Hi, I’m Caroline Walker, Co-Managing Director of Balenst. Balenst is a diverse offering of Virtual Assistance and Ergonomic Furniture Consultancy, and I am the Virtual Assistant.

My husband, Mark, and I always wanted to create our own perfect work-life balance.  We both had achieved senior positions during successful careers, but the pandemic caused a shift.

A shift in the traditional ways of doing business, and a shift in our perspectives. We were all affected by the turbulence of the pandemic. For us it caused a re-evaluation of our beliefs and of our careers. We no longer felt that corporate life fitted with our ‘new normal.’

And so, we took it as an opportunity to focus on what we love doing, without the politics of the business culture. We’ve developed a work-life balance that fits around our busy and productive lives.

At a young age of 46, I have carried out a wide variety of roles during my career.  And the combination of the skills and experience gained has put me in great stead for running my own VA business.

Before setting up Balenst I had been the Operations Manager for a small IFA firm. 

Responsible for all the support functions to the business and service delivery to its clients.  Reporting direct to the Business Owners, it was an extremely demanding role that evolved over the years and one that I was immensely proud for what I had accomplished.

In previous years, I worked mainly in purchasing roles, buying anything from toilet u-bends to hard drives for HP, until I secured my first Management role as Purchasing Manager at Posturite, which is where I met Mark.  I have also led an Investments and Property Team for a SIPP company and even tried my hand at recruitment when I relocated to the Midlands to be with Mark.

I have been described as a ‘natural organiser’ and the ‘go to person’ when people are struggling. I enjoy helping people and get great satisfaction out of knowing I have contributed to their bigger picture. 

So now I work from my home office in Rutland, supporting busy people with the jobs that stop them from doing what they love most – whether it be spending time with their families or building a more lucrative business.

Setting up your own business is not easy, and fortunately I was not under any illusion that it was going to be anything but.  Over the last couple of months, I have been busy networking, both virtually and attending local meetings, which has been key in building up client trust.  I never use to be one for social media, but now, WOW what a game changer.  You are literally a ‘sitting duck’ if you think you don’t need social media. 

I have never been so busy, and doors are slowly opening with more and more opportunities.  I am the newly appointed Treasurer for my daughter’s school social Forum, organising a Christmas event for one of my networking groups, and finalising the Easter ski trip for some of the families at school. I am also currently purchasing a Caravan in Norfolk!  Not just for us but as a holiday rental too!

I am thoroughly enjoying this new work-life balance and most importantly the relationship with my husband and daughter has never felt so snug.   #feelingfortunate 

So, 2023 is fast approaching, and I’m looking for more clients.   

My packages and just some of the roles I offer are:

Build – £27/Hour

Grow – £26/Hour (5 hours)

Accelerate £25/Hour (10 hours)

• Diary management: scheduling and checking of appointments
• Checking emails
• Set-up management spreadsheets
• Electronic filing systems
• Business reporting / reconciliation
• Project management
• Supplier sourcing & liaison
• Stock management

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation

www.balenst.co.uk

0781 464 5207

va@balenst.co.uk