Name: Traci Winterburn

Trading Ward: Keighley

Business Name: Ask My PA

Business Address:

16 St. John's Way, Keighley, BD22 6EF

Website: Ask My PA

Email: Contact Ask My PA

Telephone: 0844 736 1450

Background of Business

Traci Winterburn, of Keighley, knows only too well how helpful a good Personal Assistant can be to business people who need to maximise their time. She spent more than six years as a PA at the Bradford & Bingley, assisting senior managers, departmental heads and, at times, a director. So when she left the bank she decided to launch Ask My PA, offering ‘virtual PA' services. Says Traci: "It's important for busy people running successful businesses to have someone answer incoming calls in a professional manner, especially when they are away from their office. I also manage clients' diaries and travel arrangements."

Support Journey

For guidance on setting up her business Traci contacted Keighley-based Airedale Enterprise Services. Rav Panesar, a Kickstart Business Counsellor, helped her to produce a business plan and cash flow forecast, while advising her on pricing and marketing. Traci also successfully applied for support under the Kickstart professional services scheme. This has enabled her to have marketing brochures professionally designed and printed. Training courses run by Business Link Yorkshire helped her to build her confidence and improve her knowledge of running a small business. Colin Brear, of Business Link, also provided guidance, working in partnership with Kickstart.

Where are they now

With additional support from the Kickstart-funded GRID* business centre in Manningham - it's now based within the Carlisle Business Centre - Traci is now building her business. She already has several clients and intends to expand by recruiting suitably qualified personal assistants as demand for virtual PA services grows. Because the service can be provided from the PA's home, representing Ask My PA could prove especially attractive to experienced people with family commitments.

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