I worked in a busy school office for five and a half years – since just before Covid! What a time to begin working in education!
Juggling the chaos of daily admin, comforting upset children, smoothing over tricky situations, and keeping everything running behind the scenes. I was good at it, even if I do say so myself. But I knew it wasn’t my forever job.
I wanted more freedom, more flexibility, and (if I’m honest) to feel like the hard work I put in every day actually benefited me and my family, not just someone else’s organisation. Not that a lovely little school is a bad place to put your efforts, it really isn’t. But, I decided it was time for me to reap the full benefits of my own skills and experience.
So in early 2025, I finally handed in my notice and took the leap into full-time self-employment as a Virtual Assistant.
It was both terrifying and exhilarating. And it was absolutely the right decision.
Why I Left My Job
My job was part-time on paper, but in reality it often spilled over. I’d find myself working extra to catch up and thinking about that never ending to do list when I was off the clock. As much as I cared about the work and the people, I couldn’t ignore the quiet voice that kept saying, “You could be doing this for yourself”.
I was already helping a few small business clients on the side, and I loved the work: organising systems, writing documents, making everything look polished and professional. Every time a client thanked me for saving them time or sorting something they’d been putting off for months, it lit me up.
What I Took With Me From School Life
Working in a school office trains you well. You become a master of shifting priorities, diplomacy, problem-solving, and calm efficiency. I’d start the day with a plan and within half an hour it would be in the bin, replaced by something more urgent. You learn to adapt, reprioritise, and still get the essentials done.
That fast-paced environment gave me skills I use with clients every day:
- Translating ideas into systems. Turning someone’s chaotic to-do list into a clear process or repeatable checklist.
- Communication and consistency. Writing newsletters, website updates, and letters that get the message across professionally.
- Organising calendars, meetings and paperwork. I managed the governing body’s meeting planner, translated their discussions into professional minutes that highlighted challenge and oversaw the policy review schedule.
- Streamlining processes – like moving our school from cheque payments to BACS, or digitising our admissions process to save time and improve the experience for parents.
I didn’t leave all that behind — I just brought it with me into a new setting, where it’s hugely valuable for small businesses that need reliable, organised, capable support.
What I Do Now
Now, I work with small business owners, coaches and consultants who need help behind the scenes. These people are great at what they do, but need someone to sort the systems, tidy the documents, or bring consistency and polish to the admin.
I especially love creating branded documents, making sure everything a client shares with the outside world looks consistent, professional and “on-brand.” I bring a creative eye to the admin side of things, which clients seem to really appreciate!
Helping Clients Breathe Again
Most of my clients come to me overwhelmed. They’ve got too much on their plate and not enough time. We talk it through, find a starting point, and I usually take one thing off their hands to show them what’s possible. That small step often opens the door to more, and it’s so satisfying to hear them say things like:
“This saved me hours”
“I never would have done that on my own”
“You’ve made it all look so much better!”
And for me? That feeling of making a difference and getting to choose who I work with, when and how, is everything.
What Freedom Means to Me
Freedom doesn’t mean working less (not yet, anyway!). But it does mean working in a way that fits my life. I can move things around to attend school events, take a weekday off, or just say yes to a spontaneous catch-up with a friend.
I’m still a list-maker, still working through daily and weekly checklists. But now I do it from my home office, without a commute, with the satisfaction that the time I spend working directly benefits my business and my family.
Was I scared to go all in? Absolutely. My biggest fear was not attracting enough clients. But so far, the opposite has been true. I’ve had brilliant conversations, signed up some lovely clients, and have more in the pipeline.
And honestly? I haven’t looked back!