Traci Winterburn: Ask My PA
What is your job role?
As the Proprietor of Ask my PA my role is very diverse. I manage the day to day running of the business which means meeting clients expectations and delivering a first class service on time, every time. I also have the responsibility of finding new business in order to grow and expand. Through careful research I look for new ways to adapt my business model to meet the ever changing requirements within other businesses in order to deliver the right solution. I source the right people who are committed to help me drive my business forward so we get to the end state! On top of all this I manage the finances and budget for the company.
What is your background in and how did you get to where you are today?
I used to work 40 hours a week in a factory re-packing garments to send to M&S stores and I remember I was always looking for a "better way" to do the job without sacrificing quality! I didn't know at that time that somewhere embedded in me was my ability to provide solutions! This resulted in my new role of an RTM (Return to Manufacture) Analyst where I project managed a returns department and had 12 staff working with me. The success of this resulted in the opening of another returns site in Leicester within 1 year. Work life became so intense that I was often working 70 hours a week to meet supplier demands. Not wanting to spend the rest of my life in a factory, I decided I wanted office work but had no skills so took a 2 year evening course at Keighley College as well as working full time and supporting a family.
Having achieved a distinction at college, I landed my first job at Bradford & Bingley Plc where within 9 months I was approached to be a PA. I held this position for 6 years until I decided I could utilise the skills I have and launched my own PA Company.
What role did the GRID play in promoting and driving your business?
As a new business it's quite daunting out there and what the GRID* did beautifully was to offer a platform of support in many areas. Introductions to other businesses, various networking opportunities plus providing contacts within other areas such as Kick Start and mentoring programmes. To me it was the starting point in business, a place where you don't feel alone, you are encouraged to seek out opportunities and a hub for development at your own pace.
What are you best moments?
Waking up every day proud of my achievement of owning my own company, making my own business decisions and being in charge of my own destiny!
What are your worst moments?
When businesses don't pay for work they have received! I've had 2 within the same year and for a small business it can really impact you.
And finally, if you could give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?
1) Make constant never ending improvements to your life and your business model
2) Plan to survive- Have a financial back up plan to help you through the quiet periods
3) Measure the results of everything you do! If it works, do more of it but if it doesn't then stop it immediately!
Finally- have fun and embrace the challenges that business brings with it!
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