It's time to refocus
VA maven Nicky Myers started her company a little over two years ago. Nicky's company, VA-UK has gone from strength to strength. Now she is offering her help and support to others.
Nicky has been talking to a lot of people who have either been furloughed, experienced redundancy, or have been through professional, not to mention personal changes, some through choice, others not.
A family friend contacted me the other day via WhatsApp. It surprised me that he was aware of the platform. Working in Hotel Management, he has a few more years until retirement, but he was furloughed by his employer several months ago. With some help from his daughter he was able to manage a simple voice call via the app on his mobile phone. When I asked him how he was, he said something which took me by surprise. Although he hadn’t really given it a great deal of thought, what he said was quite succinct and profound.
We exchanged the usual pleasantries and then he told me that he was finding things very difficult but admitted that he was one of the lucky ones. We talked about the global pandemic at great length. Most of what we discussed was pretty unsettling to say the very least. He said he woke up each morning “too early” following the same pattern every day. Opening the blinds, turning on the lights (as it was still dark) and making his early morning cup of tea. Then he would check the news and turn on his mobile phone to see if anyone had contacted him by text message, which they usually hadn’t. Not being computer savvy, he found it difficult to navigate the iPad his daughter had recently bought him, but with some help he was able to see what his friends were up to on Facebook. The entire process would occupy maybe 60 minutes. Then it was time for his second cup of tea and a cigarette (much to the chagrin of his daughter) while he pondered and thought about the day ahead.
He told me that he hadn’t been out in a long time and although he sympathised with many other people around the globe who were a lot worse off, he was finding it difficult to cope.
Then he said these words; “I am so bored that I’m thinking of breaking the widows just so that I can repair them”.
My immediate thought was wow! This one sentence says it all. My response was a little predictable but it gave me pause for thought when our conversation was over. Here was a man in good health, his mind was as sharp as a razor but he had lost his sense of purpose. He had reached the stage where he was thinking, “What’s the point?”
I thought about this at length. Then I thought about the millions of others in similar situations. Unable to leave their homes, unable to meet with their friends and loved ones. Trapped in their own space. Some without a job, many without a garden and living in cramped spaces. I then thought about my own situation. It is by any measure not at all bad. Sure, I am working from home like zillions of others but I have a career, I have a sense of purpose, a supportive partner (and a pup who helps to motivate me and force me to take regular breaks!).
I’ve learned to adapt to the pandemic. But thinking about how long this may last, I have to admit that there are times when I feel a little “low”. Lockdown restrictions may be around for quite some time. There will be no return to “normal” only a “new normal”.
The flip side of the pandemic is that many have seen this as a golden opportunity and with more free time on their hands, have taken advantage of the lockdown by re-evaluating their career and seeking business alternatives. It's also interesting to note that although traditional trading companies are struggling to survive, shuttered due to the pandemic, virtual businesses are flourishing. So perhaps now it’s time to refocus despite all the ups and downs, and continue to push the boundaries further, whether starting a new physical business or working remotely, and take a positive approach as you navigate the world in a flux.
Setting up on your own
I 've been talking to a lot of people who have either been furloughed, experienced redundancy, or have been through professional, not to mention personal changes, some through choice, others not.
Some of these individuals are telling me that they are now setting up ‘on their own’ and whilst this is an incredible opportunity (one I am certainly pleased I took) there are SOOO many things to think about and consider, some of which can be somewhat daunting.
So, where does one start?
As business owners we inevitably wear many hats; we are marketers, networkers, client / service providers, designers, presenters, to name just a few. There are many things to think about, whilst having to actually offer the service at hand as effectively and efficiently as possible, whilst building a brand and reputation for yourself, and let’s be honest, we can’t be everything to everyone.
Whether moving away from the corporate world or from being an employee, we often have a boss, wider teams, IT support, who are all at the ready when we need them, to offer their expertise and share their knowledge. We come together to collaborate, work through projects and of course to re-group for those well needed coffees! But starting your own business can be very different- it needs thought, preparation and planning, but IS achievable.
With hindsight, perhaps I could have done some things differently, but with a lot of research, time, great people around me, perseverance and belief in myself (again with the help from many) I learnt along the way, giving 150% through and through. Today, I am fortunate enough to say I have a successful and thriving business. I work with some incredible people that make it all possible, from client side, to the wider team, not to mention my suppliers. I am confident when I say, I would NEVER turn back time. I am so pleased I made the leap and decided to ‘go it alone’!
I do appreciate that whilst setting up my own business; VA-UK was a choice for me, which was some years ago and not during a global pandemic. That said, it was a true turning point and something which taught me many things (and I’m still learning daily!).
Here are just a few things that spring to mind that I had to think about when first starting VA-UK:
- Do I create a Website and if so, where do I start and who do I use?
- How much do I Charge, what price plans can I offer and what will my outgoing costs be?
- What Insurance do I need / want?
- Do I service my own Accounts, or do I get a professional in?
- How and where do I Market myself?
- How do I Brand myself?
- How do I start my Business Plan?
- Do I need to Recruit or Outsource?
- What Email Account should I use?
- How and where should I Blog?
- How do I get started on Social Media?
- How and where do I Network?
- How do I register with HMRC, either as a Sole Trader or Limited?
- Should I register at my home address or have an ‘office’ PO Box?
- How do I split my Time between client work, meetings and my own admin?
Help is there!
Asking for help isn’t always easy. It often feels like a failure, a last resort – but perhaps the silver lining here is a learning process and all of life’s blessings that may come along with it, are possible.
Maybe it’s time to get out of your own head – problems can seem much bigger there – and exchange thoughts with others. More often than not, people are willing to shift things to make things happen for you. You just have to ask for help.
If you are looking for help or support, are thinking about starting out on your own, or want to know more about having an online business, please take a look at the website, the Blog articles, peruse the services on offer and please get in touch if we can be of help!
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"COVID-19 is not going to disappear anytime soon. Nor are the lockdown restrictions. |
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Nicky Myers - Virtual Assistant and founder of VA-UK |
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