Midlands-based Gemma McMillan is pursuing her business dreams during lockdown as the demand for Virtual Assistant services continues to skyrocket.
Gemma has just set up her professional business with the award-winning Alchemy Virtual Assistance (VA) team, who have reported a record number of client enquiries from businesses globally – with numbers having quadrupled since COVID hit.
With decades of experience across various admin, sales, customer service and client liaison roles, Gemma says the time is right to leave her secure job at an international shipping firm to focus on her new venture providing flexible, remote admin and PA services to entrepreneurs, not for profit organisations and business owners.
“Sure, there are lots challenges right now but there are also lots of opportunities as a result of COVID and Brexit, and many small businesses are thriving, especially those that are virtual,” said Gemma, who had been following Alchemy VA’s founder – Suzy Sanders – online for a while before deciding to commit to become the company’s latest franchisee Hub Manager in December 2020.
“As this pandemic continues, more and more entrepreneurs and organisations are reviewing their operations and deciding to outsource their admin and other business support functions. Starting my VA business now makes complete sense.”
Gemma was one of over 700,000 new businesses which were formed by the end of 2020 according to Companies House data – up 13.5% on 2019.
“I have been dreaming of working for myself for so long, but it was reading Suzy’s latest book and seeing all that Alchemy had achieved during the pandemic that inspired me and gave me the courage to finally take the leap, despite everything that is going on. Because I have chosen to set up my new venture with Alchemy’s support, backing, proven business model and ongoing training, I definitely don’t feel alone.”
Suzy Sanders, founder of Alchemy VA added:
“Gemma has a phenomenal amount of experience, insight and passion, and an abundance of readily transferable skills. She’s perfectly aligned to the Alchemy family and ethos too, and has joined us at just the right time as we attract more and more enquiries from all over the globe.
“I believe the Alchemy VA brand is reaching people as far as Australia and the US because everyone is far more open to remote working now and is much more aware of tapping into a global talent pool. Hiring a Virtual Assistant partner through an established, family-run VA company is the ideal staffing solution for businesses in these turbulent times – it’s a reliable, efficient, adaptable and cost-effective solution.
“I’m very excited to see the positive impact Gemma will continue to have on her clients in the weeks, months and years to come, and we are with her every step of the way.”
For more information on Alchemy VA – their virtual assistance services for entrepreneurs and small enterprising businesses, or to learn more about Virtual Assistant franchise opportunities and book on the next Alchemy VA Discovery Discussion – visit the website.
FOR PRESS & MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Kim Hughes, Pilkington Communications kim@pilkington-comms.co.uk OR 07900 245070
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