Episode 256
From Corporate Cage to Fractional Freedom | Joanna Zhang on Building a VA Empire with Heart
Most entrepreneurs start with big dreams but get trapped doing everything themselves—burning out on admin work, marketing tasks, and endless to-dos that steal the joy of running their business.
They want to scale but can’t afford full-time help. Hiring VAs feels risky and time-consuming. And trying to “do it all” often leads to exhaustion, poor results, and stalled growth.
In this empowering episode, Jeff Kikel talks with Joanna Zhang, founder of Operations Genie, about how she escaped the corporate grind as a financial planner to create a globally recognized, award-winning fractional VA model. Joanna reveals how her plug-and-play team system helps business owners grow faster, stay in their genius zone, and find freedom—without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways:
• How Joanna went from corporate financial planner to entrepreneur and founder of Operations Genius.
• Why burnout and frustration pushed her to create a new model for business support.
• How her “fractional VA” system won global recognition for innovation
• Why energy management is more important than time management.
• The spiritual awakening that helped her align leadership, business, and purpose.
• How AI can empower—not replace—creative collaboration in business.
• Why building systems that support both growth and soul alignment is the future.
• The three layers of freedom: physical, emotional, and spiritual—and how to achieve them.
About the Guest:
Joanna Zhang is the award-winning founder of The Operations Genius and creator of the world’s first Fractional VA Service, a revolutionary approach to operational support that gives entrepreneurs the flexibility, accountability, and expertise they nee, without the overhead of a full-time or part-time team. Recently honoured with the 2024 Stevie International Business Award for innovation, Joanna has transformed the way small business owners and thought leaders scale sustainably.
She began her entrepreneurial journey not as a consultant, but by building a support team for her own ventures. Seeing how her systems, structure, and human-centred leadership could help others, she opened these resources to fellow entrepreneurs, creating a business model that marries operational precision with empathy and conscious leadership.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhang-joanna/
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I would first reflect on why my business was gone. Everything happens for a reason. If I can learn from it, I can grow. Then I’d ask, what value can I bring to others? I’d start again creatively and gratefully, because just being alive is already enough to begin.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I would first reflect on why my business was gone. Everything happens for a reason. If I can learn from it, I can grow. Then I’d ask, what value can I bring to others? I’d start again creatively and gratefully, because just being alive is already enough to begin.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “If you’re spiritual—Conversations with God. If you’re logical—The Power of Now. Both help you connect your mind, heart, and energy to reach your genius zone.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “My phone notepad. Simplicity is key. I capture ideas, images, and plans instantly—everything’s synced in the cloud so I can work anywhere.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to wake up any day and set your own schedule. To work when you want, be with your kids, take vacations, or go for a run in the middle of the day. Freedom isn’t money—it’s time and choice.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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