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Liz Horne
pro Member - SOMERSET
Liz Horne Virtual Assistant
I offer full admin, PA, exec and office function support to SME and start ups OR any business that needs to offload mundane tasks so that they can concentrate on what generates them an income.
A bit about me...
I have spent the last 35 years working in busy corporate office environments as a Marketing Manager, PA, Exec support and Office Manager. In September 2022 I felt it was time for a change and went freelance and now I support a number of CEO's in start ups and small companies without any back office or admin support, with tasks such as diary and email management, booking travel and arranging attendance to events/exhibitions, managing a team of engineers weekly timesheets and many other tasks.
Its been a big change transitioning from being employed in a busy role to working from home but a positive move.
I am married to Nevil and have 2 lovely step daughters, son in laws and now 2 gorgeous grandchildren. We also have a very moody and sulky Jack Russel who we love despite her personality dissorders, of which there are many.
We live in Blagdon and between us we project managed rebuillding our house 2 years ago. We started on the landscaping late 2022 and this is a work in progress.
I also manage our small rental property port folio myself and have always had a keen interest in property.
Recommendations
"Had a great meet up with one of my Associate VAs - Liz Horne. It was actually the first time we have met in person but that hasn't stopped us from working together. Liz is one of the associates who helps me to support my clients, this ensures that we have continuity for things like holiday cover. Liz generally gets involved with email management, ad hoc project work and follow up calls. I know some of my clients know they have worked with Liz but others may not be aware that she is behind the scenes helping out. Lovely to meet you finally Liz ?"
Recommended by Rachel Nash, Smart Office Support
"Thanks for the update, Liz!! You are a HIGHLY valuable part of the team, so if you are able/willing to support us, we are very glad to keep working with you for the hours needed. Thanks again for your transparency and comms. July 2023"
Recommended by Amanda Siqueira, CEO of VAPAR UK Limited
"Liz was a great PA and office manager. Managing my diary effectively and efficiently in a complex environment and managing an office in a busy environment. Liz is diligent and conscientious and loves to be kept busy. She is a great team player and develops good working relationships across stakeholders. I would recommend her."
Recommended by Alexis Edward, Chief Financial and Operating Officer
"I have been working with Liz since September 2022 and have thrown all manner of tasks at her. Each task has been met with the same positive “can-do” attitude, completed efficiently and to a very high standard. Such a great find and long may our working relationship continue. Feb 2023"
Recommended by Andy Rawling, Company Director, FIGFI Ltd
"Working with Liz has been such a pleasure. She has seamlessly integrated herself into our team and is always responsive and diligent with supporting our work. Feb 2023"
Recommended by Amanda Siqueira, CEO of VAPAR UK Limited
A bit more about me
What's the most enjoyable thing about your work?
Variety! I can be proof reading a website for a marketing client or arranging international travel for another client one minute and running reports in a timesheet software the next. Some of the tasks I get set are more personal, for example, client (a) lost his mother and wanted me to get gas installed to her house, get gas central heating fitted and connected, put the house on the market, deal with the estate agents and chase up the conveyancing plus liaise with the probate solicitors looking after her estate. I updated my client regularly until the tasks were completed and continue to work with client (a).
What is your vision for your business?
To continue working with my existing clients. I have a good level of trust with my current clients and value the relationships that we have built . I would just like to spread a little bit more "Lizzy Magic" to one or two further clients to reach my desired workload.
If you could give one single piece of advice to a new start up business, what would it be?
Seek out a networking group that suits you asap. The support you get from the groups is invaluable and will help you through the days when you feel lost and are not sure what you are doing, which direction to head in, where your niche is etc..... We all have them!
Which business person or company do you admire most and why?
Probably my brother in law and his company that he started from nothing many years ago. He is not an academic and is dyslexic. He's gone through some horrendous cash flow issues over the years but has never given up. He was 60 a year ago and ended up selling his, now internationally successful, business to his directors for a large sum of money. He remains in the business in an advisory capacity for the next 4 years and gets paid very handsomely for his trouble.
He has had to be bold and brave with his business decisions and he's successfully surrounded himself with good people, rewarded them well and valued them to ensure he gets commitment and continued service from them.
To me he epitomises a successful entrepreneur with a great human touch.
Which one phrase or quote sums up your attitude to business life?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What made you join WMB and how do you plan to make the most of the network?
I was trying lots of networking groups and looking for the one where it felt like the best fit. I loved the format of the WMB meetings and loved the whole ethos of the company ie the nurturing and genuine help that is available.
What do you do at week-ends?
I often spend time with our grandchildren who are currently (2023) 1 and 3 years old. I also have elderly parents in a nursing home in Torbay, Devon so I travel south to see them regularly. When I am not doing either of those things I love meeting up with friends for a drink or I'll cook a meal and have friends over. I also love a girly shopping trip with lunch thrown in. I run a women's group in Blagdon so we have quarterly events with the ladies in the village that I organise, the last one was an art class followed by a boozy lunch and we have abseiling coming up plus a trip to the Pony and Trap for lunch too. I love to take my delinquent Jack Russell to the beach, her favourite place. Finally, if there is nothing else going on, my absolute favourite thing to do is to go for a meal with my husband, just me and him!!
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 2 luxury items would you take?
Face cream and sun block
What book are you currently reading?
I've just finished a book by Jodi Picoult entitled The Book of Two Ways.
What book(s) would you recommend?
The Chimp Paradox, The Mind Management by Prof Steve Peters
The Moon Sisters trilogy by Lucinda Riley
Who's your personal hero and why?
My dad is my personal hero. He's always put his family first, provided well and looked after us all, carried out charitable works and raised funds for those in need, he was an inspirational educator to his students and always gave great solid advice to family, friends, students and associates alike. He also worked with Victim Support for several years and was responsible for talking several people out of suicide attempts. He's just an all round good guy with strong morals, values and beliefs that he instilled into us as children and later as adults. If I can be half as good a human as he is, then I will be really proud of myself.
What is your worst experience in business or work?
Whilst employed in a recent role, working for a member of my family, I was being trained by a lady who wouldn't give me any tasks to complete. She hogged all the work and I sat there bored out of my mind. For someone who likes to be kept busy this was torturous.
What was your first ever job?
A Sunday paper round in a very affluent area of Torquay. The paper bag weighed a ton, with all the supplements on board. The local milk man used to take pity on me and give me a lift to the start of my round.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Being by the coast in Cornwall or Devon and watching stormy seas from indoors by an open fire whilst eating and drinking with my husband. Why?? Why not, its my idea of heaven.
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