We ask the tough questions
Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
My grandmother. She told me when I was 14 years of age ‘the day I stop learning is the day I die’. She lived to her 99th year and was always teaching herself new words out of the dictionary and handwriting music. She taught me to love gardening and music and to keep learning, which I do.
What's the biggest thing you've learnt this year?
That nothing stays the same. The game plan keeps changing and I need to keep moving with it.
What’s your number one stress relief tactic (keep it clean!)?
Going for a walk in the fresh air outside, with my Nikon camera in hand. I’m a keen nature photographer and just 30 minutes out with nature does the trick. Even better if I get a cool bird shot.
What’s the most enjoyable element of your work? And the least enjoyable?
Most enjoyable: I love working with blogs and social media very much. I’ve had different ‘favourite’ things as the years have progressed but they're my most enjoyable activities currently.
Least enjoyable: Doing my own bookkeeping and filing.
What’s the best thing about being a soloist? And the worst thing?
The best thing: Being able to get on with the work without having to go to constant meetings and being disrupted by other people. I used to work in a busy office.
The worst thing: Being disrupted by other people! I’m talking about the phone, but I have to accept it if I want to get new clients. Most of my current clients email me and many of the new ones do too, via my website. Seriously though, I love working at home alone and feel I get so much more done these days than I did in my corporate days… nearly 19 years ago.
What inspires you most about your work?
I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined I would. Several ‘dreams’ from a lifetime ago have come to fruition plus so much more. And I still have dreams to aspire to.
What do you love most about running your own business?
The solitude. I don’t think I’d be good company in a corporate office anymore. I’d feel too stifled. I really am comfortable with my own company.
How would you describe yourself in three adjectives?
Hyperactive, friendly, easy-going.
How did your school report describe you (in three words)?
Talkative, chatterbox, achiever.
Do you subscribe to any magazines or newspapers?
Australian Photography, Yarra Valley & Ranges Country Life, Proverbs 31 Woman, Footprints
Can you stop at just one chocolate biscuit/savoury snack?
No way!
And now comes the plug!
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
I am a virtual assistant and I assist business owners in managing the administrative side of their businesses so they can do what they do best. I’m the secretary they need when they haven’t got a secretary! I began before the internet hence the word ‘secretary’ in my business name.
And where can we find out more?
- Flying Solo Directory: aclaytonssecretary.flyingsolo.com.au
- My website: www.vadirectory.net
- LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/kathiethomas
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AClaytonsSecretary
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kathiemt
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