Here at Get Ahead VA, our people are everything. We’re dedicated to growing our business all over the country, so our customers can access a wide range of highly skilled professionals wherever they are. We currently have regional offices in Leeds, Berkshire & North Hampshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk & Essex, East Midlands and West Surrey, and we’re pleased to announce our latest addition: Wirral & Cheshire West.
Here’s 60 seconds with our Virtual Expert, Sophie
Area of expertise:
Organisation and building relationships
When and why did you join Get Ahead VA?
I joined Get Ahead VA in September 2020. Running my own business was something I had always wanted to do and knew I could achieve but it just never felt like the right time – I have 2 young children and childcare costs, and, until recently, a good, stable job. Then Covid-19 hit and my job was made redundant. Rather than feeling down about the situation I spun it into a positive and realized that this would be the perfect time to go for it. I had time to sit and research my options and define what my goals were. I found Get Ahead on an online franchise directory and what stood out to me immediately was the vibrant branding, the quality of all the content I was reading and watching and the warm and friendly manner in which it was being delivered. Rebecca was inviting, personable, upbeat and refreshingly honest – that means so much to me. I spoke to a few team members whose values were the same and I just knew it was the perfect fit for me.
What did you do before Get Ahead VA?
My background is quite varied! I have an MA in Dramatherapy and worked with children using art, games and puppetry to help them express themselves. However, my first official ‚ÄòGrad job’ was as a recruitment consultant in Manchester. I moved into an administration role here in the Wirral and really enjoyed this line of work, the organisation, the processes and being the support for the MD. Soon I ended up as an operations manager for another recruitment company based in Chester, which gave me a lot of responsibility and further enhanced my skillset. I really enjoyed this role but I always had my heart set on running my own business.
Career highlight to date?
This! Starting my training at Get Ahead and meeting the rest of the team (although some have had to be virtual for now…) It has been such an exciting time for me and I have been made to feel so welcome. I have had support from all angles and I am so grateful.
Plans for the future?
My plans are to focus on getting our name out there in the Wirral and Cheshire and making sure as many business owners as possible are aware of what we do, how good we are and the benefits of using us to make their lives easier.