Managing The Client Lifecycle as a VA or OBM with Michelle Broadbent

Managing The Client Lifecycle as a VA or OBM with Michelle Broadbent

From Seed to Success by Adrienne Donnelly

February 19, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

Adrienne Donnelly and Michelle Broadbent discuss managing the client lifecycle for VAs and OBMs, focusing on the importance of the stages following client onboarding.

Signing a new client feels exciting. The discovery call goes well, the proposal is accepted, and you’re officially “in”. But what happens after that? In our industry, we talk a lot about attracting and onboarding clients. And yes, those stages matter. But if you want a sustainable, profitable VA or OBM business, the real work and the real opportunity sits in everything that follows. In this episode, Adrienne Donnelly chats with Michelle Broadbent, business mentor and founder of Accountability Circle, about the four stages of the client lifecycle and how to manage each one with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Michelle works closely with female founders and brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what makes client relationships thrive, and what quietly causes them to unravel. Together, they unpack how to position yourself as a trusted partner, protect yourself with strong foundations, deepen retainer relationships, and confidently navigate renewals or endings when the time comes. You’ll hear about: 🌱 The four stages of the client lifecycle: Attract, Engage, Manage, and Renew (or Release) 🌱 Why positioning yourself as a business owner, not an employee, changes the…

People in this episode

Host: Adrienne Donnelly

Guest: Michelle Broadbent

Topics covered

  • client lifecycle
  • virtual assistant
  • online business manager
  • client relationships
  • business mentorship
  • female founders

Keywords

  • client lifecycle
  • VA
  • OBM
  • client relationships
  • business mentorship
  • renewals
  • boundaries
  • expectations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Accountability Circle

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