. She has the knowledge, credibility, and practical experience to support you and will be invaluable to your VA journey.
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So, what’s next for you, Jo?

Great question.

Much of April will be spent ensuring a smooth handover. Alongside drafting the next edition of Espresso AI (which I’ve pushed back until next week), I plan to rest, reflect, paint, read, do some photography, and take long walks with my dog Monty.

There is also a personal project I’m quietly working on. It’s still in the planning stages, but once I’ve taken some time out to rest, I’m going to give it my full attention.

Whatever I do next, though, it will be aligned with the slower, more intentional life I came to Scotland to build.

If you’d like to see what I do next, feel free to follow me on LinkedIn. ​

If you know anything about me at all, it’s that I've always believed life’s too short not to live your own wild and precious life exactly how you want.

It’s now time for me to take my own advice.

Thank you so much for being part of my journey. Your support has meant more than you’ll ever know.

Building the VA Handbook has been one of the most important and rewarding parts of my life, and I’m leaving it with genuine excitement for what comes next, both for myself and for all of you under Holly’s leadership.

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PS: For any VA Handbook-related questions, hit reply or email the VA Handbook’s wonderful VA Anna at support@thevahandbook.com. I ask that you not use my personal email or message me on Facebook, please.​
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