Season 6 Ep 6: Ashley Kay on Space, Grace, and Making Mistakes

Season 6 Ep 6: Ashley Kay on Space, Grace, and Making Mistakes

Author: Lisa Kuzman September 30, 2021 Duration: 43:39

If you've ever thought "Wow, Lisa really does ALL the things!" then this is the episode where you'll learn... I really, really don't. That's because I have Ashley Kay in my corner: the CEO and Founder of AK Virtual Assistant Services. After developing her talents for organization and project management in the corporate world for over a decade, Ash found herself craving more fulfillment. She began AK Virtual Assistant services in 2016, when she realized that supporting people isn't just what she does best — it's what she thrives on. 

And lucky me, I get to be one of those people! Ash and I have worked together for three and a half years now, and we have both grown, shifted, and faced our fair share of challenges along the way. So I was super pumped to have her on the show to talk about all that and so much more, including:

  • The hardest part of leaving behind the "hustle and grind" mentality 
  • Building a team and giving up control as an entrepreneur
  • Transparency as a way to honor yourself and those around you
  • Creating a safe container for people to flourish and to flop
  • Her advice to other leaders and entrepreneurs

"Entrepreneurship is not easy. Running a team is not easy. I carry the weight of my team every day. [...] That heaviness can get to me, but I think it's important to remember that you're not alone, and there are other people you can talk to, or lean on for advice. On the days when you feel like giving up, or like you're the worst leader in the world? Just remember that you are doing your best."

Ash, thank you so much for being on the show today and everything that you shared! I consider myself so lucky knowing that you and your team have my back. If you'd like to learn more about Ash and AK Virtual Assistant Services, check out https://www.akvirtualassistant.com/.

So, my fellow leaders and entrepreneurs, how did this land for you? Don't forget, you can always book a call with me over at https://lisakuzman.com, or send an email to podcast@lisakuzman.com. And of course, if you want to join the larger conversation, that's all happening in my trauma sensitive leadership group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764082764458292/

We'd love to see you there!


There's a quiet shift happening in how we think about authority and influence, and New Wave Leadership Podcast is right at the heart of it. Host Lisa Kuzman believes traditional, top-down leadership models have run their course, proving ineffective for today's complex world. Instead, this movement champions a much broader, more inclusive vision. Each episode digs into the real, often unspoken challenges that come with stepping into a role of influence, whether you're in a corner office, a community group, or simply leading your own life. The conversations here actively work to expand our definition of who gets to be a leader, arguing passionately for the necessity of diverse identities, perspectives, and lived experiences at the helm. You'll hear frank discussions about authenticity, the personal hurdles leaders navigate behind closed doors, and practical ideas for cultivating your own unique leadership identity without conforming to outdated standards. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary dialogue-one that moves beyond theory to explore what it genuinely means to show up and make an impact on your own terms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Wave Leadership Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Season 6 Ep 9: Creating a New Wave in Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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When I first entered the business owner space eight years ago, I noticed a trend: old school vs. new school. And we've talked about this on the podcast before — how I wanted to lead from a place that felt authentic and a…
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Duration: 46:40
My guest this week is your conduit for all things transformation, embodiment, and leadership: The Brittany R. Williams, Transformational Embodiment Coach and Sex Doula. Brittany supports leaders and highly ambitious folk…
Season 6 Ep 7: Do You Know How to Be Happy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Season 6 Ep 5: Visibility, Vulnerability, Victory! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:01
Question for my fellow entrepreneurs out there: how do you feel about photoshoots? Before I took up my leadership mantle, the only time I'd had professional photos was the first time I got married. Now, though? I do phot…
Season 6 Ep 4: Navigating a "Stretchy" Year with Vangile Makwakwa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:21
This is a longer interview than usual, but I have a feeling you're going to love every minute of it — I know I sure did! My guest this week is Vangile Makwakwa, who helps women of color heal ancestral money trauma so the…
Season 6 Ep 3: Examining Your Trauma Responses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:39
Let's connect some more dots this week, shall we? My goal here is to offer you something to consider the next time you're in a stressful situation, feeling activated, or in conflict. When you have more awareness and unde…
Season 5 Ep 19: Perfectionism, Control, and Making Important Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:15
Like everyone under the sun, I make mistakes sometimes — and most of the time, they really don't bother me. Typo in an email? I get a fact wrong in a podcast? Come off a little blunt during a conversation? Not a big deal…