Enterprise Nation

Thank you, Katie Macdonald, for contacting us today and confirming our belief that niche is good and focusing your business on a sector/audience is the very best way to grow. Katie is a VA with a tasty difference.

Promotion flyer

Katie sent in a note today to say she has started her VA business – with help from VA coach Kate Bacon – and that she had found Enterprise Nation to be a useful resource. (thanks for that, Katie!)

Little did she know that we’d write straight back saying something like … ‘love it! Love your story as you’re so clearly defining your niche’ .. here’s some information from the promotion flyer that Katie sent, and the reason for our excitement.

Katie decided to set up her own business and make the break from the corporate world to enable her more flexibility to follow a career she enjoys and a better work life balance. “Being able to use my PA skills to offer a bespoke service to each client really appeals to me. Each business and profession is different. One thing I learnt from being a PA was that the traditional PA job description doesn’t suit all ways of working”. She goes on to say “becoming a VA would allow me to add a new dimension to a career I already enjoyed; to run my own business. I could combine offering a bespoke business support service, and follow another love, food! The perfect combination!”.

So, why the focus on food?

“To give that bit extra to my clients, I want to be as passionate about their businesses as they are. Working with a virtual assistant isn’t the same as employing a member of staff, its creating a partnership, therefore to know that you’re supported by someone who is as enthusiastic about your business as you are, can only be a good thing”. Katie adds “I love food, eating, creating dishes, trying new recipes, food and market shopping. I also love the sense of togetherness that sharing food and eating creates; whether it’s a weeknight supper downloading what’s happened through the day, a romantic candlelit meal on an anniversary, or a barbecue with friends”. 

Knowing your key clients

Our excitement continued as Katie’s promotion flyer flowed in to the perfect kind of client.

• Do you run a food related business and want to spend more time on promotion rather than administration, bookings, or arranging events?
• Are you a food writer who needs support organising a blog tour perhaps, typing or research?
• Are you a chef who would like high class personal support combined with a critique and tester for new recipes?

From strategy to strapline

Katie’s niche is also reflected in the way she describes the business:

‘Foodie turned Virtual Assistant Katie Macdonald can help you get the most from your business. By adding that extra special ingredient, Virtually Does It could be the perfect business raising agent!’

On a final note

When we contacted Katie with great fervour, she replied to say:

‘Finding my niche was not easy! I thought that as my PA skills were so transferable that I wouldn't need to confine myself to one sector and could work with anyone. This all changed when it came to marketing, as where would I start?! I then followed my main interest, food, and haven't looked back. 

I have learnt that working within a niche isn't confining my business but specialising.’

We’ll stop now but you’ll have fathomed that the gist of this feature is .. niche is good!

• Katie Macdonald, VirtuallyDoesIt.com