The Truth About Me, My Business, and the Journey So Far

I’m going to start this off the way I mean to go on: honestly, unapologetically, and with a generous sprinkle of sass. If you’re new here, welcome! Buckle up, because I don’t do bland introductions. If you’ve known me for a while, then you already know I am allergic to sugar-coating and straight-talking is my love language. If you haven’t known me long follow me…

I was born and raised in France, and although I now call Oxfordshire home, my roots are still deeply ingrained in who I am. My heritage, my culture, and my upbringing have shaped me into the person I am today; fiercely passionate, resilient, and always up for a challenge. But if there’s one person who has influenced me more than anyone, it’s my grandmother. She was the strongest woman I have ever known, and I like to think I inherited at least a fraction of her strength, determination, and tenacity. She taught me that nothing is impossible if you have the will to make it happen.

But let’s not pretend that my journey to running this business has been all smooth sailing; it hasn’t. I didn’t just wake up one day, decide to start a business, and ride off into the sunset of entrepreneurial success. Oh no. It has been a rollercoaster of triumphs, missteps, deep sighs, caffeine-fuelled late nights, and more learning curves than I can count.

There have been moments of doubt, the kind that make me question if I was completely insane for taking this leap. There has been challenges that test my patience and resilience (and my ability not to throw my laptop out of the window). But through every setback, I have found new ways to push forward. I have learned, adapted, and discovered that I am far tougher than I ever gave myself credit for. I am fiercely passionate about what I do, because I know firsthand how much of a difference having the right support can make when you’re running a business.

I don’t believe in swooping in and taking over; My role isn’t to take charge, but to make life a little easier.

So, here’s my story, unfiltered and real. This is how I got here, what I do, and why, if you’re a business owner feeling overwhelmed, I might just be the person you need in your corner. Get comfy, grab a drink…

Where It All Began

Like many small business owners, I didn’t always know this was my calling. If you’d told me years ago that I’d be running my own Virtual Admin business, I probably would have laughed, rolled my eyes, and carried on rolling out fondant for a wedding cake. Because, believe it or not, before I was drowning in inboxes and business processes, I was up to my elbows in flour, sugar, and edible glitter.

Yes, I was running my own cake-making business, creating celebration and wedding cakes for clients who wanted something extra special for their big day. It was an incredible creative outlet, and I loved the artistry of it. But as much as I enjoyed it, the reality of balancing a cake business with raising three children and working in an employed role started to take its toll. The long hours, the unpredictable nature of custom orders, and the sheer physical demand of it all made me question whether I could keep going at that pace.

And then, life threw me an unexpected opportunity. A friend of mine, who was already working as a Virtual Assistant, asked if I wanted to do some admin work from home. It wasn’t some grand, life-changing moment. It wasn’t part of a master plan to build a business empire. It was just a way to make some extra money while being more present for my family. It felt practical, doable, and frankly, like a lifeline.

At first, I thought, "Why not?" After all, running my cake business had already given me firsthand experience of what it took to manage clients, schedules, and a never-ending to-do list. What started as a little side gig quickly turned into something more. There was something about organising processes, streamlining operations, and lifting that burden off someone’s shoulders that lit me up inside. Referrals started coming in, and it became clear that this was more than just a convenient way to earn extra income; it was a real opportunity.

Enter my friend again. Being the wonderful straight-shooter she is, sat me down for a no-nonsense chat. "You need to put your big girl pants on and make this full time," she told me. And she was right. I had been dancing around the idea of making this my full-time career, torn between the security of employment and the excitement (and fear) of going all in on myself.

That conversation was the push I needed. I took a deep breath, handed in my notice at my employed job, and stepped fully into my new reality as a business owner. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and absolutely the right decision. My cake tins went into semi-retirement, and my laptop became my new best friend.

Looking back, it wasn’t just about choosing a career; it was about choosing myself. Choosing to believe that I could build something meaningful, that I could create a business that worked for my life, and that I could finally take control of my time, my energy, and my future. And honestly? I’ve never looked back.

That was the moment I realised this wasn’t just a temporary solution. This was something real, something I was genuinely good at, and something that could give me the flexibility and fulfillment I had been searching for.

Looking back, my journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight line. It was a winding road of creativity, learning, and unexpected opportunities. And honestly?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Beauty (and Madness) of Different Minds

One of the things that truly fuels my passion for what I do is my firsthand experience with neurodivergence within my own family. I have seen the brilliance, the creativity, and the wonderfully unique ways of thinking that come with it. But I’ve also seen the overwhelm, the frustration, and the struggle to fit into a world that isn’t always built for different ways of processing information.

That’s why I care so deeply about helping anyone who feels like they’re drowning in chaos, whether that chaos is in their inbox, their processes, or just the way their brain works. I don’t believe in rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions because I know that no two people work the same way. Some need structure, some need flexibility, and some just need someone who understands that their way of thinking doesn’t fit into a neat little box.

So, I take the time to understand you - your way of working, your challenges, and your strengths. Whether you thrive on colour-coded spreadsheets or need systems that work with, rather than against, your natural way of thinking, I’m here to make life easier. My job is to bring clarity to the chaos, not to erase the parts of your business (or your brain) that make you unique.

The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Running a Business

Let’s be honest, being your own boss sounds amazing on paper. No more answering to a grumpy manager, no office politics, no rigid 9-to-5 structure. But what no one really tells you is that when you work for yourself, everything falls on your shoulders. There’s no IT department when your laptop decides to throw a tantrum at 11 PM. No HR team to step in when a client turns out to be a nightmare. No magic marketing guru sitting in the corner, effortlessly bringing in leads while you sip your tea.

It’s all on you.

And some days? That’s overwhelming. There have been times I’ve questioned if I made the right decision. There have been moments when I’ve stared at my screen at 11pm, fuelled by nothing but sheer determination, wondering if I should just throw in the towel and go back to the “security” of employment. I’ve had to wrestle with serious insecurity (imposter syndrome), deal with clients who expected the world for pennies, and navigate the ever-daunting challenge of setting (and enforcing) boundaries. It’s exhausting, and it’s personal, because when you are the business, every setback, every criticism, every late invoice is on you.

But here’s the thing, despite all of that, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge has taught me something valuable. Every mistake has pushed me to improve. Every “this is too much” moment has been followed by a “look how far I’ve come” realisation.

Running a business has forced me to grow in ways I never expected. I’m learning to say no to clients who aren’t the right fit. I’m still learning to charge what I’m worth, and honestly? It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to navigate in business. It’s so easy to undervalue yourself, especially when you’re just starting out. You question whether people will actually pay for your skills, you worry about pricing yourself out of opportunities, and before you know it, you can work yourself to exhaustion for far less than you deserve.

The truth is, putting a monetary value on yourself feels personal. When you run your own business, your work isn’t just ‘work’, it’s you. It’s your time, your expertise, your energy, and let’s be honest, a little bit of your soul. And that makes pricing a minefield of self doubt and second guessing.

I’ve had moments where I’ve looked at an invoice I was about to send and thought, ‘Is this too much?’ or ‘Will they think I’m worth this?’

But here’s what I’m learning: undercharging doesn’t just hurt me, it hurts my business. It undervalues the time, effort, and skill that goes into what I do. It’s not just about money, it’s about setting a standard, about respecting the work I put in, and about making sure my business is sustainable.

So no, I haven’t mastered it all yet. I still have moments of doubt, and I still occasionally find myself under-pricing out of habit or unable to say ‘no’. But I’m working on it. The key is to keep learning, keep growing, and remind yourself that your work does have value (and not just monetary!). Probably more than you give yourself credit for. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do everything myself (even if I still struggle to let go sometimes). I’ve learned that success isn’t about getting it perfect (and I’m an awful perfectionist!). It’s about getting it done, learning, and adapting along the way.

So, yes, there are tough days. But..

the freedom, the flexibility, and the sheer joy of building something that is mine? That makes it all worthwhile.

And if you’re someone who’s feeling the weight of running your business, know this: you’re not alone. It’s messy, it’s exhausting, and sometimes, it’s downright ridiculous. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. And trust me, you’ve got this.

So, Why Work With Me?

If you’ve made it this far, (you deserve a brew, a biscuit, and possibly a crown) and you might be wondering, Why Bene? What makes me different from every other VA out there? Well, let’s start with the most important thing: I genuinely care.

This isn’t just a job to me; this is my passion, my livelihood, and my way of making a real difference. My clients aren’t just names on a spreadsheet or invoices in my accounts; they are real people, with real struggles, dreams, and ambitions. And I take that seriously.

I know what it’s like to be in the thick of it, to feel like everything is piling up, and to wonder how on earth you’re supposed to juggle it all. I’ve been there. I’ve felt that weight. And I know that sometimes, you just need someone to say,

"I get it. Let me help."

It’s not a weakness to ask for support. It’s a strength. It means you’re smart enough to know that doing everything alone is exhausting, unsustainable, and, frankly, unnecessary. We all need help sometimes. That doesn’t make you any less capable or any less successful. It makes you human.

That’s why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I take the time to understand you - how you think, what overwhelms you, what your goals are, and what kind of structure actually works for you. Some people thrive on strict schedules, others need flexibility, room to breathe, and a system that works with their natural workflow, not against it. And that’s exactly what I create. Customised, realistic, and practical solutions that help my clients feel in control rather than constantly playing catch-up.

And let’s be honest, admin, systems, and organisation aren’t the sexy side of business. Most business owners don’t start their ventures thinking, "Oh, I just can’t wait to spend hours sorting emails and updating spreadsheets!" But me? I love this stuff. I find joy in making things work better, in seeing someone breathe a sigh of relief because they finally feel on top of things instead of buried under them. I thrive on taking messy, overwhelming processes and turning them into something streamlined, simple, and stress-free.

But beyond all that, I offer something more. I offer understanding. I know that life and business are messy. I know that sometimes, you need someone who won’t just do the work, but who will listen, support, and be in your corner when things get tough. Because at the end of the day, business isn’t just about numbers, systems, or efficiency. It’s about people. And I’m here to make sure that you, the person behind the business, are taken care of too.

And let’s not forget…sometimes, just having someone take care of something as simple as creating and scheduling your social media content can take an incredible weight off your shoulders. Imagine not having to stare at a blank screen, wondering what on earth to post next, or scrambling last-minute to throw something together. Even the small things can cause big stress and having someone who just sorts it can make all the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling like you’ve got your act together.

So, if you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, if you’re struggling to keep up, or if you just need someone to help you bring order to the chaos, let’s chat.

If any of this has resonated with you, if you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, if you need someone in your corner, or if you’re just curious about how I could help, let’s chat. Whether it’s over a virtual coffee or a quick DM, I’d love to hear from you.

Running a business is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone and honestly, you shouldn’t have to.. So, let’s make some magic happen. ✨

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