From legal PA to entrepreneur – Melanie’s journey with Alchemy VA
Melanie Pollard, originally from Northampton and now based in Warrington, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with Alchemy Virtual Assistance as she prepares to launch her own Virtual Assistant franchise this November. At 51, Melanie is embracing a complete career change, drawing on her decades of experience as a Personal Assistant and her recent ventures into coaching and wellbeing.
After studying Business and Management at Salford University Melanie began a career in retail management in London, where she stayed for almost seven years. A move into the legal sector followed and she developed a long and successful career as a Legal PA and Paralegal, working in Manchester.
In 2002, Melanie and her husband settled in Warrington, where they raised their three children, Jay, Corey and Connie. Family life has always been central to Melanie’s choices, and her professional journey reflects her desire to balance career development with being present for her children.
CAREER PATH...
Melanie’s career has been wide-ranging and people-focused and over the years she has supported senior partners and teams across law firms, health and safety consultancies, and accountancy firms.
Her roles have often extended far beyond traditional PA work and she has developed expertise in organisation, document management, transcription, event coordination, project support and much more. In a small consultancy, for example, she became involved in HR, payroll, and marketing - an experience that broadened her skillset and gave her invaluable insights into running a business.
Alongside employment, Melanie has often worked self-employed, offering outsourced typing services and VA-style support to contacts and local organisations, long before ‘virtual assistant’ became a recognised industry. More recently, she retrained as a Menopause Coach, launching a local Menopause Café in Warrington, running workshops, workplace training, and speaking at wellbeing festivals. She also contributed to the Amazon #1 bestselling book ‘From The Ashes She Is Ignited’, sharing her story of resilience and growth.
STRENGTH AND EXPERTISE...
Melanie’s key strengths lie in her exceptional organisational skills, honed through years of supporting busy professionals in law, insurance, and accountancy. She describes herself as a perfectionist, but one whose attention to detail is balanced by deep compassion and empathy. Her coaching experience has amplified her ability to listen, support, and connect with people on a meaningful level.
Colleagues and clients alike value her reliability, warmth, and genuine care for the people she works with. She is also a committed volunteer, serving as Treasurer and Trustee of Codys Productions, a children’s theatre charity in Warrington.
TRANSITION TO ALCHEMY VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE...
When her last role with a large firm of accountants was made redundant earlier this year, Melanie reassessed her career. With her children more independent and a wealth of transferable skills behind her, she decided it was time to invest in herself. She began exploring virtual assistant franchises and quickly connected with Alchemy VA.
Being originally from Northampton, Melanie immediately felt a sense of affinity. More importantly, Alchemy VA’s values of kindness, compassion, and integrity resonated deeply with her own. A conversation with Suzy, Alchemy VA’s founder, confirmed her instincts and it felt like a natural fit and an exciting opportunity to combine her professional expertise with her personal values.
“The flexibility, the alignment with my skills, and the ability to shape my own future all drew me to Alchemy,” Melanie explains. “It’s the perfect balance between independence and support.”
LAUNCHING ALCHEMY VA IN WARRINGTON...
Melanie will be launching her Alchemy VA franchise in November 2025, serving clients across Warrington, Manchester, Liverpool, North Wales, and the wider North West. She is keen to support small to medium businesses and professionals who need reliable, organised, and compassionate assistance and her key services will include:
- Diary and email management
- Event planning, travel and accommodation bookings
- Project support
- Document drafting and transcription
- Marketing and social media support
- Design and content creation
Looking ahead, Melanie’s ambition is to build a thriving VA business that eventually grows into a team, providing flexible and fulfilling opportunities for others in her community. She sees the North West as a powerhouse for business growth and is excited to establish Alchemy VA’s presence in this dynamic region.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS...
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys long walks with her rescue dog, Alita, a Romanian street dog she adopted during lockdown. She is also a passionate theatre-goer, especially musical theatre, and rarely misses a chance to catch a show in Manchester or Liverpool. Much of her free time is also dedicated to supporting her daughter’s netball activities and her voluntary work in children’s theatre.
For Melanie, this new chapter represents not only a chance to put her business degree and years of experience to full use but also an opportunity to create a career that aligns with her values, supports her family, and gives her the freedom to grow.
With her blend of professional expertise, personal warmth, and community spirit, Melanie is poised to make her Alchemy VA franchise a success.
WHAT NEXT...
Are you interested in chatting with Melanie about what level and type of Virtual Assistant support will make the most impact to you? You can get in touch with Melaine Pollard here.
Perhaps you're not yet sure if you're ready for a Virtual Assistant? Why not take our free VA 'readiness' evaluation to gain valuable insights and personalised advice on maximising the outputs of a Alchemy Virtual Assistant.
Or if you'd like to explore taking on your own Alchemy VA franchise, you can download a copy of our Virtual Assistant Franchise information pack.
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