APVA Member Becky Marley started her business in 2021 and has build it on the foundations of authenticity and integrity.
We strongly believe that the only way to run a successful VA business (or any business for that matter) is by having really strong core values that form the foundations of your business and that if you aren’t authentic clients will see this and lose trust in you. Here is what Becky has to say about building a business with authenticity and integrity.
When I started my business, I would compare myself to other VAs who looked so slick and professional, and I felt intimidated – I certainly wasn’t like them, so I worried that people would think I was unprofessional.
I also struggled with the “fake it ’till you make it” advice that seemed to float around social media when people would discuss becoming more confident, as this never sat right with me.
Luckily, I quickly learnt that part of being a VA is constant learning and upskilling. When I didn’t know how to do something, I’d be honest with my clients, and my willingness to figure it out and find a solution meant it was never a problem.
On top of this, I learnt not to compare myself to others. You never know what’s going on behind the scenes. Being professional and remaining true to yourself will ensure you feel comfortable in the way you present yourself. And while this may not attract all clients, it will attract those who feel an affinity to you and who hopefully will be a good match to work with.
We love the approach that Becky has taken in her business and totally agree that comparing yourself to others isn’t helpful. Not only does it cause you to be less authentic, but it can also make you feel under pressure to take your business in a certain direction that may not be right for you. We all have a reason for starting our businesses and our ‘why’ will determine how we want to grow and develop – this is completely unique to us and so comparisons aren’t helpful.
Becky Marley
Becky founded Rebecca Marley Creative in 2021 with a mission to support small business owners and help them reap the rewards of entrepreneurship.
Having run a small beauty room as a sole trader, she knows first-hand how precious time is for small business owners and solo service providers. Sometimes, keeping on top of the day to day admin, whilst still providing the 5-star service your customers expect, feels like an impossible task; and this is where Becky can help!
Her skill set ranges from administrative tasks and customer service to creative tasks such as graphic design, video and podcast editing.