How did I get here?

So, how did I get here?

2010 saw the start of the austerity cuts by the government. At this time, I had been with HM Customs & Excise, through its guises in HMRC and ultimately UK Border Force, for 25 years. I had a fantastic career in Customs, working in Investigation and on the legal side. But times were changing and cuts meant the job wasn’t what it used to be and so in August 2010, when we were all asked if we would like to be considered for voluntary redundancy, I made the enquiry. October 22nd 2010 exactly 25 years to the day, was when I left the civil service along with many good friends and colleagues.

After a dabble of self-employment as a Customs Consultant I wanted a change. I have always been the ‘go-to’ person in work and at home. I was the one to set up and put in place new systems, the problem solver, improved ways of working, draft standard letters, fix someone’s computer, deal with probate for a friend, find people a great loan or credit deal, arrange holidays….. you get the picture.

A friend of a friend was struggling with the paperwork and the back office side of their business and clients were beginning to complain. I offered to help out – for a good hourly rate and it worked. I really enjoyed it, organising all the company’s administration, dealing direct with customers, email management and bookkeeping to name but a few services I offer this business. I was a natural at this. At the time I had never heard of a Virtual Assistant but Google helped me realise that’s what I was. You can see further details of this client on my case study page.

I started working from the small third bedroom at home, until I realised I had to lose the bed in the second bedroom and set up a proper office in there – complete with electric standing desk! I also asked my husband to leave his job and come and help me – he did and we work great together. He even gets his monthly payslip

I embarked on networking and built up a good client base and I can honestly say since starting this venture I have never looked back. I love my job and am incredibly motivated by it and helping others. I love learning new things, for example, I now do brochure websites and bookkeeping.

I’ve watched so many people’s businesses grow because they can now go out and meet new customers, get new business and expand. No one goes into business to do the paperwork – unless you are a Virtual Assistant of course and I am proud to say I am.