Both my parent's owned high street retail businesses throughout the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. I spent equal time in both from an infant age (they always had us helping out) but working for my father naturally evolved. Unknowingly I was absorbing what it took to run a business; the loyalty, dedication, forward thinking and importance of customer service.

By 12 years of age (1994) I was serving customers on the till.

At 15 I was cashing up and filling out Midland Bank paying in slips. Dad would watch as I walked down the road, to the bank, with pockets full of cash. I’d constantly be looking over my shoulder at him, only to see him smiling, with a thumb up for reassurance.

At 16, I was employed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals to work alongside the CFOs EA and, at 17 I went on to work in their Helpdesk ensuring IT calls logged were meeting SLAs.

After leaving the corporate world I went on to build solid admin foundations in smaller, growing businesses namely implementing ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System which has had a huge impact on how I now work. Ensuring the continual improvement and streamlining of processes is paramount.

Side Hustle 1
I was ahead of my game in my first venture. It's 2003 and I'm 21. I felt there was a gap in the market for businesses who needed ad-hoc admin support and I formed RAW Admin. The irony that 20 years later I'm doing it again! I gained a handful of self employed clients but I was young and undersold myself. It went nowhere, but it helped me pay my mortgage for a year or so.

Side Hustle 2
I went all in with my second venture and new side hustle. It's now 2007 and I'm 25. My father now owned a signwriting and printing business, which I wanted to utilise so, I purchased some swag and launched a business selling novelty printed merchandise.

• I learnt how to build a website.

• I began learning SEO.

• I learnt how to build production cost spreadsheets.

• I learnt how to manage cash flow.

• I wore all the hats.

• I was printing merchandise and earning royalties.

• I was shipping globally.

I was up against the big boys, margins were tight and it was labour intensive. I decided it wasn’t worth pursing a year into business.

I learnt valuable lessons throughout both of my solo adventures and the importance of building solid processes and admin foundations which supports a business as it grows.

Experience I can’t leave out. It's now 2013 and I'm 30. I move to London for an incredible job role supporting Virgin Galactic's first employee and Commercial Director Stephen Attenborough (I think he took a shine to my entrepreneurial efforts and I got the job as his EA - Stephen is now one of our valued clients).

I was observing team members:

• Build a world class brand

• Execute and maintain brand partnerships

• Assisting with marketing and production events, including the reveal of Spaceship Unity in the Mojave dessert. My career high to date.

• Managed 3 busy inboxes

• Extensive global calendar management

• Managed and relocated two offices

• Reduced budgets

It’s now 2024, I’m 41 with a family.

I’m more determined than ever, finally bringing my first true business vision to life. Why? Because admin is what I’m good at, it’s what I know, It’s what I’ve always done. With so much to give I launched iO nearly 1 year ago and it has gone from strength to strength. I am working with some amazing clients including c-suite execs and am hungry to support more whilst creating opportunities for more women like me, to re-enter the workforce.

I'm 100% committed to my work and my vision. I want iORGANISE to be your business Virtual Assistant 'go to' Agency and, I can't wait to hear from you!