The Homeworker: 'I took a leap of faith, and never looked back'

For me, balance isn’t something you find, it’s something you create – and I have taken steps to achieve it. But it forced me to step out of my comfort zone.

One of the best decisions I have ever made was to recruit administration and PA support. This was not and easy decision for me. I didn’t want to admit I couldn’t cope, and I didn’t think that anyone could do the job well enough.

And then there was the cost. What would happen if my workload declined but I still had an extra pair of hands to pay? What if my business suddenly crashed and didn’t recover? These are just some of the frightening thoughts most entrepreneurs experience.

’Be brave’

It took me six to eight months to realise I had to make a commitment to recruit and, hand on heart, it’s the best business decision I have ever made – I just wish I’d had the confidence to do it sooner.

I am now lucky to have an incredibly supportive admin team. My wonderful PA Anna understands my business and clients exactly as I do. She supports me daily, whether that’s amending bookings, getting clients ready for departure, checking passports, visas, booking restaurants, arranging car hire, or ensuring any special anniversaries, birthdays or celebrations are covered.

Anna also takes care of any destination-specific entry requirements and sending VIP notifications to each and every resort to ensure my clients are incredibly well looked after. She is an extension of me, and my clients have welcomed her with open arms. In fact, my current setup is working so well that I am now looking at extra support on the sales front to help me grow even more.

So believe me when I say: be brave, you won’t regret it. I often found myself turning down social events, fam trips and meeting friends, or basing my own holidays around my VIP customers. Now everything is so much more relaxed.

For any of you incredibly busy homeworkers out there who feel like life is all work and no play, yet still have a passion for travel and growing your business, my advice would be to take a leap of faith, reach out and build an incredible support team around you. You can start small, just a few hours here and there – I promise you won’t look back.

Being successful doesn’t make you manage your time well, but managing your time well will certainly help make you successful!

Angela Mayall is a Designer Travel homeworker based in Saddleworth in the north-west, and was named Designer Travel’s Associate of the Year last year.