PA for an entrepreneur – What do they want and expect
Being a PA for an entrepreneur is very different to being a PA in the Corporate world. What do top business owners really want from their Personal Assistants?
When you’ve spent years working as a PA, secretary, or administrator, you start to notice that no two roles are ever the same. But once you step into the world of supporting high-level entrepreneurs, everything changes. The expectations go up, the pace quickens, and the pressure to perform quietly in the background becomes a daily reality. And yet, for the right person, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
Let’s talk honestly about what business owners at the top really expect from their Personal Assistants.
Behind the Glamour: The Real Life of a PA to an Entrepreneur
If you think being a PA to a millionaire is all jet-setting and VIP events, you’re not wrong—but that’s only half the story. The reality is far more grounded. One minute you’re arranging a cross-continent investor call, and the next, you’re sorting out why the office fridge has broken down just before a lunch meeting.
You’re not just running errands or following instructions. You’re thinking ahead, connecting the dots, and anticipating needs before they even land on your to-do list. You see, in the entrepreneurial world, the lines between the big picture and the tiny details blur. Everything matters.
A successful entrepreneur expects their PA to treat the business like it’s their own. When a client comes in and the welcome feels seamless, or when a tight deadline is met without drama, that’s a reflection of your quiet, diligent work behind the scenes. It’s not just about doing a job; it’s about creating an impression that mirrors the values and standards of the person you support.
Business and Personal Lives: There’s No Off Switch
Working with entrepreneurs means understanding that their business is their life. There’s rarely a clear boundary between work and personal time, and a top-tier PA understands how to support both.
You might find yourself organising a family holiday that includes three investor meetings, or booking a dinner that doubles as a celebration and a business pitch. One doesn’t end where the other begins. That’s just the nature of the job.
Imagine this: a last-minute business call comes through on a Sunday evening, just as your boss is about to head out to a family event. Without missing a beat, you rearrange the timing, send the agenda to their tablet, and make sure someone else has the car keys ready so they can jump on the follow-up call straight after. That’s not just admin. That’s strategy, empathy, and initiative rolled into one.
Trust: The Backbone of Every Successful Relationship
If there’s one thing every successful business owner values above all else, it’s trust. And when they find someone who can be completely trusted, they hold on tight.
A PA in this space will be privy to sensitive information, both professional and personal. You’ll know things that could impact reputations, finances, and relationships. Your boss expects you to keep everything confidential, without reminders
But trust doesn’t stop at discretion. It also means your boss trusts you to do what you say you’ll do. That when they ask for something, it will be handled on time, professionally, and without the need for chasing.
Over time, you become more than a PA. You become the person they rely on, their sounding board, and sometimes the only person in the room who’s willing to tell the truth when no one else will. That kind of trust is earned and priceless.
What Skills Really Matter for a PA for an entrepreneur
Of course, technical skills are a must. You need to know how to manage calendars, organise travel, and handle email with military precision. But what is the real value you bring? That comes from your mindset.
You need to think like a business owner. If your boss mentions a new market, you’re already researching competitors and pulling together a plan. If a diary conflict pops up, you’re not just flagging it; you’re proposing three solutions.
Emotional intelligence is just as vital. You’re the one fielding calls from high-profile partners, worried investors, and the headteacher calling about a missed parents’ evening. Being able to switch tone and adapt your approach is what sets you apart.
And above all, being a PA for an entrepreneur requires resilience. Entrepreneurs live in a world of constant change, plans shift, opportunities appear out of nowhere, and some days feel like you’re juggling flaming swords. Your job is to keep the show running without letting anything hit the ground.
It’s a Career Accelerator
Supporting a top business owner can fast-track your career in ways no other job can. You’re in the room where decisions are made. You see how businesses grow. You learn to think strategically, communicate with impact, and build a network that others would envy.
Many PAs go on to start their own businesses or step into leadership roles because they’ve had a front-row seat to how success is built from the ground up. The expectations are high, yes. But so are the rewards.
The Role Is a Partnership
Ultimately, a high-level PA isn’t just an assistant. You’re a partner. You’re someone your boss depends on to make life smoother, smarter, and more productive.
You’re not just booking meetings. You’re protecting their time.
You’re not just proofreading documents. You’re safeguarding their reputation.
You’re not just making plans. You’re making life easier.
And when they succeed, you know you’ve played a part in that. That’s the real reward.
If you’re serious about stepping into this level of work, then proper training is essential. Supporting a high-net-worth entrepreneur is a specialised role, and our courses at myPA Business are designed to help you build the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to thrive truly.
So whether you’re already in the role or aspiring to reach this level, know this: the expectations may be high, but the opportunity is even greater. And with the proper support, you’ll be ready for every challenge that comes your way.
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Even the most experienced PA or secretary can have a bad day. You sent the wrong email. The meeting link doesn’t work. Your boss’s presentation pointer dies even though you checked it before they left the office, and packed spare batteries, and somehow, it’s still your fault. Then that quiet voice that lives at the back of your head rears its ugly head, and starts to speak, “You’re rubbish at this job”, “That was such a stupid mistake to make”. Silently, you chastise yourself. These moments don’t define you. But they can rattle your confidence, and over time, those knocks can leave you doubting yourself.
The truth is that administrative professionals, like you, are the backbone of the workplace. You juggle logistics, conflicting personalities, last-minute changes, and a sea of expectations. When it all goes smoothly, nobody notices. But when something goes wrong, the spotlight lands firmly on you.
Let me say this clearly: confidence at work isn’t about being perfect. It’s about recognising your value, learning from the rough days, and remembering that one mistake doesn’t undo a career’s worth of good work.
Let me tell you a story. It’s a true story of a young lady who attended one of my training courses. Her boss had decided she was useless at her job and needed training to become a better PA. She broke my heart because, despite being fantastic at her job with checks and counterchecks in place, she doubted her skills. (Names have been changed for confidentiality.
When a Bad Boss Knocks Your Confidence at Work
Laura had worked as a senior PA for over ten years when she joined our PA and Secretary training course. Her boss, a senior executive with a temper, relied on her to manage high-level board meetings, prepare presentations, and handle the tech, despite having minimal IT skills himself. He would panic when he couldn’t find his mouse on the screen.
For one major presentation, she had prepared everything in the minutest details. She even checked the clicker in advance and popped in a fresh set of batteries for good measure. She packed a second set of batteries and put them in his Information pack along with his itinerary. The itinerary included details such as the pickup time from his house to the train station, the platform he needed to catch a train to London. He had step-by-step instructions on what he needed to do when he arrived in London. She even had the name of the driver who would collect him at Euston Train Station when he arrived. She had prepared everything.
Then it went wrong
Midway through the presentation, the clicker failed. He was furious. When he got back to the office and in front of everyone, he snapped, “Can you try doing your job properly for once?” Laura was devastated. She had done everything right. She was humiliated, then yelled at again in private. That night, she went home feeling like a failure. This left her feeling devastated and convinced that she couldn’t do her job correctly.
As with everything, there is often a knock-on effect of incidents like this. She had lost her confidence at work and started to make more mistakes. In the end, her boss insisted that she attend a training course to pick up the skills she needed to be a ‘decent PA’. This is where I met Laura. Laura came onto my course not because she lacked skills but because that one moment, that one man, had made her doubt herself. She didn’t need fixing; she needed reminding that she was brilliant.
Weeks later, I was told that she had found the courage to report the incident. HR investigated, and her boss received a written warning. He later left the department.
How Do You Rebuild Confidence at Work?
If you’ve had your own “Laura moment,” please know you are not alone. Confidence isn’t a constant. It rises and falls, especially when your work is so visible and often, so undervalued. Here are ten gentle but powerful ways to rebuild your confidence, based on real experiences and practical strategies.
1. Keep a Success Journal
Each day, write down a minimum of three things you did well that day. They don’t have to be monumental achievements. Maybe you juggled a busy diary successfully. Maybe you calmed a colleague under pressure. Perhaps you just kept it all together.
When doubt creeps in, and it will, your journal becomes a quiet but powerful reminder of how capable you really are. Never underestimate the power of a gentle reminder of how brilliant you are.
2. Own It… Then Let It Go
Mistakes happen. Own them. Apologise if needed. Then move on. There is no rule that says one slip-up wipes out ten years of good work. You are allowed to make mistakes; everyone does. You and your career are not a mistake.
3. Flip That Inner Critic
You wouldn’t tell a colleague or your best friend, “You’re rubbish” because a Zoom link failed, so why say it to yourself? You are just as crucial as your colleague or best friend. Instead, say, “I’m learning. I’m resilient. I handled that as best I could.”
Confidence is built one kind word at a time, especially when it’s from you to you. Whether you say it silently to yourself, out loud or have it written on a post-it note attached to your computer screen. Be kind to yourself and set expectations for yourself.
4. Don’t Swallow Toxic Feedback
Constructive feedback is valuable. Toxic comments are not. If your boss humiliates you, that’s not criticism, it’s bullying. Like Laura, you have options. Talk to HR. Speak to someone you trust. You deserve respect at work. Set your boundaries and don’t let anyone step over them. You are a valuable member of the workforce, and your job is just as important as your boss’s. Remember, without you, they couldn’t do half the work they do.
5. Surround Yourself with Support
Confidence thrives in a community. Join professional networks. Seek out positive colleagues. Join our myPA Business membership, where support, stories, and solidarity flow freely.
You are not alone. You never were.
6. Learn Something New
Sometimes, a drop in confidence is your brain’s way of nudging you to grow. Take a short course. Explore new software. Refresh your knowledge. Try our Confidence & Awareness course; it was built for people just like you. A small win can reignite your belief in what you bring to the table. You are more powerful than you realise.
7. Practice Saying No
It’s tempting to take on everything. But confidence grows when you set clear boundaries. Know what your boundaries are and be clear about them. You don’t want your boss to call you when you are on holiday or on a Sunday. If you are asked to do a task that will take hours to complete and you’re already stacked, try saying, “I’m fully booked this morning. Can we review this this afternoon?”
Be Polite, professional, empowering and use your big girl voice. Practice saying NO, practice saying I will but…
8. Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t stop the internet from crashing or your boss being in a mood. But you can manage how you respond. Your boss doesn’t live in your head; they don’t pay rent, so don’t let them in. Their bad mood, their mistakes are not yours.
Breathe. Stay calm. You’ve handled worse.
9. Ask for Real Feedback
Don’t wait for your annual appraisal. Ask someone you trust: “What do you think I did well in that meeting? Is there anything I could improve?” The right feedback builds confidence and is a fantastic learning tool. Feedback is not to be feared. It’s the starting point of you becoming better than you are right now.
10. Be Kind to Yourself
If your best friend came to you in tears over a mistake, you wouldn’t tear them down. You’d listen and remind them of their worth, of how good they are. You deserve the same compassion from yourself. Speak kindly. Treat yourself gently. Celebrate your wins, even if it is getting through a tough day. You deserve it.
Final Thoughts: Confidence at Work isn’t a trait, it’s a Practice
The world of administration isn’t easy. You’re often expected to be invisible until something goes wrong. But here’s the truth: your role matters. You matter. Confidence at work isn’t something you’re either born with or without. It’s something you build, one moment at a time.
If you’ve had a knock, take the next step. Explore our Confidence & Awareness Course. It’s here for you, just like we are.
More importantly, remember that you are not broken, you are not failing, and you are brilliant. You are just getting started.
Why Focusing Beats Multitasking Every Time: Productivity Tips for Busy Admin Professionals
Do you ever feel like you’re spinning too many plates? Your inbox is overflowing, your boss keeps changing priorities, you’re halfway through writing minutes when a calendar clash explodes… and oh, your Teams chat is on fire.
Welcome to the world of the modern-day PA.
It’s no wonder so many admin professionals feel overwhelmed. The secret? Stop juggling. Start focusing.
It’s simple. But it’s not always easy.
At myPAbusiness.com, we believe productivity doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing the right things at the right time, without losing your marbles. Let’s explore why single-tasking is more potent than multitasking and how you can actually make it work, even on your busiest days.
Why Multitasking is a Trap
You’ve probably been praised for multitasking at some point in your career. Maybe you pride yourself on it. After all, who else can rearrange a meeting, write an email, order a working lunch, and prepare a PowerPoint all in the same 20 minutes?
But here’s the catch: our brains aren’t wired for multitasking. What we’re doing is task-switching, jumping from one activity to another. And every time we switch, we lose time and focus. Research consistently shows that task-switching can reduce productivity by up to 40%. It increases errors, heightens stress, and leaves you mentally drained.
So, if you feel like you’ve been busy all day but achieved very little, the problem might not be your workload—it might be your working style. Multitasking gives the illusion of progress but often results in a scattering of half-finished jobs, forgotten details, and avoidable mistakes. It’s exhausting, and in truth, it’s unsustainable.
The Power of Single-Tasking
Imagine this instead: sitting down, choosing one task, and staying with it until it’s done. Sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? That’s the power of single-tasking. It’s not about working slower; it’s about working smarter.
Focusing on one task at a time allows you to dive deeper, think more clearly, and produce higher-quality work. You’re less likely to miss details, more likely to complete things efficiently, and surprisingly, you may even finish earlier for admin professionals, where accuracy and professionalism matter. This can make a significant difference to your confidence and your reputation.
And let’s not forget the psychological win, ticking something off your to-do list is incredibly satisfying. A day structured around focused tasks rather than chaotic multitasking feels calmer, more in control, and ultimately more productive.
How to Stay Focused in a Busy Environment
Of course, all this is easier said than done. Interruptions, urgent emails, and impromptu meetings, your day as a PA or admin professional rarely goes to plan. But with a few innovative techniques, you can build better habits that support focused working.
Start by being specific. A vague task like “Catch up on admin” invites distraction. Instead, try listing functions that start with a clear action word: Send, Update, Prepare, Finalise. For example, “Prepare agenda for Friday’s team meeting” is much easier to focus on than “Meeting stuff.” Specificity helps your brain to lock in and see a clear endpoint.
Once you have your task list, take a moment to prioritise. A straightforward method is to apply the 3Ds: Do it now, Defer it, or Delegate it. Ask yourself: which tasks can I do in under five minutes? Which ones need dedicated time? And which ones could be passed to someone else? This quick triage gives structure to your day and ensures your energy goes into the right tasks at the right time.
Another powerful strategy is time-blocking.
Your calendar shouldn’t just be a list of meetings; it can be a tool for productivity. Try scheduling short bursts of focused time for specific tasks. For example, block 30 minutes in the morning to clear emails, then 45 minutes to write up meeting notes. Protect these blocks as if they were client meetings, and you’ll notice fewer interruptions and more clarity.
And yes, it’s time to talk about notifications. We all know the pain of trying to concentrate while email alerts pop up, Teams pings in the corner, and your phone vibrates with social updates. Turn them off. Or at least mute them during your most focused work. Better yet, put your phone out of reach. The fewer distractions you have, the easier it is to build flow.
If you find it challenging to stay focused for long periods, the Pomodoro Technique might help. This simple method involves working for 25 minutes, taking a 5-minute break, and repeating. After four cycles, take a more extended break. It’s ideal for breaking big tasks into manageable pieces and prevents burnout by encouraging regular pauses. There are plenty of free apps that can guide you. Focus Keeper and TomatoTimer are popular options.
While working more intentionally, you might also find that random thoughts or distractions pop into your head, “I must call IT,” or “I’ve got to update that spreadsheet.” Instead of dropping everything to act on it, write it down. Keep a notepad beside you or use a digital notes app to create a “Distraction Parking Lot.” This way, you capture the thought without losing focus on your current task.
And finally, end your day with intention. Take ten minutes to review what you’ve achieved, tidy your desk, and write tomorrow’s to-do list. This small daily habit creates closure, reduces the mental clutter we carry home, and gives you a head start the next morning.
Final Thought: You Deserve to Work Calmly and Confidently
You are a professional. You thrive on details, support others with poise, and keep things running smoothly even when chaos reigns. So why not give yourself the same level of support?
Choosing to single-task isn’t about being slow or inflexible. It’s about owning your time and energy and about taking back control from a workday that pulls you in a hundred directions. It’s about protecting the quality of your work and your well-being.
And the best part? It’s something you can start today. Pick one task. Focus. Finish. Then move on.
Because at myPAbusiness.com, we believe that when admin professionals feel focused and empowered, the whole business benefits. If you’re ready to take your skills and your confidence to the next level, explore our training courses designed specifically for PAs, secretaries, and administrative professionals. Visit www.mypabusiness.com to find out more
Credit control gives the impression that it is a dark art surrounded by mystery. People think it’s a hard task to undertake; they feel that the person on the other end of the telephone is going to be rude to them or they could ask questions that they simply don’t have the answers. However; the biggest fear appears to be the fact that; we can become very uncomfortable asking people for money. If a business has provided a product or service they are entitled to receive full recompense for that product or service.
Credit Control doesn’t have to become a difficult endeavour, once you have momentum, you will become exceptional at credit control. Below are some suggestions on how to tackle credit control.
Credit Control Tips
Make sure you are clear of all distractions as you are going to have to concentrate on one task at a time. That task has to be credit control.
Have a copy of the document/invoice(s) in front of you for reference.
Ensure you are familiar with the lay of the invoice as you will have questions. These questions will range from the invoice number, the quantity of goods purchased, the unit price of the goods, total price of the goods. There could be other questions that can easily be answered with a copy of the invoice in front of you.
In a calm manner, pick up the telephone and ask to speak to the accounts payable or ask to be put through to the person who deals with accounts queries.
Firstly introduce yourself and ask for the name of the person you are talking to. Explain in a friendly voice that you are calling on behalf of your employer (or yourself). You need to engage them in friendly conversation and explain that you are chasing payment for an outstanding invoice(s). There is no need to be aggressive or abrupt and will appreciate your calm approach. They may ask you a few questions about the invoice. Above all be helpful and reply to all the questions asked. The object of the call is to make sure they become receptive to your request for payment of your invoice.
Stay your ground
Ask when can you expect remit of the invoice. They may ask you to resend the invoice. If they do, send a copy via email and put a copy in the post. Then ask them again when can you expect to receive full payment of the invoice. Ascertain any problems with the invoice. What is preventing them paying the invoice as payment is overdue in accordance with your terms and conditions.
A cheque may need to be authorised by am a manager, or the invoice needs to be approved. In that instance, ask them when you can expect this to happen.
Thank them for their time.
Write on the invoice, on your accounts package or on an excel spreadsheet the outcome of your conversation. Write clearly the date that they said you can expect payment. In addition if you have sent a copy invoice, write the day you emailed the copy invoice and sent one in the post.
Enter a note in your diary to make an additional call to the person to make sure they have received a copy of the invoice. If the payment was expected on a particular date and has not been received, call again on that date. Tell the person that the payment has not been received and find out if there are any issues.
How to do credit control successfully
What if your client won’t pay you if you are a Virtual Assistant?
There could be occasions when your client, simply isn’t going to pay your invoice. On occasions like this, you are going to have to make the decision if you are going to embark on legal action. Legal Action could involve a solicitor or small claims court. In some circumstances, it may advantageous to write the debt off. In conclusion, the amount of the outstanding invoice may dictate the severity of your action.
Welcome
Welcome to our online magazine from Julie and the team. If you have been on one of Julie’s training courses, you know she is passionate about PA, EAs and Secretaries being the best they can be. She also has very strong opinions about what a PA, EA and Secretary should and shouldn’t do. If you have a question, or would like to add an article, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
