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BOOK REVIEW: The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance

The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance โ€“ creating a successful assistant business around your family by Suzy Sanders is the perfect guide for any virtual assistant, whether they work for an agency, are starting their own business or joining a franchise.

Suzy Sanders founded Alchemy Virtual Assistance from her home in 2016, to provide remote administration services, practical marketing and flexible PA support to sole traders, entrepreneurs and small business owners. In 2018 Suzyโ€™s husband Paul joined the business and in 2019 the Alchemy Virtual Assistance franchise model was born – enabling aspiring virtual assistants to replicate and build their own VA business under the Alchemy brand.

Suzyโ€™s background is as an executive assistant for a chief HR officer within a Global Recruitment company and Paulโ€™s career history includes debt management, credit control, call centre leadership and training.

Since 2018, Suzy has been recognised in a number of awards programmes, including: Finalist for UK VA Awards โ€“ Midland region, nominated for We Are The City โ€“ โ€˜Rising Star Award for Entrepreneurshipโ€™, Finalist inSME Northamptonshire Business Awards for two categories – โ€˜Business Womanโ€™ and โ€˜Entrepreneur of the Yearโ€™, and nominated for the โ€˜VA Star Awardโ€™ which recognises professional virtual assistants who give back to the industry.

Alchemy Virtual Assistance was named Northamptonshire Life Magazineโ€™s โ€˜B2B of the Yearโ€™ and named a finalist for the Northamptonshire Business Award โ€˜Innovation Awardโ€™. Alchemy VA was announced as โ€˜highly commendedโ€™ as new franchise by the Approved Franchise Association in 2020 and Suzy was a regional finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur awards.

The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance

In 2020, Suzy wrote The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance where she shares her journey of how she launched Alchemy VA. From the highs to the lows, the book offers guidance for virtual assistants everywhere, and useful tips for everyone currently working from home.

Eye opening, inspiring and perfect for those currently balancing work and home schooling, the book highlights the struggles you face when setting up your own business but also the rewards. Ideal for those starting out or seeking advice, The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance is a great source to refer back to and keep you motivated during the hard times.

Key takeaways include:

  • Look after your wellbeing – with remote working now the norm, The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance highlights the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing.
  • Understand your worth โ€“ it was surprising to read that many virtual assistantsโ€™ price themselves too low. Suzyโ€™s hourly rate calculator is a must have for anyone starting their own business.
  • Be yourself โ€“ this is what makes your business unique. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and donโ€™t compare yourself to others.
  • Learn to say no โ€“ the most common attraction to a starting a virtual assistant business is flexibility, freedom, fulfilment. If you stretch yourself too short and always say yes, you will start to lose these benefits.

Wherever your virtual assistant journey may take you, this book is a must have and you can buy it now on Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08B1JK2JM

Or for more information, please visit www.alchemyva.co.uk and follow on social media at @AlchemyVAUK

Club members also have a chance of winning a free copy of The Alchemy of Virtual Assistance, please visit the club competition page for more details.

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