Hi, I’m Susan, the Director of Preston PA Services.
I am Preston-based with 20+ years of office management experience. Before my two beautiful children came along, I gained qualifications in Business Administration (Levels 1 and 2) and the ECDL (European Computer Driving License). I put these qualifications into practice when I worked for a multinational company (within the nuclear sector) and in the Civil Service, both in clerical support roles.
When I had my two children – one of whom is autistic – I had already decided to put my career on hold; I wanted to be a stay-at-home mum and look after my family. During their earlier years, I volunteered regularly. One of the roles was at a secondary school as a Special Educational Needs Governor. This was a nice challenge as I was responsible for school admissions, implementation of school policies, personnel issues – including disciplinary – and forging links between the parents, teachers, and the governing body. Other roles included helping within the village community. I’d help at the weekly coffee mornings, assist with setting up community events, prepare the church for important occasions, and generally help anyone who needed me. I enjoyed socialising and often put the clerical skills I honed into practice.
Fast forward to 2017, I was looking to return to the world of work. I always liked the prospect of running my own business as I wanted the flexibility and freedom to make my own decisions. However, I was wondering how best to implement my skills and expertise in office management. I conducted extensive research and discovered that by offering a flexible approach and a quality business support service to business owners and entrepreneurs, I could be an essential cog in someone’s business engine. Not only could I help to grow a client’s business and help them maintain a better work-life balance, but I could also realise my dream of being an independent business owner.
Launching the business under the name of Admin Extra Solutions, my client base grew slowly – primarily through word of mouth, which was great – but I needed a website that would work for me and allow for business growth. I changed to a WordPress website, and following a suggestion from a client, I decided on a rebrand too.
In Early 2019, I took a deep breath and rebranded to Preston PA Services. The gamble paid off as I gained several new clients who wanted assistance with their back-office chores, which were taking up too much of their time and not making them any money. As my client base grew, so too did the requests for assistance. In July 2019, Helen joined Preston PA Services. With her on board, the range of services we could offer widened. I soon found that having someone else to bounce ideas off greatly benefited Preston PA’s future growth plan.
The winter of 2019 into 2020 was perilous. I caught Covid during the first wave and was very ill. Panic set in as I worried about the clients and being able to fulfil the workload we were contracted to do. Thankfully, Helen stepped up and ran things while I recovered. My clients were all very supportive and understanding of the situation, and I cannot thank them enough for their kindness during what turned out to be one of the scariest periods of my life.
I learned a lot about myself running the business through the Covid Pandemic. I realised that I was more resilient and determined than I thought possible. I learned not to take things for granted. Most of all, I realised that with the right people around you, you could just about get through anything life throws your way. The Pandemic wasn’t as dreadful as a Virtual Assistant; I could work from home very efficiently. Helen and I demonstrated the effectiveness of remote working and the ability to provide business support from afar. As a result, we were fortunate to gain a few more clients and share our knowledge and skills.
Post-pandemic, Preston PA Services continues to evolve. Helen has moved on to new challenges, and with the ongoing cost of living crisis, like many other business owners, I’ve had to re-evaluate the direction of the business and the services I offer. I’m still committed to giving the best service and am blessed to have such supportive clients, whom I consider an extended ‘family’.
I love spending time with my family, friends, and my animals (the soft, furry, cuddly kind) in my spare time. I’m a keen bookworm and have an avid interest in medieval history. I enjoy visiting stately homes and castles, furthering my interest in history when possible. Other hobbies include musical theatre and watching a good movie.