"Alchemy’s values really stood out” Our supportive approach paves the way for another successful Virtual Assistant franchise launch
Posted on 14th November 2023 at 10:19
“Alchemy’s values really stood out.” Our supportive approach paves the way for another successful Virtual Assistant franchise launch...
Shelley Hall launched her Alchemy VA franchise Hub in July 2023 to provide remote admin and PA support to growing businesses and SMEs in Marlow, Maidenhead and beyond, and she has not looked back.
Her varied and fast-paced career has seen her work for well-known global brands including Debenhams, Adidas and Warner Brothers, spearheading major projects including the product development at a theme park in Abu Dhabi and a number of retail experiences for Warner Brothers worldwide.
Shelley was expecting her first child when she moved from Dubai back to her hometown of Marlow in 2018, and it was not long after the birth of her daughter that she realised a career change was needed.
“I’d had a 20-year career in retail, buying and merchandising, but moving back to the UK and having my daughter changed my focus, as it does for many new mothers.
I was used to high pressure and managing multiple tasks, and definitely thrived in that environment, but all the buying jobs I’d looked at after my maternity leave were in London, and I wanted flexibility around my young family.
That’s when I started to consider refocusing my skills elsewhere and follow a career as a Virtual Assistant."
Through her initial scoping and research, Shelley came across Alchemy VA...
“I will be honest in saying I hadn’t really thought about setting up a business. But after what felt like hours of research into what my next career move might be, the franchise model really stood out to me."
“We had not long come out of the pandemic and I wanted to hit the ground running. I realised a Virtual Assistant franchise would give me a ready-made business model where I could get clients straight away and access the right training. I knew I had lots of skills, but I didn’t know how to channel them to start a business from scratch – I needed a company that would support and guide me. Alchemy VA has the notion of family at the heart of everything they do, it seemed perfect.”
Shelley was then given an unexpected opportunity to work for her former employer Warner Brothers on the global Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.
“I parked the Alchemy VA idea for a while and didn’t start revisiting it again until January 2023, only this time I had more purpose and determination. I reached out to Suzy to find out more and we hit it off immediately. It was very clear we were aligned from the moment we first spoke and that she was very hands-on in the business in terms of supporting and guiding the franchise managers. I hadn’t seen this from any other Virtual Assistant franchise. Alchemy VA’s strong values and standards just leaped out at me, and I knew deep down that it was the only option for me.”
Since signing up to lead the Alchemy VA Marlow and Maidenhead hub, Shelley has been supported with a ‘soft’ launch while she continues to work part-time for Warner Brothers.
“Alchemy VA are behind me every step of the way, providing 121 support so I can build the business up at my own pace. I have ambitious plans to recruit a team of trusted associates in the future too and I know Alchemy will help.
I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone by networking and business development, but I feel part of a family of Alchemy Virtual Assistant hub managers who all look after each other, and that is priceless. I can’t imagine anywhere else where I would get this level of support.”
Discover more about the remarkable impact Shelley has on her clients or explore the impact and tangible benefits of plugging her specialist Virtual Assistant services directly into your small business.
If this story has inspired you, feel free to reach out to the Alchemy Virtual Assistance family to explore Virtual Assistant franchise opportunities in your area.
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