Hello, I'm Vanessa: Welcome to Virtually Vanessa T
Welcome to my very first blog post. If you've found your way here, you might be a small business owner with too much on your plate, or you might just be curious about what a virtual assistant actually does. Either way, I'm glad you're here.
I'd like to use this first post to introduce myself, explain how I work and show how I could help your business.
Who I am
I'm Vanessa, the person behind Virtually Vanessa T. I'm a sole trader based in Skegness, Lincolnshire, and I work with clients remotely.
Customer service and admin have run through my whole working life. I started out as an office junior and was promoted into the IT department. There I fixed technical problems, processed end-of-day reports for each branch and helped with the sales and purchase ledgers. Since then I've worked in a variety of office roles, including running the office for a parcel delivery company, supervising staff and looking after a school's computer network and ICT.
Small business has been part of my life for a long time too. I ran my own business promoting my work as a musician, which meant building the website, doing the advertising and keeping the books myself. Later, my husband and I ran our own café. He was the chef, and I was the manager, running front of house and the staff alongside the customer service, book keeping, payroll and promotion. During that time I completed an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship in Hospitality Services and a BTEC Level 3 Award in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Principles. Running a café showed me first-hand how much small business owners have to juggle.
How Virtually Vanessa T began
After we sold the café, I became an Independent 1:1 Diet Consultant. Before long, several other diet consultants asked if I could help with their social media. What started as a sideline grew into my virtual assistant business, which is now my main focus. It also brought me back to building websites, something I'd enjoyed doing years before.
All of this taught me how much of a business depends on the work that happens behind the scenes: keeping records up to date, answering emails, getting posts out on time, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
I've kept learning ever since. Qualifications that support my business work include:
Certified Digital Marketing Professional (DMI Pro) from the Digital Marketing Institute
Certificate in Advanced LinkedIn Sales Navigator Training
Certificate in Basic Book Keeping
NCFE in Desktop Publishing
City & Guilds in Photography
Certificate in Everyday Body Language
What a virtual assistant does
A virtual assistant (VA) gives you practical business support without the cost or
commitment of employing someone. I work remotely, so you get help when you need it without having to find desk space, run payroll or commit to fixed hours.
Most of my clients are small business owners who are very good at what they do but don't have the time, or the inclination, to handle everything else that comes with running a business. That's where I come in.
How I can help
My business services include:
Business administration: handling everyday admin so you can focus on growing your business.
Social media management: creating content, scheduling posts and keeping your online presence consistent across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Website design and updates: building a new website or keeping your existing one current.
Branded marketing materials: brochures, flyers, business cards, presentations and digital graphics.
Email marketing and automations: newsletters, email campaigns and automated customer journeys using Mailchimp.
CRM management: keeping your customer information organised and up to date.
Content creation and copywriting: website copy, blog posts, newsletters and other marketing content.
Research and data entry: gathering information and keeping your records accurate.
I work with tools many small businesses already use, including Canva, Mailchimp, Wix, FreeAgent, Google Workspace, Google Business Profile, Dropbox, Zoom and Meta Business Suite. If you use different tools, that's fine. I'm happy to learn your systems, or to recommend something simple if you're not sure where to start.
How working with me works
I keep things simple. I work on an hourly, pay-as-you-go basis, with no minimum contract and no deposit. You can come to me for a single task or for ongoing weekly support, whichever suits your business.
I track my time and invoice weekly, so you always know what you're paying for. I use a client portal to keep tasks organised and communication in one place, so you can see what I'm working on without chasing emails.
Beyond business support
Virtual assistance is the main focus of my business, but I offer two other services that some people find helpful.
Health and wellness support.
I've spent many years working in the weight loss sector, supporting slimmers to reach their goals. I'm now an Independent Consultant for The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, offering personal, one-to-one support to people who want to lose weight and build healthier habits. I hold The 1:1 Diet Expert Consultant Level Certificate, an IAO Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health, and an NLP Diploma for Weight Loss Consultants. I've also passed the Direct Selling Association (DSA) compliance accreditation. You can find out more on the Health & Wellness Coaching page of my website.
Life coaching.
I hold a Certificate in Life Coach Training (Distinction), which is CPD accredited. My coaching is about getting clear on what you want, building your confidence and putting a practical plan in place to reach your goals, whether they're personal or professional. I've also run training sessions for small business owners on tools like Canva and FreeAgent, along with sessions to help them stay on track with their own to-do lists. If you're interested in coaching, please get in touch through my contact page.
Why work with me?
I can't promise to transform your business overnight. What I can offer is reliable, friendly support from someone who understands small business and takes care to get things right.
I'll learn how you like things done, communicate clearly, and let you know if something needs your attention. My goal is to take tasks off your plate so you have more time for the parts of your business you enjoy.
What's next for this blog?
I'll be using this blog to share practical tips for small business owners, including:
simple ways to stay on top of admin
making social media more manageable
getting more from tools like Canva and Mailchimp
updates on how I'm helping businesses like yours
Let's talk
If you're spending too many evenings catching up on admin, or your social media keeps slipping down the to-do list, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch through the contact form on my website, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Tell me what you need help with, and we'll work out together whether I'm the right fit.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to Virtually Vanessa T.
Vanessa x
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