“It’s great to be able to work for yourself but the fact that SmartPA support you in setting up your business and getting started makes it less daunting to make the leap.”

The majority of my working life has been in the public sector, the NHS in the main. I spent 23 years working for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, firstly as a PA at Deputy Director level and then six years as an Executive Assistant at Board level. I have worked mainly for the Director of HR and Medical Director but have also supported the Director of Nursing and Finance Director during my time at the Trust. Prior to joining the NHS I briefly worked for a financial consultant and then went on to work for the local council before landing my first job with the NHS.

I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted as a SmartPA partner. SmartPA has given me the best of both worlds, I have a business that is my own but with the benefit of a bonus client to allow my business to get a head start. There is also the option of paid work also which made a huge difference to me when making the decision to leave my job.

Almost immediately I was offered partner support work for a client in Brussels which is an opportunity I would never have had before. This was a really good first client for me as I had contact with the partner who manages the account so she was able to guide me through my first onboarding process.

It is great knowing that there is always someone there at the end of a phone or email. It is good having ahead office support team so that you have a single point of contact. They were particularly helpful when I was trying to source information around social media marketing, they were able to provide me with a link to a useful website. They have also been able to assist me when trying to price for packages.

If you’re considering SmartPA, I would say go for it, it’s great to be able to work for yourself but the fact that SmartPA support you in setting up your business and getting started makes it less daunting to make the leap.