| Hi Theo!
This month I am delighted to share Emma Bibby's experience which has taken her from London to Bristol, gaining experience in Advertising, Account Management and Alternative Therapies, to setting up her own business. 
Emma used her professional experience together with her personal interests to launch Assistant Guru in 2009.
Her business supports small businesses with their administrative, marketing and project workload. She works primarily with clients in the well-being, creative and fashion industries, including top coaches, personal stylists, writers and expert speakers.
Many business owners find that much of their time and focus is spent on day-to-day administrative, and office management tasks, rather than on growing their business, or spending more time with their clients. That's where Assistant Guru comes in - Emma manages these tasks for clients on an on-going basis; giving them the time and space to develop their businesses and do what they love.
As a result her clients have thrived and so has Emma.
Emma, how did you decide to set up Assistant Guru?
I sought the advice of a Life Coach, and together we explored ideas about possible avenues for me to take. We looked at the skills and experience I had gained from my years in corporate roles, and how I could utilise these doing something I loved, while giving me back control of my life.
I'd heard about Virtual Assistants and knew it was big in the US, with demand growing rapidly in the UK. Upon further investigation, I decided that this was the way forward. I not only got to combine my PA and account management skills, but I could choose to work with clients in industries that I am passionate about. What could be better!
Assistant Guru is centred around my passions for complementary and alternative therapies, self-development, fashion, and all things creative! I wanted to utilise years of experience as an Account Manager, PA, and Reflexologist, and to unite all of these skills to focus on supporting the many inspiring people working in these industries. Having been a part-time Reflexologist for many years, I gained an appreciation of the demands of running a business, whilst trying to concentrate on the needs of your clients, and generating new ideas to take the business forward. I wanted to have more control over the projects and people I work with, and choose the direction of my own career.
Of course, I was apprehensive, as I'd never worked for myself - ever! I didn't have a clue where to start. But, step by step, I researched, investigated the possibilities for working with various businesses, networked, and marketed my business...and over the past 5 years, I have built up a successful business.
What do you love most about running your own business? 
I am very inspired by the work my clients do. With a collaborative approach to the work I do with them, I enjoy supporting them as their businesses develop and grow.
Plus I am able to work with businesses in the industries I am personally passionate about, and I love the diversity of the work from the varied clients I have.
What have been some of the challenges you've experienced and how have you overcome them?
Running my own business means that you have to wear a variety of different 'hats', in order to effectively manage your own marketing, accounts and IT etc. So, finding time to do this, and develop my business is definitely challenging.
But, over the years I have built up a good network of professionals that can help me with this. So, I am now able to delegate a good deal of work out to others, to allow me to focus on my clients and growing my business.
You're offering a new mentoring programme for Virtual Assistants. Please tell us a little about it and how others can find out more.
During the time that I've been in business, I've had a fair amount of enquiries about how to get into business as a Virtual Assistant. From women who are dissatisfied with their current career, or who have had a change in life circumstances, such as starting a family or redundancy, and want to get back into work.
These women are experienced and capable, but are not sure how to move on from their current situation.
From my own experience, and from meeting many successful female business owners over the years, there are now, more than ever, real and exciting opportunities for women to create their own business; opportunities to live a more fulfilling life on their own terms, that fits in with their lifestyle.
I'm passionate about sharing my experience and showing women that it is truly possible to establish and run a very successful Virtual Assistant business.
The mentoring programme offers 4 months of one-to-one advice and support, with me, including Skype calls, e-mail support, worksheets and a 50+ page document providing tips and advice on all you need to get started and build a thriving business.
Susan Tomlinson Business Coach and Mentor
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