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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Have you heard of the term CPD? Do you know what it means, and, more importantly, do you know what it involves?
CPD stands for Continued Personal/Professional Development. In short, it means that you continue to study after you finish school, college or graduate from university. There are a number of professions that, once you achieve a pass mark in the basic qualifications, will be the start of a lifetime of study, for example, a solicitor, a doctor or a planner. What about your profession? Do you need to embark on CPD?
If your profession does not demand Continued Professional Development, have you made the decision to discontinue studying? To have a successful career, we advocate a continued approach to education/studies. Continued Professional Development is there to help you excel in your chosen field. CPD will also keep you abreast of the latest trends, legal changes and current business relationships, which ultimately could give you an advantage over your colleagues.
Education never stops
Making a personal decision to continue your education/studies and improve your knowledge in your chosen field may become a prerequisite for your employment. An example of this is the IT Industry. Information Technology is changing all the time and good developers, support staff and programmers need to keep abreast of current technology, languages and innovations. If you decided to terminate your studies, this could have a detrimental effect on your career.
Once you have made the decision to continue with your education, what should you do? There are a number of organisations that can facilitate your education. The only decision you need to make will be, which route suits your personal circumstances:
Online training courses
Studies in a classroom setting – often given by trade bodies
Correspondence courses
Seminars and Open days
Trade Federations
Professional Magazines in a chosen field
What is CPD for your occupation?
You could be in an occupation where CPD is not required. Nevertheless, this does not mean that further study is not for you. It could be advantageous for you to engage in a study course with a local college or night class in one of the hobbies you enjoy for example, cooking or sewing. Furthermore, you could learn a new skill, for example, car maintenance.
Further, more studying has a number of wonderful side effects. You could meet new people, gain skills and, more importantly, keep your brain active. Indeed, the Alzheimer’s community have suggested that keeping your brain active could help prevent many mind degenerative disease.
All studying requires is your dedication to the course, you will be receptive to new concepts, your time and the drive to become successful.
Small Claims for Personal Assistants: What Every PA Should Know
As a PA or EA, you’re often the one expected to deal with the messy jobs no one else wants. Chasing late payments is one of them. A director might casually tell you, “Can you sort this out? They owe us £2,000.” Suddenly, you’re the one left untangling contracts, sending reminders, and figuring out whether the company should take legal action.
This is where understanding the small claims process becomes another tool in your professional toolkit. You may never need to issue a claim yourself, but knowing how it works shows you can protect your organisation’s interests and your boss’s time.
Why PAs and EAs Need This Knowledge
Part of supporting senior executives is being resourceful. It’s not just about diary management and travel booking—it’s about being the person who can say, “Yes, I know how that works, leave it with me.”
Small claims knowledge is particularly valuable when you’re:
Following up on unpaid invoices for your executive’s consultancy or side business
Supporting the finance team with administration
Helping to recover deposits, payments, or contracts gone wrong
Demonstrating that you understand the commercial risks your company faces
It’s one more way you can show initiative, problem-solving ability, and commercial awareness—all skills that make a PA indispensable.
Costs to Be Aware Of
Here’s the updated fee structure (July 2025) that you need to know if you ever have to brief your boss or prepare paperwork:
Issue fees for starting a claim:
Up to £300: £35
£300.01 to £500: £50
£500.01 to £1,000: £70
£1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
£1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
£3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
£5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
£10,000.01 to £200,000: 5% of the claim
Over £200,000: £10,000
Hearing fees if it goes to court:
Up to £300: £27
£300.01 to £500: £59
£500.01 to £1,000: £85
£1,000.01 to £1,500: £123
£1,500.01 to £3,000: £181
Over £3,000: £346
As a PA, being able to explain these numbers quickly and clearly to your boss is precisely the kind of detail that sets you apart.
Interest and Compensation
Another question your executive may ask is: “Can we add interest?”
The answer is yes. If there isn’t already a contract clause, statutory interest applies at 8% plus the Bank of England base rate. For business debts, you can also add compensation:
Under £1,000: £40
£1,000–£10,000: £70
Over £10,000: £100
Knowing these details means you’re not just passing the problem along—you’re providing solutions.
The Small Claims Process in Eight Steps (For PAs Who Need the Summary)
Send a final reminder, usually referred to as a Letter Before Action.
Collect the evidence – contracts, invoices, emails.
Choose how to claim – online through Money Claim Online or by using the N1 form.
Pay the court fee.
Wait 14 days for a response.
If no response, apply for judgment.
If defended, prepare for a hearing.
If they still don’t pay, enforce it through bailiffs or other methods.
This step-by-step guide is precisely the sort of “ready to brief” content that makes you invaluable when your boss asks, “Where do we stand with that unpaid invoice?”
Risks and Reality
It’s worth reminding your executive that winning a claim doesn’t always mean getting paid—if the debtor has no assets, enforcement can be difficult. But even starting the process can be enough to push people into settling. As a PA, part of your role is to flag these risks so decisions are informed, not just reactive.
How to take Court Action
The government has made an effort to simplify the process as much as possible. The easiest way to claim it is by completing the form online.
https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-online
Why This Matters for Your PA Career
Understanding processes like small claims gives you a reputation for being commercially aware. Senior executives want PAs who don’t just manage logistics but also understand the business landscape.
When you can say, “I know the costs, the timelines, and the options,” you prove that you’re not just an organiser—you’re a business partner. That’s precisely the shift from “assistant” to trusted right hand.
Next Steps for PAs Who Want to Stand Out
This fact sheet gives you the basics, but it’s just one example of the wider skills every PA and EA needs to thrive. From minute taking to negotiation, presentation skills to commercial awareness, the more confident you are, the more valuable you become.
I am a great believer in continued professional development and, as a result, I listen to some podcasts on different business practices. This evening, I was listening to a podcast by an Australian Pro-blogger called Darren Rowse. He made an interesting
New Year’s Resolutions
suggestion about a New Year’s Resolution you could make. Further, how you could make a slight change this year and, turn the idea on its head. This is a fascinating concept for PAs, Secretaries and Executive PA in a business environment as we spend most of our time looking after other people. In his podcast, he suggested that instead of making a New Year’s resolution about you and what you are going to do this year or stop this year; you should turn it around and make the resolution about how you can help other people, yet stay within your chosen resolution. I would also add, to help you advance your chosen career.
Depending on your company internal calendar of events and procedures the appraisal process isn’t that far away. Most appraisals start in March/April in preparation for the new financial year. For a PA,
EA and Secretary this is the time when the task of organising appraisals or preparing for appraisals starts. It is, however, worth noting that the business year begins April (often referred to as the New Financial Year), so the business year has another three months to run, (the last quarter). It is, therefore, time to start thinking about what you want to achieve in the final quarter of the financial year and what you want to achieve in the coming year.
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.
