In 1995, I started a home typing service while being a mum at home. It was my ideal – to be able to earn alongside a growing family and be my own boss. I relied on sporadic referrals from a local stationery store and also picked up some virtual work from an outsourcing company. I hadn’t realized at the time that it was a perfect start for a business. I was happy for a while, yet I didn’t fully understand the commitment and learning needed. Being inexperienced, I also lacked the confidence in my ability to set boundaries and develop a consistency in my efforts that would have had me well established today. I felt alone.
As soon as the girls started school, I decided that being ‘employed’ would give me greater structure to my day, so I took various part-time roles outside of the PA roles I knew so well. This gave me scope to develop myself. I realised I loved variety! Being able to take on managerial and customer-facing roles and being part of a team was satisfying. I relished the additional skills gained and experiences offered.
Yet that wasn’t enough. As soon as full-time work was possible, I put myself back into the PA support role that I knew well. However, armed with a whole new set of skills, I progressed swiftly to a more senior role.
I’ve been lucky with the people I’ve worked with. I look back and am so grateful to those who have helped me along my journey, offering me experiences and nurturing my progress. I feel privileged to have started a career in the late 80s, witnessing changes in working practices and technology leading the way. Adapting practices and embracing ‘change’ as a constant.
As we approach 2025, I look back at my experiences that have brought me to this moment. Having launched my business this year, I am grateful for so much. It’s taken me a 30-year journey to reach a point where I feel accomplished and ‘accredited’ to be a business support specialist. Partnered with SmartPA, who have given me the steps to take me from employee to potential employer and Director of my own company.
SmartPA offers a wide range of services to support businesses of all sizes. Their virtual assistants can help with diary and email management, transcription, typing, and document production. They also provide specialist services such as executive assistance, HR and employment support, bookkeeping, supplier management, CRM management, social media, and marketing support. This comprehensive suite of services ensures that businesses can focus on their core activities while SmartPA handles the administrative tasks efficiently.
I am excited. I can offer my knowledge and full set of PA skills and experience to other businesses; those established or to humbly support pioneers taking their first steps in building their business concepts. I feel in such a unique position and am excited about the people and businesses I’ve yet to come across and meet. The challenges will be many, no matter how experienced. I’ve learned and I continue to learn. There will be pitfalls and mistakes, yet I’m kinder to myself. I’m my own champion and a champion to others. I question things, give myself reality checks and honesty, welcome feedback, and celebrate where I’ve been and where I’m going. I’m confident to be creative, offer ideas, encouragement, and enthusiasm.
Why SmartPA? It echoed a lot of my needs, filled in gaps, and offers so much more: “Everything we do is about transforming perceptions, disrupting tradition, and promoting human equity. SmartPA is committed to empowering and getting women back to work, and to improving the lives of the disadvantaged around the world.”
To discover how I can help your business grow with tailored administrative and PA support, please get in touch iuladepalmarocha@smartpasupport.com