Weighing up looking for another job after redundancy or starting your own business<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So while we were in the midst of a global pandemic, you were pregnant. What made you start Upsource from your kitchen table in April 2020?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oh my goodness. I think many reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The short version, if we go back to the start is, I had experienced redundancy before my first child was a year old, and it had been hard going, I felt a little bit lost after that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I went to go work at a friend\u2019s family business. It was a great place. But obviously during Covid, it was very in person, and it wasn\u2019t what I was used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d kind of got used to, I\u2019d been working at a virtual assistant agency before, so that was my background. I\u2019d got used to, pre-Covid actually, the virtual life, a certain amount of flexibility doing work when it worked for me and not just when it needs to be done and things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I guess redundancy was where it all started and not fitting into the employment world anymore or that\u2019s how it felt. And when I tried it the second time around, I think in person wasn\u2019t right either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, when the world went into lockdown, it was a while till I knew if I was going to be furloughed or not. So I felt, \u201cRight, here we go again,\u201d main carer, no job, which is very important to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think it\u2019s very important for women to continue their careers if that\u2019s what they want to do and if that\u2019s what they\u2019re passionate about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I thought, well, I can either look for another job while I\u2019m pregnant and start making sure I can pay the nursery fees if hopefully the world does open up, or I can try it on my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pandemic led to a greater understanding of juggling work and childcare<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And actually figures show that there was a real surge in female entrepreneurship during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d love to hear your take on what the advantages and disadvantages were of starting a business during that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, that\u2019s a fantastic question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think it\u2019s hard because I think there were some personal advantages. So my husband did work from home, that was great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So while we were reliant on his income and his very busy job, I communicated what I wanted to do. So every day we did allow me things like, the time to have a bath because I was pregnant and tired or, time to start working on my business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t lie, I did nothing for maybe two hours per day for about three months. Once I got out the sickness stage, I did creep up more. So that was an advantage for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do think maybe the virtual networking was a real advantage. I don\u2019t know how I would\u2019ve felt about going into town and networking during those first few months. And I managed to do quite a bit online and meet some people, especially in the VA world. So that was a real advantage as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think people started to open up a bit more. Everyone was at home, whether you were employed or running a business, a lot of people were at home with kids. And so there was that real appreciation at the time of the importance of childcare, what people were juggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when you were starting a business and needed to juggle it around childcare and things, people got it during lockdown. I think that was a real advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t need a lot of money to start up a virtual assistant business<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And how did you fund the business in those early days to get it off the ground?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It was very bootstrapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So fortunately, the virtual assistant world is something you can start on very little money. I invested less than \u00a31,000 on a website. I also asked around, so I got recommendations. A friend of a friend did our branding, a friend of a friend did the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I invested obviously some money in the things you need too, which is insurance, ICO registration, the important things. And also some networking groups, which were quite low cost at the time as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So actually very little money, and it was more time and also getting into my plans and things, that\u2019s where the investment came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Putting in the right processes, so your business can run smoothly when you go on maternity leave<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And then I know that six months into launching the business, you went on maternity leave and had to hand over all your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How hard was it to step back from that business that you\u2019d built, and what processes did you put in place to make sure that the business could run smoothly without you at the helm?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I think actually looking back on it, I was very fortunate that it was in the plan to take maternity leave, and it meant I could plan from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think I had two clients to tell I was going on maternity leave, but otherwise I opened up that conversation from the start, thanks to some encouragement from my VA mentor and the mentorship they\u2019re in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were like, just tell them from the start, and the clients were really great about me doing that. They came on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I hope that gives some confidence to anyone who is worried about telling clients or taking on new clients about going on maternity leave. I\u2019m very encouraging of starting it and then handing it over. So that\u2019s what I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something that was really important for my business was having a lead. I had a lead VA, who was someone I\u2019d worked with before, so we\u2019d already had that relationship. She was taking on one of my clients, one of my bigger clients, but also was there for the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a small team of five I handed over to her, but she was there for any questions if the clients needed anything. They knew I was on maternity leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there was also that respect there for the few months I wasn\u2019t around, especially as the clients were communicated to that our baby was in hospital for a while after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it was fairly smooth running on that side, but it was stressful. Even now because my job is to match clients and their perfect VA, that\u2019s a lot easier than my clients and handing them over to a VA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a lot of work that went into that, especially with one because they were going through such a business overhaul. So I\u2019d done all of that with them and then needed to hand it over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I think a process, the right software, and the right people, and that was three things that were definitely needed to take the leap of maternity leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s really interesting that because you were pregnant, you built a business that could run without you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you think it would\u2019ve looked quite different had you not been pregnant? Do you think you put certain processes in place right from the start because of that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, definitely, I agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think I would\u2019ve stayed because I removed myself from doing VA work. I decided to give that a try once returning from maternity leave, but I think I would\u2019ve stayed doing that work for a lot longer, maybe keeping one large client who I really enjoyed working with or even a couple of smaller ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite a stickler for the process, so I think I probably would\u2019ve put them in place, but not quite as quickly as I did. I remember my plan was to probably step away, keeping in mind that things don\u2019t always go to plan, about a month before my due date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was around for a while and had some wiggle room, but between my second and third trimester I got really tired, really fatigued. I\u2019d been working very hard. So I moved that forward. And then it worked out to be about a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suffering with PTSD and using your business to regain your identity<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And then when you did return to the business, you had quite a sick baby and I know you suffered from PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you just talk us through that experience and how you coped with that personally and as an entrepreneur?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I think first and foremost was that backup plan. No one ever wants to talk about worst case scenario, but we really did have the worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so we had someone my husband could contact, to let them know things weren\u2019t okay, and that was it. Nothing was needed from me, I could step away from the business and that was great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then actually having the business was fantastic for me, not in terms of recovery, but an escapism from that trauma. It was very separate my business from what we went through with my child and coming back home during lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I think that was the great thing about having a business, was that I had something there, but it wasn\u2019t all in. It\u2019s not returning to a job where you have to agree certain hours, and it\u2019s kind of all or nothing. It was there when I needed it and at times that was a great thing to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The VA world is a lovely world for a lot of women who have gone through maternity. So it was a pleasure to have the business afterwards, even though there was obviously stuff I was suffering with personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It sounds like in many ways, having that business was part of the healing process because it gave you that part of your identity back, and you had that really safe supportive network around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, I think so. I think that\u2019s an excellent point. It was probably part of my identity of no matter what there\u2019s this to keep me going in a different way when I\u2019m feeling concerned about all these other things that went on because of our child being in NICU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to manage and balance a 4-day working week<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So now you work four days a week, more than you did when you were a full-time PA or VA. How do you maintain that balance and how easy is it to switch off on that fifth day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a constant managing of that. I\u2019ve learned, and this is one thing probably a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners can identify with, my personality doesn\u2019t switch off very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s why I feel I might as well own a business, earn money, and do something I\u2019m passionate about by not switching off very well, then pouring that into a company that may at some point not be the right fit for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s kind of the first thing as well, is I\u2019ve made peace with my personality type. But Wednesdays, yes, it\u2019s a constant thing that I re-address all the time as well as also I do the school run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that does mean an earlier day most of the time a lot of the other days. But I do have my own personal assistant, and they run my inbox on Wednesdays completely. And that\u2019s still a work in process, we\u2019ve only just started that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And being someone who has done a lot of this myself, I know that takes time. I have a community manager who helps me with the team. So anything on that side, everyone knows who the main contact is, especially on a Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wednesday I\u2019m very strict on Mummy days. It doesn\u2019t always work out. Occasionally I\u2019ll have the odd meeting. I tend to leave that though if it tends to be another mum who knows what I\u2019m doing and manage expectations on what\u2019s going on my side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I think it\u2019s something I constantly have to readdress and make sure I\u2019m doing the right thing and make sure it works out and don\u2019t try and overstretch myself, but also remember when I am working late in the evenings, that\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I wouldn\u2019t change that. I really enjoy that flexibility right now and having that day with my child and knowing it\u2019s there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest challenge is working out who your perfect client is<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And so you are nearly three years into the business now. When you look back, what were some of those big early challenges, and what do you now wish you\u2019d done differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oh my goodness, I can\u2019t believe it\u2019s almost been three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think, like with any business, who is the perfect Upsource client, who we want to work with, that\u2019s still a process we\u2019ve been going through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve definitely seen a change in that, especially as we became a limited company and VAT registered. So that does change your client base naturally. And I\u2019ve realised that as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What sort of team I want to work with, who works well with Upsource, who works well with me and the clients. I really do like a huge mix of characters on the team. So that means a different mix of clients as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early days things, it was mainly small things. My website was on a host that wasn\u2019t the right fit, so I changed it over to WordPress last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was kind of smaller things, and I\u2019m always, like any entrepreneur or business owner, just sorting out processes and making sure they\u2019re all right, they meet the business needs that we have right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m a firm believer in a process and the right software, so I\u2019m always re-evaluating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your business reputation changes once you become VAT registered<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To pick up on your point around working out who the right clients are for you, what does your perfect client look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And how did your reputation change when you became a limited company? Did it give you more gravitas and credibility?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it was interesting. I think it did it for me. It meant, right, okay, this is a business. We did it because we reached a certain level of income. That was really helpful. Also, I did then start to attract the clients that were VAT registered as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s kind of how things worked out. It also meant they were on larger hours, which suits us, and the business and my time and the team\u2019s time better is ones around on 30, 40-hour packages. Our core service is still personal assistant services, inbox, diary management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So a lot of our perfect clients tend to be CEOs of whether it\u2019s startups, scale-ups, SMEs, agencies, and also some corporate coaches because they don\u2019t have a team, and they really rely on the freelancers around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So they\u2019re a great client to have as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did notice a shift after we became VAT registered. There were a few clients still coming in whom, in a different life I\u2019d really like to work with in a different way, but just weren\u2019t suitable and didn\u2019t have the income that could afford Upsource at that time for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it was a good shift at that time. It was a nice thing to go through. We went through quite a lot of growth, and now I think this year it\u2019s just going to be a bit more meaningful and a bit more well planned, our growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What tasks should entrepreneurs and SMEs look at outsourcing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So you work with a lot of entrepreneurs and SMEs. What\u2019s your advice to them on what tasks they should be outsourcing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Well, there\u2019s a really, really simple thing you can do, which is note down your regular tasks. So that\u2019s your daily, monthly, weekly, even ones that are ad hoc and annual things that end up falling on CEOs like registering your insurance and ICO which I talked about earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make a list of those or keep those in mind or do a brainstorm with someone, like a virtual assistant agency owner or a virtual assistant and get those tasks off your plate because those are the ones you can easily take off your plate. And I would start to get used to delegating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can\u2019t grow doing it all yourself, that\u2019s the fact, and you need to be able to let go of things. So starting with things like that would work really well. Also, think of things that you don\u2019t like doing, shouldn\u2019t be doing, hate doing. Those are excellent tasks to hand over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So for example, I am not a writer. I\u2019m not good at that. So I\u2019ve always had someone doing the copywriting for me. And it actually gets done as well. I realised I had the aim to start a blog for a year, and now I have someone writing one for me twice a month, things like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also have someone external take a look at your inbox and diary because sometimes when you\u2019re so in it every day you feel, how would I hand this over? Where would I begin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the truth is it takes time, but you either invest in it now or invest in it later kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So those would be some of my quick recommendations for figuring out how you can get help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Focus on 3 goals for the week to keep yourself realistically disciplined<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And in terms of delegation and managing your own tasks, are you quite disciplined with that? How do you manage your diary each day? What do you focus on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, so it\u2019s a constant process. I did say to my VA, she looked at me like a true VA when I said, \u201cRight on Thursdays I need to do this. And so that means I can\u2019t do Thursday calls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And she was like, \u201cAt all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The look of fear on her face, bless her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is something I try and plan well because I think I\u2019ve definitely gone through periods where I\u2019m just on calls back-to-back each day and that doesn\u2019t serve me or the business well. So trying to see how I can step away from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s where they\u2019re looking at the roles internally as well as just my calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are things I know I need to do every day. For example, we\u2019ve talked briefly about PTSD and recovery, so I know I need to meditate every day. I need to move in some form every day because health is a priority now no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there are things like that I need to prioritise in my day. Obviously I\u2019m not perfect. Things crop up that are urgent with clients or VA\u2019s, and I\u2019m there for them. That\u2019s my job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But as long as I go into the week trying this, and I\u2019m quite disciplined with my three goals for the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the three things I really want to achieve? And when I\u2019m not disciplined on that, it\u2019s normally a sign that I need to re-address things again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your business is only as good as the people you recruit<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And the team that you have around you are obviously so important. What are your tips and lessons on recruiting the right team?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m constantly learning with recruitment. It\u2019s important to know that it\u2019s not always going to work out. My friend worked in HR, and she once told me that it\u2019s only like four in five hires that work out. So one doesn\u2019t work out in every five, which was a really nice rule to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because I think sometimes, especially in the VA world, we can take it quite hard on ourselves if something doesn\u2019t work out. But it\u2019s not always going to work out, it\u2019s a people business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve listened to a lot of podcasts and a lot of things on people businesses outside the VA world to know the challenges that come with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But my top tip is always about the community. I\u2019m really invested in the virtual assistant world and trying to always think about how can I be more invested in the virtual assistant world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s how you can find the best people ultimately is being ingrained in that community. And word of mouth referrals to VAs mean just as much as referrals to clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I said this to someone the other day, I chat to potential VAs more than I do potential clients. So I actually do invest more time in that because we\u2019re only as good as the people we have on the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Managing virtual freelancers<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And how do you manage a team of virtual freelancers? How tricky is that to keep tabs on everyone and lead a team?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I have the right people in place, so it\u2019s not just me on that side. I have someone who helps me on the community, someone who manages the operations side of things as well as my own VA as well. So the pressure isn\u2019t all on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also with freelancers, it\u2019s not managing them. It\u2019s not in the same way that you would an employee. So there is a certain level of autonomy and trust that has to come from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I\u2019m also a stickler for a process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there are processes in place just to make things easier. And my key thing is communication. I can\u2019t help someone if I don\u2019t know about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if someone comes to me with their problem or whatever they need to talk about or something they\u2019d like to work on with a client or comes to my team about it, then that\u2019s how we can work together the best way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I try to give the same back. I try to be quite open in return as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a performer vs an entrepreneur\u2014which is scarier?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Talking of communication, I know that you have a background as a performer, so I\u2019m wondering how that has shaped and impacted you as an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oh, hugely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think there\u2019s a lot of credit to the background of singing and dancing, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019d be here on this podcast with you if I didn\u2019t have a performer background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is nothing more terrifying than singing to a room full of people. I think I\u2019m actually quite good at interviews and things because nothing is as scary as that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s something very vulnerable, especially with singing, because it\u2019s your voice and putting that out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So actually while I had all the fears that come with putting Upsource out there, especially when I felt like I had failed with redundancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And putting yourself out there with a business, I think when you\u2019ve done that as a singer, I think you\u2019re actually kind of used to doing the things that are scary and if you fail it\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advantages of being surrounded by other entrepreneurs<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You come from a family of entrepreneurs as well, do you think that made you less fearful of starting your own business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, definitely having people I\u2019d seen in my family run their own businesses, yeah, I think definitely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad is an accountant, so as long as the finances look good I know I\u2019m on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Did he check your finances?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes. He\u2019s my accountant. And the first time I showed him my spreadsheet of what I wanted to do, he was like, \u201cYeah, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then we sat down, and I was like, \u201cI just want you to look at where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he was like, \u201cOh, you\u2019ve got a business here.\u201d And I was like, \u201cYeah, thanks.\u201d So that was nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But also, I do have, especially my husband\u2019s friends, a lot of them have their own businesses, and it is nice to chat with that community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve never felt like one of those business owners that feels lonely in business because I know plenty of people that do it and plenty of people that don\u2019t do it as well to remind me that I\u2019m in quite a lucky position here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to scale your business but also know if you\u2019re growing too fast<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And you also work so closely with your clients, you\u2019re always on the inside of a business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What have you learned from them about scaling up a business, and what have you learned not to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For me, it\u2019s hard because all business models are different in how they do things. I think coming from a place of trust is a great position to have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Micromanaging isn\u2019t going to get a scaling business very far from what I\u2019ve learnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, I\u2019ve always been quite wary that we had a period of fast growth at Upsource, and I don\u2019t want to grow that fast again in the next few years because I never want to sacrifice growth for the people who are managing that within the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what I\u2019ve seen sometimes from other businesses that I\u2019ve been in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think it\u2019s important to sacrifice your growth for the happiness of its people. I\u2019ve not set up Upsource for that model of being just a financially driven business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do you know when you are growing too fast? What was the point where you felt that you needed to put the brakes on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I think if it feels a bit unmanageable, and you are not proud of the output that you are giving other people, I guess. Because things happen, things change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I think if you need to re-address your time constantly and feel like you\u2019re not achieving how you want your business to be run, I think you can find that out quite easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you can see that if you are proud of what you\u2019re achieving and what you\u2019re doing each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, you can have days where you\u2019re like, \u201cThat was crazy. What happened today?\u201d Or, \u201cThis is a strange week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve definitely had one of those recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when you get to a point, you\u2019re like, all these things have happened, but I\u2019ve also managed to do this, you know then you are in a good position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future vision for Upsource<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And what are your plans for growth? Where do you see Upsource going?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s your vision for the company?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oh gosh, we\u2019ve got plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re definitely going to grow the next two years. Look at definitely expanding our core services to other clients, which are traditional virtual assistant support, inbox, diary management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can also see us expanding a little into providing HR support, more financial support, which we have started for some clients with the AML registration and things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So definitely seeing what else we can do for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve got one client right now, we\u2019re putting a really exciting structure in place for her business involving a chief of staff and a virtual assistant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d love to see what other clients would benefit from that sort of support from us coming in and supporting with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My business doesn\u2019t keep me awake at night\u2014just my kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\nKate Bassett:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So there are lots of opportunities for growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What would you say are the biggest barriers at the moment? What\u2019s keeping you awake at night?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caroline Marshall:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite fortunate that doesn\u2019t keep me awake. Maybe it\u2019s because I\u2019ve got two little babies that keep me awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think there\u2019s only so much time. I\u2019d never want the business to sacrifice the happiness of me or the team. So that is always the first and foremost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it got to a point in the growth wasn\u2019t being manageable, it\u2019s either, we\u2019ve got to re-evaluate the structure, bring someone else in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or just put the brakes on the gears and be like, right, let\u2019s re-address who are our clients again, who do we want to support?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And go back to the drawing board in that sense. Not completely at the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But no, I\u2019m quite fortunate I don\u2019t get kept awake by my business, just the kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this small business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join our community to share your insights and stories on Twitter @SageIreland<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can check out Upsource on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Upsource or Caroline Marshall?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/08\/YBCA_FY19_Intacct_V3_0338-1-1215x810.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/04\/z.5E3A0481_All-Uses.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"