As I write this, I’m still buzzing from the energy of the VA Forum Conference I attended on Friday, 14th March 2025, at Conference Aston on the Aston University Campus in Birmingham.
Now, let me start by sharing a little of the pre-conference shenanigans. I had the delightful Nige Sterrick crashing at mine the night before. Nige is a fresh-faced VA from Scotland, a friend of 15 years, and I had been busy promoting this event to him.
I’d meticulously picked out my outfit in advance (not an easy feat as a gay guy, I assure you, due to the limitless number of options) but I settled with a turquoise ‘bluey’ type of coloured shirt, teamed with a navy blazer and some tried and trusted Calvin Klein Jeans. I decided to dress down in the outfit with a pair of Fred Perry high-top vintage trainers.
Anyhoo, I digress. Now that we’ve got some of the important stuff out of the way (lol), let’s move on to the essentials.We set off at the crack of dawn—645am, to be exact, thinking we’d face the classic Birmingham rush hour and arrive fashionably late. Spoiler alert: we made it in just 30 minutes and ended up being an absurd 1 hour early. Sorry for the rude awakening, Nige, but at least we had time for a cheeky coffee!?
Now, let’s dive into the conference itself. It was a bustling hub for all VA business owners – from sole VAs to Lead VAs. The atmosphere was electric, and I had the chance to absorb a generous helping of wisdom from some truly remarkable speakers and the attendees.
Diving into Insights from Inspiring Speakers
As I settled into the conference, I was excited, especially as I prepared to soak up the wisdom from our six fabulous speakers. Trust me when I say, they did not disappoint! First up was the brilliant Dawn Owen, Business & Life Coach extraordinaire. Dawn took the stage with a vibrant energy that set the tone for the entire day. She dived right in with “The Missing Link to Your Success,” and it felt like she was talking directly to me.
We explored those pesky mindset shifts that often keep us stuck in the mud of self- doubt. Dawn had a knack for showing us how those sneaky little beliefs—like perfectionism and fear of failure—can hold us back from truly thriving. She threw some hard truths our way but balanced it with practical tips that left us feeling empowered. By the end of her session, I was ready to break free from my mental shackles and sprint towards success!
Next, the fabulous Belinda Furneaux-Harris took us on a journey with “The Business of YOU! How To Build A Brilliant Personal Brand in 2025.” Oh my goodness, if you’ve ever wondered what personal branding really means, then this was the ticket. Belinda made the concept of personal branding accessible and relatable for all of us VAs. She explained how our personal brand is not just for the celebs but can be our secret weapon in a crowded market. We spent time unpacking our core strengths and quirks, gaining dazzling clarity on what makes us unique. I left feeling inspired, ready to showcase the fabulousness that is my own brand, Purple Caterpillar!
Then came the tech-savvy Sunny Vara, who got all our hearts racing with his session on “Stay Safe Online: Essential Cyber Security Tips for Virtual Assistants.” Let’s be real— in a world where data breaches are as common as on a rainy day in Birmingham, Sunny offered an invaluable treasure trove of information. He taught us how to safeguard client data and spot phishing scams like a pro. Using practical tips, I felt empowered and ready to secure my digital fortress, protecting both my business and my clients from online threats. I can’t stress enough how much this session needed to be on everyone’s radar!
Then, the brilliant Heather Murray showcased her infectious enthusiasm with “AI Changed My Life, It Can Change Yours”.Talk about an eye-opener! Heather shared her incredible journey from being a Legal PA to becoming an AI expert in a whirlwind of technology. She introduced us to a handpicked toolkit of must-have AI tools specifically for VAs. Her insights on how AI can revolutionise our businesses left me buzzing with ideas on how to save time and offer even more value to my clients. If that’s not a recipe for success, I don’t know what is!
Hamid Bukhari was next on the roster with his no-nonsense approach in “Starting Strong: A Guide to Accounting for New Sole Traders & the Self-Employe”. Now, I’ll be honest, finance and accounting can make me want to take a nap, but Hamid had a way of making it engaging. He broke down the often-daunting world of registering with HMRC and managing cash flow into bite-sized, digestible chunks that anyone could follow. I walked away feeling equipped to build a solid financial foundation for my business.
Last but certainly not least was the ever-inspiring Grace Marshall with “Rising to the Challenge of Change: Growing a Future-Ready Business.” Grace’s session was a refreshing reminder that change can be our ally, not our enemy. She encouraged us to view challenges as opportunities for growth and adaptation. With her uplifting perspective, I felt ready to tackle whatever curveballs the business world throws my way.
It’s safe to say, after soaking in all this fantastic wisdom, I emerged from the conference not just motivated but invigorated and armed with actionable strategies to fuel my business journey. If that doesn’t make a conference worth it, what does?
Networking Bliss
One of the sweetest parts of the day was the opportunity to meet some AMAZING people in person—many I’d only seen on LinkedIn or chatted with over the phone. It was brilliant to finally hug my digital comrades! Plus, I had some quality time with the speakers during breaks—potential collaborations on the horizon!
Lessons Learned and Steps Forward
Reflecting on the conference, I realised just how essential these gatherings are for a business owner. Yes, stepping away from my busy schedule did mean I was losing a few client hours, but the potential growth and new insights? Absolutely worth it! I came away with a treasure trove of ideas on branding, marketing, and embracing AI. My journey with Purple Caterpillar is about to get a delightful makeover!
A Glance at My Journey
It’s been quite a ride getting here! From my early days as a singing, dancing entertainer (yes, a Bluecoat at Pontins, and in a show team in Turkey, which sounds more glamorous than it was) to working admin positions in the Police Force. I eventually became a Project Manager for firms like Capita and IBM. My journey into the VA world was birthed out of necessity; after a couple of redundancies and a painful divorce, I finally made the leap I’d been waiting for forever. And thus, Purple Caterpillar was born.
Final Thoughts
Before I wrap up, I want to drop a tip for anyone thinking of attending such events in the future: make sure to bring your business cards! I forgot mine (cue the facepalm), but I cleverly snagged the LinkedIn barcodes trick from a fellow attendee—sometimes you just need to roll with the punches!
And dress comfortably – these days can be long in your heels (Private joke there to Nige).
Who fancies joining me next year?