Buckinghamshire VA named as finalist in Best Business Women Awards

A Buckinghamshire businesswoman who founded a global VA (virtual assistant) company, saw off hundreds of applicants to reach the finals in the Best Business Women Awards 2022.

Kathy Soulsby, founder of Personally Virtual, has been shortlisted as a finalist in two top categories – Best Business Woman in Business Services and Best Business, which recognises the finest, most successful female owned businesses UK-wide.

Kathy – who is from Cheddington and set up her now thriving VA venture in 2014 – was picked from hundreds of hopeful female entrepreneurs under the theme, ‘shining through the dark times’. She was praised for her business growth during the pandemic, increasing her team of VA associates across the UK, Spain, France and Thailand, hitting huge growth targets during 2021, and providing much-needed virtual executive assistant and diary management to corporate and senior c-suite professionals when they needed it the most.

An unexpected but well deserved honour

Kathy said: “I am over the moon to have made it through to the finals, and would never have believed even a few years ago I would be here.

“I am open and honest about what I humorously refer to as an unlikely journey to become a business owner, and have even written a book about my warts and all experiences.

“My now flourishing virtual assistant company is scaling and more profitable beyond anything I ever believed possible. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions and personal challenges, not least the fact I have been able to overcome significant self-esteem and confidence issues, but I hope my story and success inspires others who might not have the confidence to go it alone. Anything is possible.”

Kathy has an ambitious five-year growth plan for her Buckinghamshire-based company, to become the go-to VA company for consultancies and professional services worldwide.

During the official announcement, Debbie Gilbert, the organiser of The Best Businesswomen Awards, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of female entrepreneurship across the UK.

“This is the eighth year of the prestigious Best Business Woman Awards, and despite the difficult circumstances, these businesswomen have shone through the dark times,” said Debbie. “Our judging panel, all business experts, were blown away by the quality of the entrants. All our finalists are all shining examples of entrepreneurs who have proved their success.’

The Gala Final will be held at the Hilton Wembley on 30th September 2022, where the Gold Winners of each category will be announced.

For more information about Kathy’s business visit Personally Virtual

See more information about the Best Business Woman Awards

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