Client Case Study - Virtual Assistant Support for Here We Flo
THE CHALLENGE
As the Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer of an innovative, rapidly scaling, women of colour owned business, the demands on Susan’s time and focus were stretched to the limit! Susan found herself being pulled in a million different directions on a path destined for burnout…
Dashing from meeting to meeting, responding to the ever-changing needs of the team, investors, suppliers and stakeholders, dealing with double bookings, navigating travel and speaking arrangements, inundated with emails and DMs, some days there wasn’t even time for lunch let alone the clear-thinking space to drive the brand forward or connect strategically with her Co-Founder.
Susan’s impressive career history meant that she had previous experience of working with an assistant. She truly understands the value a good Executive Assistant can bring. Not only as the gatekeeper but also as the commercial and strategic mind, the problem solver, the task completer, the proactive and trusted sidekick. Susan understands that a skilled assistant brings not just support but strategic insight. However, due to the age and stage of Here We Flo, they simply couldn’t justify the costs of a full-time support role for the Co-Founders.
But something had to give…
Susan first discovered Alchemy Virtual Assistance through a personal recommendation from Here We Flo’s then Finance Director, who was an ex-colleague of Alchemy VA’s Founder Suzy Sanders. Having worked together previously, the Finance Director could wholeheartedly recommend the quality and calibre of what Alchemy Virtual Assistance do. Several conversations later, the remarkable Shelley Hall (who heads up Alchemy Virtual Assistance in Marlow & Maidenhead) stepped in and in Susan’s words ‘changed her life.’
THE IMPACT
Shelley began slowly and steadily, as we always do at Alchemy Virtual Assistance, taking responsibility for Susan’s diary with much more forethought and planning. Strategically and carefully overseeing Susan’s schedule to ensure priorities and responsibilities were met efficiently but also seeing that Susan had valuable down time to recalibrate and refocus as well as blocking time for Susan’s personal needs to protect her from burn out.
Overseeing speaking engagements, meeting logistics and even travel arrangements naturally followed. This allowed Susan to stop worrying about the finer details and focus on what she does best.
This work alone freed up mental space for Susan in a way that she can’t explain.
“Through my diary, Shelley is making life better!”
Through weekly ‘check in’ calls, Shelley has naturally taken on more tasks and responsibilities. Seeking out new or different ways to deliver more value. She is also supporting Susan in building her personal brand in a much more intentional way. Enabling and holding her accountable to produce more consistent and compelling LinkedIn content. Working so closely with Susan on the complexities of her diary and schedule puts Shelley in the prime position to generate her personal LinkedIn content showcasing Susan’s world and whereabouts - perfectly capturing her tone of voice and flair. The impact of this work is clear in the stats – Susan’s following is steadily increasing as is the engagement of her content.
“Shelley just gets it!”
Shelley has also implemented and now manages a simple system for how speaking engagements are handled end to end. Beyond this, Shelley’s support has empowered Susan to implement and uphold healthy, professional and efficient boundaries which has positively impacted the wider Here We Flo team and external contacts. The reputation Shelley has built as the ‘go to’ person to get things done is profound.
Shelley’s ongoing diary management work is also helping Susan prioritise and say no to things that aren’t aligned. Shelley challenges Susan in a really productive and helpful way, she asks the right questions and has taken the time to really understand the business and Susan’s challenging workflow. Shelley is a fast learner and HUGE fan of the brand.
When reflecting on what makes the partnership work so well, Susan states that Shelley always goes above and beyond to fully embed herself with the team and truly embody their culture. Whilst it is fractional support, it doesn’t ever feel that way. Shelley’s warm and reliable presence ensures that standards are met and upheld, and that actions are consistently followed through.
THE RECOMMENDATION
“You should have signed up yesterday!” is the recommendation Susan makes.
“If you’re ready to have an amazing, helpful person hold you accountable for your personal and professional goals in a really proactive, supportive and present way – what are you waiting for?”
Susan often wonders how Shelley gets so much completed in such a small amount of time each week, whilst remaining fully present and proactive. Susan states that a Virtual Assistant is a huge asset and advantage to any Founder, particularly to a new one.
When asked what Susan would have done without Alchemy VA’s support, she simply can’t bear the thought right now...
THE CAUSE
Gather round, let us tell you how Here We Flo was founded and the BFFs that make this company the funny, feminist & sustainable powerhouse it is!
Besties Tara and Susan were having a classic bathroom chat in the university loos. Susan was daydreaming about starting the Feminist Mafia; Tara was wondering why she couldn’t find organic tampons anywhere. Loads of research, a masters dissertation and heaps of terrible period-pun business names later, FLO was born!
The mission was simple: create products that inspire people to feel crazy confident and empowered about their messiest bodily moments.
From organic eco-tex bamboo to sumptuous au naturel cotton, every material is sourced to be good for the planet, but also free of any dyes, chemicals and nasties we don't want anywhere near our bodies. Natural for us and for mama nature. From Regenerative Rubber + Solar Power to our Carbon Neutral goals + Charity Partners doing great things for the people and planet.
As a tiny team of gals who’ve had a lot of help from our community, Here We Flo believe in the collective power of many small steps. Little changes, done together help us all take big leaps forward...in the cutest period pants!
WHAT NEXT?
2. Not sure if you're 'ready' for a Virtual Assistant? Why not take our FREE Virtual Assistant ‘readiness’ evaluation?
3. For any support or advice about how to best leverage the support of an Alchemy Virtual Assistant, you can connect with Shelley Hall here.
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