From Corporate Hustle to Virtual Assistant and Web Designer: My Story

Embarking on a journey as a Virtual Assistant and web designer is both exhilarating and daunting. Having spent years in the bustling city of London, I honed my skills in administrative, organisational, technical, and creative realms. Transitioning from the corporate world of law and finance to becoming a dedicated mum and home educator has been a profound shift.

During this transformative period, I ensured my skills never went to waste. I immersed myself in researching and planning lessons, organising and booking educational trips, managing a busy learning and social calendar, and even running various groups. Alongside these, I ventured into small businesses, such as selling children’s clothes.

I may not hold titles like accountant, lawyer, or compliance officer, but my extensive experience in law firms and my role as a compliance officer in an investment bank have equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. Additionally, my journey includes setting up small businesses, from running an online children’s clothing company to assisting my husband in establishing a development firm and founding my own VA company.

Throughout this journey, I’ve realised the paramount importance of mental health and self-care. Activities like taking walks in nature, bird watching, and fishing have become my sanctuary. These moments allow me to escape the digital frenzy, clear my mind, and reduce stress. They provide a refreshing break, giving me the clarity to reflect on my goals and aspirations and return to work with renewed energy.

Family holds a special place in my heart. Watching my daughter grow up so quickly, it’s been crucial to be present during those precious moments. I feel incredibly honoured to have had the opportunity to home-educate her and witness her transformation into a mature, kind, and independent young woman.

With my daughter now older and more independent, I find myself with more time to build something meaningful for myself. My mission is to help small business owners reclaim their family time by taking on some of their workload. Whether it’s organising, managing small tasks, or collaborating on creative projects to help establish and grow their dreams, I’m here to provide unwavering support.

I have helped many clients streamline their operations and reclaim their time. For instance, Roxy, a technophobe, struggled with setting up and managing her website. With my help, she found the perfect website format and communicated effectively about layout and content, and now her clients rave about how user-friendly her site is. By taking care of these tasks, I freed up her time, allowing her to focus on growing her business and spending quality time with her family.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a client to create a stunning Squarespace website for her Reiki healing business. We delved into selecting colours, and fonts, and designing the website layout to bring her vision to life. However, I noticed she was overwhelmed with the myriad tasks involved in setting up a business. She was sifting through pages of notes, feeling unsure of her ability to get everything up and running. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I offered my assistance.

I helped her with ICO data registration, purchasing a domain name, designing a logo, and researching business bank accounts, insurance, and contracts tailored to her business. Additionally, I set up a calendar and scheduling system, integrated an online payment system, and registered her with HMRC. We meticulously worked through every word and decision to draft a privacy policy. We discussed document storage, template setups, accounting systems—you name it.

This experience made me realise how much I enjoy supporting those crucial initial steps of building a business. Consequently, I’ve decided to offer Business Setup as a comprehensive package for my clients.

If you’re embarking on your entrepreneurial journey or know someone who needs support, please reach out. I’m here to help you bring your dreams to life.

Balancing work and personal life while running a business is undoubtedly a challenge, but it’s essential. How do you relax and recharge amidst your busy schedule?

If you would like to learn more about me, click here.