Becoming a Virtual Assistant: The Personal Story Behind SR Pro VA

Welcome to SR Pro VA. My name is Stephanie, your professional Virtual Assistant, providing you with thorough assistance to organise your tasks and keep your business moving through thoughtful execution. I thought I’d start by sharing a bit about me and why I decided to become a Virtual Assistant.

This is a venture I have been thinking about for a while now, and those who know me will tell you that I’m the quiet one in the background, listening intently, taking everything in and weighing up pros and cons. And then, just when everyone thinks I’m still thinking about it… bam — I’ve gone and done something unexpected. (Think eloping in Gibraltar or announcing a pregnancy no one saw coming!) This year, I have decided it’s now or never. A little dream that had been sitting quietly in the back of my mind finally became something I couldn’t ignore.

Motherhood and a Shift in Perspective

Since having my little boy, my whole world has changed. I’m sure everyone says that, but I had really not expected to have any children. I’d also been through some very tough life events just before having my son, and it has really changed my outlook on life.

I’ve always loved having a career and working my way up through the corporate ladder, but now that I’m a mother, I want to be present for my little boy, as you really don’t get these years back. As well as being able to provide him with nice things and new experiences, I want to show him that you really can do anything if you put your mind to it.

A Career Built on Detail, Development, and Helping Others

My first ‘proper’ full-time job was with Hampshire Constabulary at the ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO), as it was known at the time. I started as an Office Clerk in the UKCA‑ECR — the United Kingdom Central Authority for the Exchange of Criminal Records — mainly handling data entry and email management while liaising with UK and overseas Police Forces.

I progressed quickly, moving to the Police Certificates department and eventually becoming a PNC (Police National Computer) Analyst/Administrator. My final role there took me back to UKCA‑ECR, where I was responsible for analysing and mapping overseas offences to their UK equivalents and uploading them to the Criminal Records database — a role that demanded meticulous attention to detail.

As I became experienced in this role, I began training others, which opened my eyes to the world of Learning and Development. I then secured a role with Babcock International as a Learning and Development Advisor supporting the Royal Navy. It was within this role that I became a qualified Coach and helped Royal Navy personnel explore their personal and professional development options.

When Capita took over the contract with the Royal Navy, I took on the role of Resettlement Advisor alongside my L&D duties, and later progressed to L&D Hub Manager, overseeing all L&D and Resettlement services within the Portsmouth area. My attention to detail skills were essential in this role, and I found myself improving and streamlining admin processes so the team could spend more meaningful time supporting Royal Navy personnel.

The Common Threads

When I looked back on my career and analysed what I enjoyed most, the common threads I found were:

• I love helping people.

• I need to be organised and in control of my workload.

• I enjoy creating training materials and documentation.

• I’m happiest when I’m improving processes and making things smoother for everyone involved.

  
  

And, if I’m being completely honest… I get shit done. Now I didn’t want to swear in this blog post, I am a professional, I assure you… But I am also human, and this is my story after all.

Why Becoming a Virtual Assistant Made Perfect Sense

Becoming a Virtual Assistant is the perfect fit for me, as it combines my love for helping others, organisation and creativity by supporting busy professionals and small businesses behind the scenes, helping them to get shit done.  

I’m someone you can bounce ideas off — someone who can take the messy, half-formed thoughts in your head and help turn them into something real, structured, and actionable. Helping people bring their ideas to life is where I thrive.

How I Support the People I Work With

Supporting people has always been at the heart of everything I do, and SR Pro VA is my way of doing that with purpose and intention.

I help individuals and businesses by providing:

• Organisational support that keeps the moving parts of your business running smoothly.

• Training materials and documentation that are clear, engaging, and easy to use.

• Process improvements that save time, reduce stress, and create consistency.

• Reliable admin support that frees you up to focus on what you do best.

  
  

I’m here to take the weight off the admin and those tasks that make you procrastinate. They may not always be a high priority, but deep down, you know they need to be done for you to focus your time and energy on the more important aspects of your business.

My services are designed for people who want a partner they can trust — someone who listens, understands how they work, and gets things done with care and precision.

Let’s Create Space for What Matters Most

Whether you’re a coach, an L&D professional, a solopreneur, or simply someone juggling too many plates, I’m here to help you move forward with more ease and less stress.

If you’re ready to feel more organised, more supported, and more in control of your workload, I’d love to chat. Let’s explore how SR Pro VA can help you create the space you need to grow, breathe, and focus on what matters most.