Case studies - business support
Company: Lo-Cost Virtual Assistance (LCVA)
Entrepreneur: Erica Johnson
The way we work is changing. New technology is enabling us to do things that were not possible only a few years ago. These changes bring about new opportunities and businesses.
Erica is one person who has become aware of these changes and converted them into a viable business. Erica recognised many businesses and executives now require more flexibility, increased value for money and decreased overheads. Businesses, particularly in smaller sized organisations, do not have the resources/space or the manpower to handle all their secretarial needs. With today’s technology though, these services could be outsourced and with Erica’s 20 years secretarial experience and excellent ICT skills, she could meet these needs.
Erica was also looking to find a career that better suited the family lifestyle she wanted to have. Conventional working hours no longer suited her, she needed something more flexible. “It was while these thoughts were forming in my head that a leaflet popped through my door from Family Housing Association. It was advertising ‘Reaching for Enterprise’ a free service now available to tenants to provide encouragement and support to those thinking about starting up a business. It could not have been anymore timely.”
“I contacted reaching for enterprise and arranged a meeting with Derek Rose, the outreach worker for my area. It was wonderful, we discussed my idea and how it could work. He gave me lots of useful information and tips on what I should do next. He arranged for me to attend a local business start-up seminar arranged by GLE oneLondon business advice service. They provided an introduction on how to set up your business including how to write a business plan, how to set up your accounting system, sources of extra finance, information on premises, marketing etc. It was extremely useful giving me an understanding of the business skills I would need to survive in a competitive market place.”
“I was fortunate that I had good contacts within the industry but being a home based business comes with challenges of its own. Derek put me in touch with Tim Kendell, the Fast Track Business Adviser for the Reaching for Enterprise programme. He has been vital in the development of my company. We met several times and I soon felt confident that I was making the right decision. These coaching and mentoring sessions provided me with the know how to streamline my ideas and brought details to the forefront of my mind, that I would have otherwise missed, for example household insurance.”
LCVA specialises in providing secretarial and administrative needs for small businesses as well as corporations and individuals. LCVA assess clients' needs on an individual basis to provide a tailored service specific to their administrative requirements. Clients have the option of email, fax or audio to forward documents and or instructions. LCVA is completely flexible in its approach. It can either be used for a single assignment, or alternatively companies can retain their services on an ongoing basis at discounted rates. LCVA can handle simple thank you letters to clients as well as specific and detailed reports.
Erica’s advice to those thinking of setting up their own business; “Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Seek good advice. GLE oneLondon has provided me with all the assistance I needed, with the added beauty of no cost! If you have reservations on seeking advice due to costs STOP at GLE oneLondon”
For more information on LCVA call Erica Johnson on 020 7720 7331 or locostva@aol.com