How it works
No mystery. Four steps.
A quick call
We talk about how your business runs and where things pile up. No pitch, and no pressure.
Getting set up
I send a short welcome pack and a few questions about how you like things done, and you share access to whatever I'll be looking after.
Start with one thing
Most people begin with the diary, the inbox or the enquiries. You send it, I sort it, and I tell you when it's done.
Then it gets easier
I learn how you work and what genuinely needs you. After a while, you stop checking.
How I charge
An hour. One rate. No retainer, no packages.
- I record my time to the minute. Ten minutes of work is ten minutes on the invoice.
- Tell me roughly what you'd like to spend each month, and I'll let you know before we get near it.
- One invoice at the end of the month, showing what the time went on.
- The minimum is one hour, in any month you use me.
- Got one job with a clear start and finish? I can quote for it as a fixed project instead.
The real cost
Employed PA or virtual PA?
Full time
Employed PA
- Pay
- £30,000
- Employer’s National Insurance
- £3,750
- Pension
- £713
- Equipment
- £1,000
- Recruitment
- £4,500
- Holiday and sick pay
- Paid
Year one, roughly
£40,000
Around £3,300 a month.
As you need it
Virtual PA
- Pay, based on 20 hours a month
- £7,200
- Employer’s National Insurance
- £0
- Pension
- £0
- Equipment
- £0
- Recruitment
- £0
- Holiday and sick pay
- £0
A year
£7,200
That’s £600 a month.
An employee is paid for every hour they’re at work, whether it’s busy or quiet. I’m paid for the minutes I spend on yours.
A full-time PA works around 150 hours a month. Most business owners need a fraction of that.
Figures based on a £30,000 salary (the UK average for a PA is around £31,000). Employer’s National Insurance at 15% above £5,000, before any Employment Allowance. Pension at the 3% auto-enrolment minimum. Recruitment fee at 15% of salary.
Day to day
When I work
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Send things whenever suits you, and anything outside those hours is picked up the next working day.
How to reach me
By email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer. If something's urgent, WhatsApp is the way.
How quickly
Routine jobs are usually done within 24 hours, urgent ones the same working day where I can. Anything bigger, we agree first.
Questions people ask
Do I need to be organised first?
No. That's my bit. You don't need to tidy anything up before I start.
Is my information safe with you?
I'm registered with the ICO and insured for professional indemnity and cyber. I've handled confidential correspondence for more than 20 years, and if your business needs a confidentiality agreement, I'm happy to sign yours.
What happens when you're on holiday?
I give you notice before I'm away, and we sort anything that needs finishing beforehand.
Will you make sales calls for me?
No. I look after the clients and enquiries you already have.
I've never had a PA. What can I ask you to do?
Ask. If it's something I do, I'll take it. If it isn't, I'll tell you. There's a longer list on the What I do page.
Start with the chat.
Tell me a little about your business and I'll send you a couple of times for a quick call.
Get in touch