“Be patient as the world will not be delivered to you immediately. You need to be driven to work hard so as to set yourself up to receive the world.”
For more than 10 years, Ursula Beeston worked in the legal industry, but it was never a field that she felt passionate about. In June of 2020, she decided to quit her full-time job as a legal secretary after working in what she described as a “toxic environment.” She had no idea what her next move was going to be, but she did know that the next chapter was going to be about her. After a couple of months of looking for jobs, Ursula came across the term VA (Virtual Assistant). She did more research and quickly realised that she could utilise her skills to help others achieve their business goals while working for herself and around her life. Ursula quickly completed a training course with the VA institute and launched her company that same month!
Ursula is now the owner of Essentially U VA Services where she strives to relieve the admin pressures from small to medium-sized businesses. She aims to take on the parts of your business that you do not have the time or the skills to do properly. With her extensive experience in administration support and prior knowledge of running a business, Ursula has delivered high quality and accurate work throughout her career. She has gained an appreciation for time management and developed the drive and passion required to start and maintain a high pressure and fast-paced business.
Within a year, Ursula has created a life where she can make her own decisions and take more time to enjoy the things she loves, such as running, reading and photography. With the work of Essentially U VA Services, she helps shape this balanced lifestyle for other business owners like her.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
The thing that I enjoy the most is empowerment. After working for someone else for so long I relish being able to make my own decisions on where I want to invest money and which areas I want to expand my knowledge.
My previous experience had been in such a dry environment and I now enjoy the creativity, flexibility, love and care that I experience working with creative people.
What two pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Be patient, but also be driven. – Be patient as the world will not be delivered to you immediately. You need to be driven to work hard so as to set yourself up to receive the world.
- Back yourself to the full. – Have confidence and passion in yourself. Don’t let the self-doubt and imposter syndrome rule.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Seriously consider what makes your business different, your USP. This will be your gold.
Just like each one of us, our businesses are unique, and this is what you need to sell to the world.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Social media, and the ability to speak confidently and passionately about yourself and your product.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet.
My ideal business would be working 25-30 hours per week, with a few (2-3) clients in the creative space.
I would have built a close enough rapport that if they wanted to take leave, they had the confidence that their business would tick over without them with my assistance.
We would together implement systems and processes in their business that would see them achieving more and more of their own goals.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
HerBusiness gives me the opportunity to regularly network, to learn new skills for my business, to challenge me with different business women’s views and experiences, and I can take as much or as little as I can manage in any one day or week.
Learn more about Ursula Beeston and Essentially U VA Services.
