Melissa Clarke shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Melissa, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The beauty of working as a remote Virtual Design Assistant is that I have the flexibility to get my kids up and ready for school and dropped off!
Normally I am back home around 8.45am – coffee first!
Some days if I have a lighter schedule and the weather is nice, I try to get out for a walk to clear my head – it’s great thinking time if I am experiencing any struggles or plans I need to make.
Then I hit the laptop! First I go through my inbox to get to inbox zero where possible! I use Asana as my task management tool so check in on the day’s to do’s for my business, MC Virtual Assistants. I block Mondays and Fridays as work or personal days to get focsued time blocks of work done or run errands! Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday’s I am often on my first work call of the day around 10am – whether that be a new client discovery call, a weekly meeting with an existing client, or an internal check in.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey to forging a thriving business was far from a walk in the park (I’m sure you can relate!). Picture this: from my roots in the UK, I followed my darling husband’s career moves to China and later the United States. Oh, and just to keep things exciting, I welcomed a daughter and twin boys into the world along the way! Amidst the whirlwind, I craved a slice of normalcy. Combining my Project Management and client service skills, I started working as a VA for a handful of Interior Designers and my passion for supporting these small businesses grew. I had a desire to help other Interior Designers discover the benefits of virtual support and for something I could truly call my own, thus my business, MC Virtual Assistants was born.
Through it all, my unwavering ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ attitude has empowered me to overcome numerous challenges, build a tight-knit team, and continuously enhance our client service capabilities. As a business owner and a busy mom of three, I know a thing or two about multitasking and organization. My secret to doing it all is… that I don’t do it all. I’ve mastered the art of delegation – and I’m passionate about helping Interior Designers do the same.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Moving from the UK to China at 6 months pregnant! I had always been a ‘homebody’ and never had any intention of living or working abroad. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed travelling and taking vacations but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would move out of the county to become an Expat. It was the best thing I have ever done – it took a few years to fully adjust, but I have been living outside of the UK for nearly 10 years now. The US is definitely ‘home’ now.
Taking that leap made me realize that the world is a big place – there is so much to see and experience. Embracing and immersing myself in different cultures, the friendships I have made along the way, the challenges I have faced have changed my outlook on life and me as a person forever.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When I first moved to China I was incredibly homesick. The Eastern world was a far cry from what I was used to at ‘Home’. Shanghai was a beautiful city, but the culture and language barriers made everything a struggle. Even simple daily tasks we take for granted like grocery shopping, going to the Dr’s, turning on the TV to watch Netflix or paying an electricity bill online became hurdles to overcome. I was very close after 6 months to packing my case and flying back home but my husband encouraged me to stick it out for a few more months. And i’m so glad he did!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“Designers should do it all.”
Reality: No one can excel at design, procurement, project management, bookkeeping, and social media all at once. The myth of the “solo super-designer” keeps many small firms stretched thin instead of embracing delegation, systems, and support. Which is where we come in! Design isn’t just about making things pretty – there is so much more involved!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Today, I’m investing in things that won’t “pay off” immediately but matter deeply in the long run. I started my business to be self employed so I could be around for my children growing up. To be able to attend lunchtime halloween parades, class parties and field days. The hours I give them now won’t show up in my bank account or on my resume, but they’re deposits into building shared memories. In 7–10 years, when they’re teenagers, I hope they will appreciate that I was around for it all, and I’ll see the return in the closeness we’ve built and the values they carry forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mcvirtualassistants.com/
- Instagram: @mc_virtualassistants
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mc-virtual-assistants/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcvirtualassistants
Image Credits
Flint and Flower Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
