Sterling Virtual Assistant Services - Clair Abrey

06/09/2026

Well I never...

Sterling is five years old! 🎉

When I launched my business, I had absolutely no idea just how many wonderful people it would bring into my life.

It might be my biz birthday, but this post isn’t really about me.

It’s about you lot.

At least once a week I think about jacking it all in and getting a 'normal' job 😂 but one of the biggest things that always pulls me back in, and what I love about running my own business has been the people I’ve met along the way.

Clients who have trusted me with their businesses. People I’ve met through networking. Fellow Norfolk business owners who’ve become familiar faces. People I’ve collaborated with, learnt from, laughed with and cheered on. And those of you who regularly like, comment or quietly follow along from the sidelines.

You’ve all been part of the Sterling journey in one way or another, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

So, seeing as we’re celebrating, I’d love to know...

How did you and I first cross paths?

Was it through work? Networking? Buy Local Norfolk? LinkedIn? Or have we known each other so long that neither of us can actually remember?

Pop it in the comments. I’d genuinely love to see how many different connections have been made along the way.

And thank you for being one of them ❤️💙

Here's two of my favourite pictures from our holiday last month. A holiday with friends hits differently... crazy and chaotic but filled with so much laughter and a heck of a lot of fun 💖

02/09/2026

24/08/2026

August has arrived, bringing sunshine, school holidays and approximately 47 requests for snacks before lunchtime. ☀️🍦

Whether you’re jetting off somewhere lovely, attempting a staycation or simply trying to enjoy a longer evening without checking your phone every twelve minutes, your business still needs a little attention.

That does not mean you have to spend your summer glued to your laptop.

I can keep the admin ticking over, support your clients and make sure important tasks do not quietly disappear while you are busy choosing between a mojito and a mint choc chip.

More summer. Less stress. Far fewer “I’ll just quickly log on” moments.

Need a little extra support this August? Email [email protected].

Clair against a blue background with pink text reading “How we can work together in August”, alongside the Sterling Virtual Assistant Services logo

17/08/2026

Some days need a spreadsheet. Other days need a meme and someone saying, “Leave it with me.” 😄

I take the work very seriously. Deadlines matter, systems need to work and nobody enjoys discovering an important task has been quietly hiding since Tuesday.

But business does not have to feel like one long compliance webinar.
There can be laughter, personality and the occasional ridiculous voice note alongside reliable support and properly organised processes.
In fact, I think work is usually better when the people involved can be human.

So yes, I will keep things moving, spot what needs attention and help make your workload feel less dreadful.

I may also send a perfectly timed meme. Balance.
Need a reliable human in your corner?

Email [email protected].

Clair in glasses, playfully sticking out her tongue, beside text about reliable support, organised systems, human connection and making work more fun.

10/08/2026

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and reheating the same coffee three times does not count as self-care ☕😅

Skipping breaks, working weekends and replying to DMs at 10pm might keep things moving, but eventually you are the one running on fumes.
Hiring a VA is not just about handing over tasks. It brings breathing space, firmer boundaries and the reassurance that your business is still being looked after when you log off.

You gain another capable person in your corner, keeping things moving without everything depending on you.

Boundaries are not selfish. They are what make your business, and your energy, sustainable.

Ready to stop serving everyone else from an empty cup?
Email [email protected].

navy, pink, turquoise and white graphic says “You can’t pour from an empty cup” and lists skipped breaks, weekend work, late-night DMs and always putting others first beside a mug.

07/08/2026

I wear so many hats when I chair a Buy Local Norfolk networking meeting... I never remember the pics!

But I managed to capture a couple from last night's networking at Jarrolds Letheringsett.

What an evening! 💚

A huge thank you to Caroline from Jarrolds for collaborating with us and to the team for their amazing hosting skills.

We were so lucky to have Sonia and Max from CHILLIS GALORE | Norfolk’s Original Chilli Jam, Gary and Nichola from Hunter’s Chocolates and Sarah from Black Shuck Distillery join us for talks and the most delicious tasters! Thanks so much for being there guys!

As one of our lovely attendees noticed... everything just flowed last night. In the most gorgeous setting, people listened, learnt, chatted, laughed, engaged, exchanged info and connected. It was a joy to see.

And last but not least, thanks to everyone who came along. Supporting local isn't just a slogan... it's how stronger businesses are built 🥰

04/08/2026

Stop doing all the things. Seriously, put one of them down. 😅

Busy can look impressive, but it does not always mean productive. When your day is swallowed by low-value tasks, the work that creates the biggest impact, grows the business and uses your actual creativity gets pushed to the bottom.

A VA does more than complete a to-do list. We bring breathing space, reassurance and another capable brain in your corner. We help you focus on the high-value work, while making sure the rest is handled properly, without you mentally carrying it through dinner.

Less busy. More impact. Much less muttering at your laptop.

Ready to stop doing everything and start focusing on what matters?
Email [email protected].

Clair smiling beside “Stop doing all the things”, with a checklist highlighting big impact, high value and creativity in pink, turquoise, black and white.

27/07/2026

Confession, I actually quite like the jobs you cannot stand.

Social media captions. Client emails. Newsletters. Scheduling. Keeping an eye on things while you are off having a life.
I know. Suspicious behaviour.

While you are staring at a blank post thinking, ‘Absolutely not’, I am already halfway through writing it and probably enjoying myself far too much.

While you are trying to answer a client message between meetings, lunch and remembering why you walked into the kitchen, I can deal with it properly.

And when you take a break, your business does not need to go into witness protection.

It can still tick along. Quietly. Calmly. Without you checking your inbox from the beach like a nervous meerkat.
There are loads of jobs in your business that need doing.

You just do not need to be the one doing all of them.

So, what is the first task you would gleefully hand over?

: Static photo of Clair smiling at the camera in a teal room. Bright text lists five tasks that can be outsourced to a VA, including social media, client queries, email marketing, marketing support and keeping the business running during time off.

20/07/2026

There are three very good reasons to hire a VA, and none of them involve pretending you have suddenly become ‘more productive’.

Sometimes, you are not disorganised.
You are simply trying to do the work of several people while running the actual business at the same time.
The emails need answering. The diary needs managing. The invoices need checking. The follow-ups need sending. And somehow, all of it is supposed to fit neatly around the work your clients are actually paying you for.

That is where a VA comes in.

To take the nagging jobs off your plate.

To keep the moving parts organised.

And to give you back some proper time, not just seven spare minutes between calls where you frantically inhale a biscuit and reply to three emails.

Support does not need to be complicated or full of jargon.

It just needs to make your business easier to run.

Which would help you most right now, less worry, better organisation, or more time?

: Static square graphic in navy, pink and white. The heading reads, “3 ways a VA supports your business”. Three benefits are listed in a navy box: taking the headache and worry off your plate, keeping your business organised, and freeing up your time. A keyboard, coffee cup, notebook and small plant appear around the design.

16/07/2026

This is going to be a gorgeous evening of business networking in beautiful surroundings. We love you to come and join us!

AUGUST NETWORKING LIVE on Thursday 6th August from 6–8pm at Jarrolds Letheringsett. Make sure to book on this one because this event will be one to not miss out on!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bln-august-2026-networking-jarrolds-letheringsett-tickets-1989991873262

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