Monday Mumpreneur with Rebecca Newenham

Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur just like you and me who’s ready and willing to open up their lives and their business to us.  

They share with us their motivation, their challenges and their proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves.

If you’re looking for inspiration, then our featured business mums show you what’s possible.

This week's featured mumpreneur is a true inspiration to her staff as they were the ones who put her forward for the feature. She always knew that she would build her business to give opportunities to others and you can see why she's been recognised and won accolades ~ a true leader.

Your name: Rebecca Newenham

Tell me about your children

I have three daughters - Isabelle 12, Aimee 10 and Robyn 8. Our house is very pink!

Where do you live?

Guildford, Surrey, UK

PC or Mac?

Mac but still have access to PC!

Tell us about your business

Get Ahead VA are experts in providing nationwide virtual assistance services. Our team of highly skilled virtual assistants support small businesses remotely. We are the staff you don’t see, but the difference you do. We do jobs that our clients don't have time to do, can't do or simply don't want to do. We don't take up office space and clients pay us for the exact work that we do - there are no hidden costs, no holiday or sick pay. We deliver a wide range of virtual business support from basic administration through to sophisticated email marketing and PR campaigns.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

I always knew that I wanted to run my own business. My mother run a tutorial business from home when I was growing up and was a great role model for me. I wanted to give my girls the continuity of me being able to do school drop off and pick up but I also wanted to contribute financially. I started to hear about the term virtual assistant more and more, it evolved in the US. I researched various courses and found one run by 2 hugely successful UK based VAs. The course ran over one day and it was fantastic as it ran through everything you would need for a home office right through to documentation and types of work we could do. With my background and contacts I had a clear vision for how I could create a team and service a broad range of customer requirements. I didn't want to be a sole trader and always knew I would grow the business and give work opportunities to fellow mothers.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

Running your own business from home is definitely a challenge. Technology makes it a lot easier to manage your time but you have to be disciplined. At one stage I would wake up and check my emails before even putting on the kettle. This was crazy but an easy habit to get into!

How have you overcome it?

Since moving into my garden office I have found it easier to set boundaries and make a clearer distinction between my work and family life.

What’s been your proudest business moment?

One of the real high points for me was last year’s Christmas lunch. Seeing the team together and hearing them all talking passionately about our clients and the huge benefits of being part of GAVA made it all worthwhile. The majority of our team have children and I know how much they value being able to work from home, flexibly around their families. I was also very proud when we were voted 2nd most loved VA business in the UK through 'the best of' business directory and I was selected as a finalist in last year’s MumpreneurUK awards.

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

"What will be will be"

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

By demonstrating the benefits of having a VA myself! At half terms and holidays I always ask one of my team to check my emails so I can have a proper break with my girls. I also love my bootcamp exercise which I do outside twice a week come rain or shine. I have a babysitter booked so there is no excuse not to make it.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

At the end of my last 21 day detox I treated myself a set of 3 rings from Stella and Dot

Favourite colour

I am currently loving luminous colours

Favourite flowers

It has to be daffodils at this time of year

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?

I think the secret to Get Ahead’s success has been understanding our varied customer requirements and then making the right connections between the specific VA and the client. I pride myself on being a fantastic match maker! So make sure you really consider what your customers want and then deliver upon it.

Find out more about Rebecca and her business on her website:

Website address: www.getaheadva.com

And connect with her on social media:

Twitter address: @GetAheadVA

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/get-ahead-va

Facebook: facebook.com/getaheadva

Fancy sharing your story and becoming part of our wonderful supportive mumpreneur community? Drop me an email over on the contact page – and I’ll be in touch.   Or let me know in a comment below.