Podcast Summary: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Episode: SIDE-HUSTLE SUMMER W/ YOUR BEHIND THE SCENES BFF KATE
Release Date: May 27, 2025

Hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John welcome listeners to another engaging episode of "The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz." This episode, titled "Side-Hustle Summer with Your Behind the Scenes BFF Kate," delves into the world of virtual assisting (VA) and side hustles, providing valuable insights and actionable advice for moms looking to balance work and family life.

1. Casual Catch-Up and Summer Hacks (00:03 - 19:33)

The episode begins with Kelly and Lizz engaging in their trademark lighthearted banter about daily routines, meal prepping, and summer activities. They discuss:

• Meal Prep Tips: Lizz shares her journey into creating a healthier tuna salad recipe with the help of ChatGPT, emphasizing high-protein and low-calorie ingredients. (01:14)

  Liz: "That's a lot of protein."

• Summer Socializing: Kate recounts a family trip to Arizona, highlighting a perfect summer meal combining elements of Thanksgiving with fresh, seasonal ingredients. (04:15 - 05:45)

  Kate: "It's a perfect meal. No notes."

• Drink of the Summer: The conversation shifts to mojitos, with Kate praising their versatility and ease of making both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. (05:57 - 07:28)

  Liz: "Mojito is classy."

• Garage Transformation: Lizz discusses her innovative approach to utilizing the garage as a multifunctional space for workouts and family activities. (12:42 - 19:33)

  Liz: "I'm transforming now. I know not everyone has a garage, but for those who do, it's an unsung hero."

2. Introducing the Side Hustle Summer Series (19:34 - 20:49)

Lizz announces the launch of the "Side Hustle Summer" series, aiming to spotlight creative side hustles that moms can pursue to earn extra income without compromising their family time. Kate, a virtual assistant expert and Lizz’s best friend, is introduced as the first guest in this series.

Liz: "We're starting with Kate because she started out as a virtual assistant, and now she teaches people how to become virtual assistants."
Kate: "Being a VA is a legit job, and you can do it."

3. Kate’s Journey to Becoming a Virtual Assistant (20:50 - 26:25)

Kate shares her personal story of transitioning from a teaching career to becoming a virtual assistant:

• Background in Education: With a master’s in education, Kate initially aspired to change the world through teaching but felt a need for a different path.
• Introduction to Online Business: Her foray into network marketing introduced her to the online business landscape, sparking her interest in virtual assisting.
• Starting as a VA: Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Kate leveraged her skills to assist others, eventually creating a program to teach fellow moms how to become VAs.

Kate: "If you have a VA, you can start totally brand new with nothing."
Liz: "That's amazing. I love that you combined your passion for teaching to bring it into the space to teach other women."

4. How to Start as a Virtual Assistant (26:26 - 33:42)

Kate provides actionable steps and essential skills for those interested in becoming VAs:

• Identify Transferable Skills: Emphasizes recognizing both hard and soft skills that are valuable in a VA role.

Kate: "You already have the skills that you need in order to be a VA. It's just looking at it from a different perspective."

• Pitching Yourself Effectively: Shares strategies for confidently approaching potential clients, including being specific and personable in pitches.

Kate: "Actually be specific. Number one, one of the best pitches that I got… she was like, I can really help you with these graphics."

• Determining Your Rate: Advises beginners to start at around $20/hour, adjusting based on experience and specialization.

Liz: "If you're a VA, like, what could $300 a month do for you?"
Kate: "I recommend they start at $20 an hour because they are getting a foundation of education through the program."

5. Personal Experiences with Virtual Assistants (33:43 - 39:47)

Host Lizz shares her positive experiences working with her VA, Maddie:

• Delegation and Growth: Lizz highlights how Maddie has evolved from handling simple tasks to taking on more responsibilities, significantly easing Lizz’s workload.

Liz: "She's so good about… she keeps my life together."
Kate: "Take ownership and treat the business as your own."

• Building Trust: Discusses the importance of clear communication and trust in a virtual working relationship.

Liz: "When she asked if she could handle additional tasks, I said yes, and it worked out perfectly."

6. Addressing Common Questions and Misconceptions (39:48 - 42:54)

The conversation tackles the impact of AI on the VA industry:

• AI vs. Human VAs: Kate reassures that AI cannot replace the personal touch and problem-solving abilities that human VAs bring to the table.

Liz: "AI is not lazy. There's a lot of creativity and ingenuity that comes out of laziness."
Kate: "People need people. AI can't forecast that Kelly needs help getting the Christmas gifts together."

7. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (42:55 - 47:11)

As the episode winds down, Kate shares a favorite family-friendly recipe:

• 15-Minute Chili Recipe: Kelly presents an easy, crowd-pleasing chili recipe perfect for busy families, highlighting its simplicity and popularity among her kids.

Kelly: "When you get older, I have no idea how we're gonna keep everything stocked, so chili is a lifesaver."
Liz: "Chili's not the perfect summer meal, but it's easy."

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Kate for her insights and a reminder for listeners to subscribe and share the podcast.

Kelly: "Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz."
Liz: "Follow Kate at yourBFFKate and come back next week for more Side Hustle Summers."

Key Takeaways:

• Virtual Assisting as a Viable Side Hustle: VAs offer flexible work opportunities that can be tailored to fit a mom’s schedule, providing both income and personal fulfillment.
• Essential Skills for VAs: Recognizing and leveraging transferable soft and hard skills, such as organization, communication, and proficiency with tools like Canva.
• Effective Pitching Strategies: Personalization, specificity, and follow-up are crucial for successfully landing VA clients.
• Human Element in VA Work: The irreplaceable value of human creativity, problem-solving, and personal connection in the VA role.

This episode is a must-listen for moms seeking to explore side hustles that offer flexibility and growth, illuminated by Kate’s expertise and personal experiences.