Getting Started with Theresa Winter Founder of PA Services Virtually

What’s in a name?

The name is quite simple really – Personal Assistants working largely virtually, although, occasionally we are asked to work on-site with our clients.

Your position?

Founder

About your business?

We work with small businesses and startups, assisting to free up their time. They outsource their admin to our small team so they can take care of the core tasks in their business. Researching, general admin, bank reconciliation plus a whole lot more!

About you!

I previously worked within the construction industry and was invited to work with a Senior Director.

While there, I discovered that subcontractors struggled to keep up with expected standards. I’d book out a meeting room and run 1-2-1 sessions for the subcontractors to help them get up to speed with the software packages.

Why start a business?

I realised that smaller companies and start-up businesses were struggling to keep up-to-date with their admin. They didn’t have the skills and left it to the last minute to attempt to complete admin tasks. Most didn’t start a business because they love paperwork!

The light bulb moment!

When my son started school, I had to leave my post as the construction industry didn’t really cater for part-time staff. I was still getting contacted by people from the sector who had heard of what I had been doing and I’d been recommended to help them drive their businesses forward. This was when I decided to start my own business and now work with businesses across the UK

Who is your ideal client/customer?

Anyone who is seeing rapid growth and is finding it difficult to cope with the admin side of things. We are currently working with a few engineers, a recruitment agency, tradespeople and a marketing agency, so our client base is varied.

Best moment so far?

When I took on my first Associate to help my clients. As the business has grown, I’ve taken on Associates to cope with business demand. I’m now working with a few Associates in the local area as well as one in Scotland. All have different strengths from bookkeeping to time management and are matched to our clients’ tasks.

Biggest challenges?

Trying to juggle the business as well as marketing, financials, legal and all other aspects of running a business. I’ve made connections in these areas and can now outsource anything that was holding me back.

Benefits of the Chamber Start-Up club since you joined?

I have met some great people with incredible businesses. We have built some solid relationships and I feel that it has helped me realise that I wasn’t alone when we were trying to get everything in place for our business. The sessions at the Start-Up Club are varied and when I attend, there is always something new to learn.

Lessons learnt…what would you do differently and why?

I would probably have started the business sooner! I’d thought about doing this a year before I took the plunge but held off procrastinating. Every day is different, and I have some great clients who value everything we do.