“I’m helping small business owners in Hackney and beyond recover, rebuild, and thrive” – new Virtual Assistant venture for multilingual mum of twins.

Magda Bilska-Pereda switched careers and started an Alchemy Virtual Assistance (VA) franchise Hub from her home office in Hackney, East London last month, offering flexible, remote admin and PA support to ambitious businesses.

The Polish-born, former Head of Customer Experience moved to the UK over 20 years ago with £100 in her back pocket and a promise to her parents that she would ‘make them proud’.

Magda says she now wants to use her experience, skills and connections having worked her way up through leadership roles at various international charities to help businesses and entrepreneurs flourish.

“I have so much to give with all my transferrable skills and knowledge. I am genuinely excited to have started my own flexible business which is all focused on assisting and supporting others,” said Magda, who actively sought to launch her VA venture under the umbrella of Alchemy’s award-winning brand – just as her twin boys started school.

“I built my successful career from nothing, and I did it through sheer determination – that’s something I think we all need right now.

“I worked in bars and restaurants but very quickly got my first break at an international corporate firm in London, and I have since been lucky to work on some major management projects to streamline and organise processes at a number of global charities. I even volunteered as team leader at the London 2012 Olympics – I never would have thought any of that was possible when I came to the UK many years ago.

“I can use everything I have learned over the years to support entrepreneurs in getting themselves back on track, helping them become more efficient and organised with their own admin so that they can do the work they enjoy. And the best part is that I can do it working flexibly around my young family with the full support of the wider Alchemy group.”

Among her typical Virtual Assistant services, Magda – who is professionally fluent in Polish, English and Spanish, and has a degree in Politics & International Relations and a MA in Human Rights – will be offering translation packages, CRM and project management support, HR administration and recruitment, customer service and event coordination.

Alchemy VA’s founder, Suzy Sanders said: “We are absolutely delighted that Magda has chosen to start her VA venture with Alchemy, and we are over the moon to welcome her into our wider, supportive franchise family.

“She has a wonderful complementary skillset and a truly inspiring background which will only strengthen the VA services we already provide to our valued clients.

“Like all of our Alchemy VA Franchise Hub Managers, Magda aligns to our strong values and ethos as a business, and we can’t wait to help her to make a success of her new enterprise.”