Curlew Secretarial Solutions

07/10/2025

Are you ready to grow your business?

If everything you do is stored in your head, it can be hard to bring new people on board. You will be the one training them, showing them how things are done, and answering questions every step of the way.

And when they move on or you are ready to take on more team members, you will need to do it all over again.

That’s where SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) make a real difference. SOPs are simple written instructions that show exactly how things work in your business.

As a VA, I often help clients create SOPs before they grow their teams. But if you are doing it by yourself, I’ve designed a step-by-step course that walks you through how to build your own library of SOPs that will enable you to expand your business productively and sustainably grow.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:
- Identify and map your key business processes.
- Use templates and tools to make documenting tasks simple.
- Create clear, easy-to-follow instructions anyone can use.
- Write SOPs for admin, marketing, onboarding, and more.
- Delegate with confidence.
- Keep your SOPs fresh and up to date as your business grows
- Save time and delegate with confidence

It’s practical, easy to follow, and packed with real examples you can adapt straight away.

Because it’s brand new, I’m offering £20 off until the end of November, just use this coupon code: 20OFF4U

If you want to grow your business in a productive and sustainable way, this course gives you everything you need to build a strong foundation and a confident team.

https://curlewsecretarial.teachable.com/l/pdp/systems-for-success-how-to-create-sops-that-grow-your-business

30/09/2025

Yesterday evening I attended Inspire West Cumbria, a networking group that I've been meaning to go to for years, and I finally got around to joining.

I gave a talk together with my lovely client Anne Sowerby of Sassy Property Styling Ltd about our journey together developing her online course and membership. It was a chance for people to hear about how to create an online course with the support of a VA.

It was such a good evening with stands from lots of different members, some great raffle prizes and I was welcomed into the group so warmly.

If you are looking for a welcoming and thriving networking group in North Cumbria, give Inspire a try. I'm looking forward to the next one now.

https://www.inspirewestcumbria.org.uk/

26/09/2025

Fancy brushing up on your public speaking? Theresa Ribeiro is running a Public Speaking Workshop for Women in Carlisle.

Theresa has given me many great top tips for my public speaking over the years, so I know this will be one not to miss!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/find-your-voice-tickets-1738589119859?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawNDWNNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrB1awelMikCkK1K-sAz1VCK8-0JFb_gO_biB06LZ_7As-VfGYvaATGpOSvo_aem_FzcAZzN0sZX5AH0YdqFfgg

Empowering women in business to speak boldly, present confidently, and inspire impact at our interactive workshop, Find Your Voice!

03/09/2025

This is why a client recently requested our hand-typed audio typing services. Due to strong accents and the confidential nature of their discussions, AI transcription software was not an option. The text below was sent to us as an example of how AI cannot cope with the accent (😂).

Now, don't get me wrong, AI is great and when AI works for transcribing it's wonderful and easy.

But believe it or not, there is still a place for traditional audio typing. Clients use us because AI isn't always data protection or GDPR compliant and they have highly confidential information, or just because AI can't always handle accents and certain jargon.

I believe AI will continue to improve, but in the meantime, if you need a human to type up your audio, give us a shout!

This is also a heads up to check that when you outsource your audio for transcription, you should check whether or not they hand type it or run it through AI transcription software.

20/05/2025

I had such a lovely time chatting with Shelley Fishel on the Virtually Amazing Assistants - the Podcast for Assistants Everywhere Do have a listen 🙂

🚨 New Episode Out Today! 🚨

Exploring the VA Journey: An Interview with Gwen Backhouse 🎙️

In the latest episode of Virtually Amazing Assistants, I sit down with the wonderful Gwen Backhouse, award-winning VA and founder of Curlew Secretarial Solutions.

👩‍⚕️ From nursing to launching her VA business
🌱 Growing a thriving practice
🤝 The power of networking
💬 Speaking engagements and leadership
🎄 Plus – her unique and thoughtful Christmas card service!

It’s packed with insights, laughs, and inspiration for VAs at every stage of their journey 💻💡

🎧 Tune in now – available wherever you get your podcasts! https://virtuallyamazingassistants.com/episode-23-virtually-amazing-with-gwen-backhouse/

✨🎙️💻

21/04/2025

Happy World Curlew Day!

On this day, we celebrate the beautiful Eurasian Curlew and its wonderful cousins around the world.

Happy World Curlew Day!

On this day - the best day of the year - we celebrate the beautiful Eurasian Curlew and its wonderful cousins around the world.

As Mary Colwell says: Love them, celebrate them, protect them 💚

14/04/2025

Wow, this post from 11 years ago is very relevant today!

A new day and a new week; means a new opportunity to make something special happen. Have a great week everyone.

02/03/2025

I cannot get over how quickly time has passed, but it is now a whole seven years ago that I was awarded Outstanding VA UK 2018 in the UK VA Awards at PA Show

My whole journey to this award was a whirlwind, and when I won, I was thinking 'Where do I go from here?' But the journey since then has been amazing, with opportunities I never would have dreamed of being presented with coming my way! Wonderful, supportive people guiding me along and where some doors closed, others swung open.

I look forward to seeing what this next chapter holds, maybe I should write a book one day!!!

05/12/2024

This is why I love being a virtual assistant.....

Over the last month, I've been working with Anne Sowerby (Sassy Property Styling Ltd) to support her to launch her new app, membership and courses, and we've had so much fun doing it.

Anne's 'Getting your home Christmas ready' course has been a great success, and it's been really lovely working with her and the course attendees to see it all come to life.

Here's a pic of us having a fun time planning for her 2025 courses and membership platform! There are lots of exciting things to come, and I look forward to working with you in 2025, Anne. 😀

22/10/2024

Oh my goodness, .co.photograph you have done it again!!!! I rarely like professional photos of myself, but Katie gets it right each and every time!

I absolutely love these photos she took for me at this year's UK VA Conference, so sorry folks, you are going to be looking at these all over the place for the next year!

Thank you, Katie

17/07/2024

When the dog gets spooked by the wind and must hide under the desk, your PC decides now is a great time to do the Windows 11 update and a client needs something urgently! 😆

No problem!!!

One thing we do well at Curlew Secretarial Solutions is staying calm when everything happens at once and finding a workable solution!

Thankfully my lovely team member Siân was there to catch the moment!

17/06/2024

I've spent a lovely morning judging the East Midlands PA Awards 2024 with Amanda Johnson and Cath Harrison

We saw some truly inspirational VAs today, it's not going to be an easy decision!!!

Thank you Daniel Skermer and the The PA Forum for inviting me to be on the team this year. It's a real joy to see what people can achieve when they have the passion and determination to grow and succeed.

Good luck to all the finalists 🤞