Philippa Pearson

The story of Witts End Business Services started after I had been
working for the NHS and took some time out to support my mother who had, had an accident.  It was quite by chance that I thought about setting up as a VA, initially I looked at have a VA Franchise but felt why spend a large amount of money for a certain location, when one has
to find your own clients, when I  myself could start my own VA
business,  learn something in the process of setting up my own small business and accomplish something for myself.

At the time I was doing some market research online and found VACT and had an initial talk with Amanda, which was really useful and I think helped me make my decision to move forward with setting up as a VA. This was all prior to GDPR coming or was about to come in so one of the things that I had on my list to do was do a GDPR course.

When I started my business I did have some savings but for the first year I did work full time on temporary basis as well, which seemed to work well together

At the same time I was looking at various business names and the
thinking behind “Witts End Business Services” was an existing business owner, wearing a multitude of hats and at his “Wit’s End” knowing which way to turn due to his workload, running out of time and the
every ending to do list.  That is where Witts End Business Services could assist busy professionals and business owners with their day to day diary management, business admin, being the main point of contact and helping them lighten their workload.

The thing that inspired me to be a Virtual Assistant was being my own boss and doing something for myself, but in addition I think that it was the support, useful contact and help from Amanda as well that also helped me with things.  Thank you very much Amanda.

Initially I also carried out some local research to see if there were
many other VAs within my area, and also thought about a business niche which I would like to support.  I thought that initially it would be better to include the services that I knew and had worked with over my
corporate career, as a PA, Secretary, Project Admin, Administrator and also business areas where transferable skills could be utilised as well.

With regards to establishing my business I had the idea, business
name, and a GDPR course to study.  I also joined the Federation of Small Businesses as well at the early stage in setting up my business, they were holding local networking meetings which I started attending.

One of my local networking groups was involved with the local Chamber of Commerce who were looking to start the Chamber up again.  At the
time I asked if they needed any assistance with anything I would be happy to help.  I was then asked a couple of weeks later at a meeting if I would be interested in being the Secretary which I said yes to immediately.  They were looking at re-starting and launching again with an AGM in a couple of months’ time.  I found the time in working with the Chamber extremely rewarding and very interesting especially
being the main point of contact, liaising with the other local
businesses and organising the monthly meetings and events.  I even hosted a Recruitment Meeting for local businesses which included four speakers, from a HR business area, Employment solicitor, two members from Reed Recruitment and a person who specialised in retaining staff etc.  It was well received and very rewarding to arrange.

Once I had my logo designed and finalised I then looked into
trademarking my business name, the IPO were extremely helpful and I found the whole experience of trademarking my business extremely helpful, an area of work which I had not done previously.  I think that my only previous contact with the IPO or Patient Office was about
20 years previously when they were based in London and I went to do some research for a local community group.

With regards to finding clients, I did a lot of networking both
through the FSB and with another national networking group which held meetings locally as well.  I have also joined a local networking group
for nearly a year but that did not really generate any leads.  In
addition to the above I have also placed advertisements in local
village and parish magazines which may or may not have resulted in any leads.

One thing that I have found since having my own business at the start here is all the excitement in setting up your own business and
getting started, marketing, networking etc but although I knew that there would be highs and lows in getting clients, it was really the quiet (low) times which I have felt one must be far more aware of.

Building a business is not easy, sometimes it feels like pushing an
elephant up a hill, it takes the “like, know, trust” element and take each day as it comes.  They say that things can change quickly with a chance phone call or conversation with someone.

There is one thing that is not generally known about me is that I have had the opportunity to sail on a working boat from the south coast down to Vigo, across the Bay of Biscay – a real adventure and great fun.

The best book that I have read, in fact there are a couple,  the first
one is SORTED!: Essential systems for successful small businesses, by Alice Jennings and the second one is by Rachel Spencer entitled
“Publicity Tips for Pet Businesses, How to be visible and win media coverage”.  Both are available on Amazon.

With regards to personal development, as a person I am always very keen to undertake any training that will help in my business, this include undertaking any ad hoc training in my own time especially if I
know that I will be using a new piece of software or an application in a new role, so that I have an understanding of that piece of software/application to work proactively in my new role.

My hopes for the future for my business are to remain on the steady course that it is currently taking.  As a person I am very interested in dogs, horses and anything do do with the countryside and over the
last couple of months I have been thinking of slightly diversifying
with Witts End Business Services to look at supporting pet related
business owners with diary management, main point of contact, administration and organisation, the same at I do through Witts End with “Ottapaws Pet Business Admin Support”, which would be part of and encompassed under the Witts End Business Services name.  My interest in the countryside has over the last several years been a subscribing
member of IAGSA (Farm Secretaries) and I would like to look at continuing some training through their Farm Administration training
courses as well, on my bucket list!

Website:- https://www.wittsendbusinessservices.co.uk

Pinterest:- https://uk.pinterest.com/business/hub/

Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/WittsEndBusinessServices/