My Journey
In business, people don’t just buy services — they buy into people.
Behind every business is a story shaped by experiences, challenges, and decisions that influence how that business shows up in the world. I’ve always been drawn to organisations where the people behind them feel visible and relatable, not faceless.
After reading a candid story from another business owner who openly shared her journey — including the challenges she faced along the way — it reminded me how powerful honesty can be. Not oversharing, but real sharing. The kind that says: I’ve been there, I understand, and I’ve learned.
This is my story — and how Sampson VA Services came to be.
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Early Years and Finding My Feet
I grew up in Surrey, sharing my birthday with my sister — something we’ve laughed about for years. Like many siblings, we clashed growing up, but those early years taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to navigate relationships — lessons I didn’t realise I’d rely on later in business.
At school, I kept a low profile. Academics didn’t light a fire in me, and my GCSE results reflected that. What did interest me was people. My first job in a hair salon introduced me to conversation, connection, and listening — skills that would quietly shape my future career.
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Learning About Work, People, and Confidence
In my late teens, I worked in a warehouse environment. The job itself was routine, but the culture — camaraderie, humour, and teamwork — taught me how important relationships are in the workplace.
In 2003, I moved into a role selling franchises. Standing on stage in front of thousands of people became part of my job. At the time, I took it in my stride. Looking back now, it’s something I’d find far more daunting — but it showed me early on that confidence can be built, even if you don’t realise it in the moment.
When the business later closed, I was made redundant — a reminder that stability isn’t always guaranteed.
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Career Changes, Family, and Perspective
A temporary role as a stock administrator turned into a permanent position — and into meeting my future husband, Tony.
As life progressed, commuting long distances became unsustainable. A near miss on the motorway was the turning point. It became clear that something had to change.
In 2010, I became a mum. Family life reshaped my priorities entirely. Around the same time, my father became unwell, and supporting him through his final weeks profoundly changed how I viewed time, work, and balance.
Those experiences stay with you.
Discovering Remote Work
To earn additional income, I began working from home as a consultant. It suited me immediately.
Working remotely gave me flexibility without removing purpose. It allowed me to contribute professionally while being present for my family — something that mattered deeply to me.
The hours weren’t always neat. Late nights became common once the children were asleep, but the autonomy made it worthwhile. With support from my husband, remote work became a sustainable way of life rather than a compromise.
Growth, Lockdown, and a Turning Point
Years later, with a small but steady client base, I reached capacity working alone. I wanted more — not more hours, but more impact.
During lockdown, with family life and work colliding under one roof, the decision became clear. Growth required change.
I began planning the transition from solo consultant to agency owner.
Building Sampson VA Services
The shift from individual support to agency was intentional.
I already had:
Experience
Systems
Client relationships
A clear understanding of what businesses needed
Sampson VA Services was built with flexibility, structure, and people at its core.
Rebranding, hiring, and building processes happened quickly. I invested significant time planning, writing content, and laying foundations so the business could grow sustainably rather than reactively.
Where We Are Today
Today, Sampson VA Services is supported by a dedicated team of skilled virtual assistants, each bringing their own strengths and expertise.
The business has grown beyond what I could have delivered alone — while staying rooted in the values that matter most to me:
Transparency
Approachability
Relationships
Sustainable growth
Looking Ahead
I’ve never been someone to settle for “good enough”.
Looking forward, my focus remains on growing the business thoughtfully — expanding services without losing the human element that defines how we work.
I’m also passionate about supporting others who want to build careers as virtual assistants, and in time, I plan to develop training and guidance to support that journey.
Final Thoughts
My journey hasn’t been linear or perfect — but it’s been real.
Every experience has shaped how Sampson VA Services operates today. From relationships and resilience to flexibility and leadership, those lessons are embedded into how we support our clients and our team.
If you’re looking for business support that’s built on understanding, experience, and real-world perspective, we’d love to explore how we can support you. Take a look at our about us page.