Erin Thomas Wong
You're listening to the life friendly business podcast. I'm your host, Erin Thomas Wong, business mentor, author and founder of the cocoon VIP membership, empowering women around the world to build businesses on their terms. If you want to grow and scale a business that works in harmony with your family and your life, this podcast is for you.
In today's show, I'm speaking to Rebecca Newenham, the founder of get ahead, your virtual agency, Rebecca has grown her business to a team of 50 virtual specialists, and has 10 UK franchisees under her belt and will be launching in Sydney, Australia later this month. In this interview, Rebecca shares how her upbringing inspired her to build her own business. And she shares her tips for thinking big getting the right support securing more ideal clients and making sure your diary stays manageable.
Hi, Rebecca, thank you very much for joining me on the life friendly business podcast.
Rebeccca Newenham
Oh, it's so lovely to be here Erin, I followed you for such a long time. It's a real honour to be here.
Erin Thomas Wong
Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. That's always so lovely to hear. And I've got so much that I want to ask you today because I know that you've got so much experience and, and knowledge that you're going to be able to share with our listeners. So first of all, just explain why you started your own business in the first place.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yeah, very good question. So I had a corporate retail buying background. And I took a career break when I had our three daughters. But in the back of my mind always had been my passion for setting something up for myself, my mom, when I was growing up, and my brother, my father was a head teacher. So he was out to various a classic hours, and my mom set up a tutorial agency. So she was matching children that needed extra tuition with a pool of teachers that she had available to her. And she really inspired me always because it meant that, you know, she could support me at school, she was around after school, which was always really important. And I loved her model and that flexibility.
So I was so desperate in a way to find something like that, that I could set up for myself, I did a year's foundation as a humanistic counselling course, but quickly realised it wasn't for me. And then I'd heard a lot about virtual support virtual assistants, they're probably 10 years ahead of us in the States. So that suddenly sort of triggered my interest, which then led on to me doing a very sort of short, sharp course, and then interpreting that into what is now my own business of Get Ahead.
Erin Thomas Wong
I love the fact that your mum was such a strong role model for you. And you know, and I think that's one thing about the women that I work with as well who were starting businesses after having children, you know, it's such an amazing role model for your children to show that you don't have to fit into a box. You were taught at school, aren't we like, what career do you want to follow? And now there are so many different opportunities. And it's great that they see examples of that,
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, oh no, and I've got videos from my girls are now 15,17 and 20 this weekend, which makes me feel really old. But I've got videos of my 15 year olds, coming to me to it with exhibitions, putting little scarf on and pretending she's doing an elevator pitch, and it's hysterical. But you know, that's all part. They've grown up with me doing this. And they're really proud of them. Actually, my 20 year old has been running our Instagram for me for the last 18 months. And it's so lucky for me to give her she's doing a marketing degree, give her some practical experience, and she can see the importance of what we're doing.
Erin Thomas Wong
That's wonderful. That's brilliant. And so one thing that I'd like to ask you, because obviously you know you, you have set up a really solid business model, and you've got your agency model where you've got 50 virtual experts working for you. But then you've also franchise, you've got 10 franchisees, now you're launching in Sydney. My question to you is, when you first started this business, was it always the plan to make it a big business? Or did you start off thinking much smaller?
Rebeccca Newenham
It was always a plan to make it bigger. I had that sort of vision. And remember when we labelled the name the business my husband I spent ages trying to think of something that didn't play on my very complicated surname that was more generic and I remember we said right get ahead your virtual assistant as we were then because we also thought it could be get ahead your something else as well. So yes, I always had a vision. I wanted it bigger than me. I didn't want to be doing the client work myself. I knew I didn't have those skill set, but I knew we it had legs and we could morph into something else. And that's what's been the most exciting thing seeing how that has morphed into something bigger, but something that also holds my energy because I can get quite bored. And I think what I've done, I've done that now I want something next. And that's where the Sydney with the Australia bits been really exciting for me, because we've obviously got a steady pattern in the UK, we're building that. But the global bits really exciting. So yeah, it's just interesting. It's all about what where you put your energy, isn't it and making sure that you're continually learning but also wanting to get up in the morning to keep going?
Erin Thomas Wong
Oh, yeah. And I think that that's, that's one thing that I find really exciting about being a business owner is that there is always more stuff to learn. And I know that the the other side of that is, sometimes it can feel really overwhelming. But you know, the way I see it is that there's, there's always room for growth. And that's a really positive thing. And like you say, as, as people as humans, we need to feel like we are growing in all those ways. And we need to feel inspired by our our businesses don't we.
Rebeccca Newenham
Absolutely. And I would say the role of a business coach has been huge for me. And I remember I've had my first one when I was about two or three years into the business, and it felt very grown up as well can I really justify this, because knows quite a lot of money out of my sort of budget. But actually, I don't think I could have done what I've done without a business coach. And actually, yesterday, I had a session with a leadership coach at the moment, who's amazing. And we talked about all sorts of different things. But I don't understand how I could have grown it without that external support.
Erin Thomas Wong
I love the fact that you've brought that up, because that was going to be one of my questions, because I know that there's going to be people listening to this, who will feel like what you have achieved might be unachievable for them. And it might feel really daunting for them the idea of everything that you've created, but the point is, is that, you know, I assume that you've taken on people who have that expertise, and to be able to guide you to the place that you're at now.
Rebeccca Newenham
Oh, absolutely. And I sort of described them, often as my sort of professional family. I think at any networking event, anything you're doing, you will naturally be drawn to certain people. And I've always known that I couldn't do it alone, you know, even down to having a couple of sessions with a speaking coach, because I've naturally done a little bit more speaking over the last few years. And if I look back to when I was at school, it was the last thing I thought I'd ever do I couldn't bear it. So actually knowing that I needed to get my voice out there a little bit more, I invested some time with Jez Ray has been amazing. And that has enabled me then to have other opportunities to do things. But the coaching has been fundamental to me, but also realising that you don't have to stay with the same coach for years and years, you want to bring people in to complement and support the development of your business at any, any certain time really.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, I really, really resonate with that, because I feel like, you know, that's one thing over the years that I've been running my own businesses is that I've been able to, you know, gather around to me experts in all different areas, and that have been able to help me and I'm meeting people all the time. But also, that's why I wanted to develop the cocoon as well, because I was able to bring all these experts in to help all the other women as well, yes, because I think you need to be always looking around you. And, you know, and working out where you can get your next inspiration from and you know, you're the next ideas for your business.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes. And of course, we met at Bryony's is waterside conference didn't we were that was two whole days of absorbing content from other people. And I think that is really important as well, it doesn't just come one to one, it's going to conferences, just putting yourself out there in a in a slightly different arena.
Erin Thomas Wong
Absolutely. I mean, did you in terms of investing in in the business? Like you say, you know, I think, you know, for me, I very much started off on shoestring budgets. And I, you know, for years, I tried to do everything, myself, and I tried to do everything for free. And I know that a lot of women that I work with it that that mindset about investing money when you're not earning any money is a real challenge. So how you started off thinking big, which is brilliant. Did you did you have a budget to start with? Did you have investment? Like how did you make this business grow to what it is today?
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes. So no, I didn't have investment at the beginning. You know, I was there in my secondhand laptop and things but I was in a position in my husband, I agreed that this was going to be something bigger. So we did and I've never taken huge amounts of money out of the business. But and then I've often invested in bits when I've needed to so things like the franchise licence, setting up the franchise was quite pricey. So we did invest a little bit of money in that which was important to sort of take us to the next stage. But as I say, I think people look I don't know business owners and what's right for you, you're running your own business, taking loads of cash with you. And actually, that's hardly ever the case. But for me, I always have that mindset of reinvesting every time to make it bigger.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, yeah, I know that I definitely relate to that. And, and so obviously you know you how many years have you been running the business?
Rebeccca Newenham
So it's 11 this month
Erin Thomas Wong
11 Fantastic. And how have you managed to keep this business life friendly? Do you feel like it is a life friendly business?
Rebeccca Newenham
Oh, yeah, totally. And I set it up because I wanted to empower other people to run the franchise, part of it, you know, to be flexible, but also for our clients to be able to dip in and out of resorts that otherwise might not be available available to them. And our team of virtual experts, I remember, when I first set the business up being in the playground, and then suddenly realising that, obviously, there were lots of third parents like me that have amazing skill sets a great experience, who was struggling to get that balance. So it was quite interesting couple of my first virtual experts happened to be people from school that I knew. And it was lovely to see them really gaining in a confidence that it's perhaps not having worked for several years, but wanting to keep their skill set alive, which is really, really important.
So for me, when I'm selling in the franchise opportunity, I was selling in a flexible job that you can do between school hours, because I know you can. And it's often about the boundaries. And then for the virtual experts, the same thing I'm saying it doesn't matter when you're working when you're delivering the client work as long as it's getting done. So I know some of my team work really well in the evening, and perhaps want to have a bit more flexibility in the daytime. So I certainly believe it's a life friendly business.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah. And I think that one thing you touched on there is is a lot of these women that we all know, who are highly skilled, you know, they've held professional careers, and whether they've decided to not go back or actually it's not been viable for them to go back once they've had children. Like, you know, they have these amazing skills that are kind of being wasted in kind of, you know, very low paid admin jobs. You know, because that's the only thing you can you know, if you want a flexible job to be employed, often that's what you're faced with.
Rebeccca Newenham
No, totally all sort of working in the supermarket. And I get everyone needs that flexibility, but it's finding one that keeps your brain going as well I think.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, absolutely. So in terms of you and your life, how, how do you manage the business around your three children?
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, so my kids are teenagers, which I remember before, when they were younger, you ought to be alright, when they're teenagers, they don't need this much. And actually, that's not the case at all. So I think for me, it's communicating with them what I'm doing. So if I know I'm going to be away overnight, I'll make sure they understand that. So it's sort of keeping them in the loop.
I've always been very good at sort of peppering My Week with making sure I see some friends doing exercise. So I sort of have a speak structure that way. And I have to say, I found Calendly to be one of my best friends in lockdown. Because I had never really managed my diary particularly well. I've been forever sending out lists of dates for people. So things like that to make my life easier have definitely helped and boundary settings and making sure I try and stop four o'clock see the girls for a bit. And then I might pop back a little bit later.
But I've always tried again, not to do evening work. So I'm not an evening person, I like to be tucked up in bed by 10. And I want to be doing loads of work in the evening. So I think that has played a big part as well, where I get my energy and time of day as well. I also try not to work weekends, unless I've got something really pressing to me know reach a deadline or something.
Erin Thomas Wong
That's brilliant. And I Yeah, I'm with you on all of those things. You mentioned Calendly, which for people who don't know is where you can, people can book in calls with you. And you can set your your availability on a calendar, and it's all very smooth, and they get an automated email response, confirming the appointment and reminding them of the appointment. And actually, yeah, I was speaking to a mentoring client yesterday about that, because, you know, her day was basically peppered with calls. And so, you know, it felt very overwhelming, it felt like she didn't have time to do anything else. And so we were talking about setting her availability, you know, so it's much tighter, so you've got like two hours in the morning or three hours where you have all your calls. And then you know, you've got a good few hours later on in the day to do the other stuff that you need to do. And I think that those and also I really encourage people to block out what I call CEO time every week, where and for me that that can be all sorts of things. I mean, yes, it can be looking at finance stuff, but it can also just be giving me some headspace to think about the bigger picture stuff that's going on at the time.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, I like that. Because we're gonna have to add that we can spend so much time comparing responding to other people's agenda. I know before we started this call we were talking about my feelings sometimes I've actually that my email can still dominate now 11 years on, I want to be efficient I want to come across well so that in turn in turn means I should be looking at my emails and responding which actually is ridiculous. So I am trying to get better than I leave my phone down in my office at nighttime. So I don't have that upstairs. And it's just those tiny little tweaks, isn't it that can make a big difference, I think.
Erin Thomas Wong
And it is really hard because we are, we are so plugged in these days, you know, with with having email and social on on our mobile phones that everything and you know, this idea that you might look at your email first thing in the morning. And you might think, well, I know I haven't got time to respond to it. So I'm just having a look. And then I'll go back to it later. But your brain is already trying to process what it seen, even if it's just seeing a snippet of the email, like your brain has already gone off, they're trying to work it out, and then you're going to be distracted.
As you know, we really do have to put those boundaries in for ourselves, don't we, where we're much stricter with ourselves like I, I'm with the kids right now, I don't have time to respond properly to anything. So therefore, I will not look at my email. No, I mean, I say that I need to do this more myself.
Rebeccca Newenham
Well funnily enough, I've been in a meeting when it's face to face and then I sort of jumped in the car, and then I'll sit for five minutes quickly checking what things have come through. It's like this is ridiculous, and like you say, then become distracted. And actually being in the car listening to a podcast is so much better for us than scrambling around trying to email people. So yeah, I'm like you I need to put that in practice more, I think.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, it's much easier to give other people advice than what we should be doing. Have you had to make any difficult decisions in your business in order to keep it life friendly, in order to keep your stress levels down, that kind of thing.
Rebeccca Newenham
I think I've probably in the past, grown in confidence to say to a prospect, actually, I can't help you. Or I think in the past, I would go to great lengths to try and make prospect inquiry become a reality. But now I'm better at thinking actually, that doesn't really sound like it's going to be very easy, or I don't think I've got the people within the team that could do that. So therefore it's going to mean I'm going to have to go hunting elsewhere. And that's when it can be stressful.
So I think it's a confidence bit for me that I now feel I can recognise the type of clients that we can really benefit and support and have a confidence to say actually, I'm really sorry, we're not for you. And that's the same as my franchise, prospect franchisees, you know, I'm much clearer now three years old, on the profile of the perfect franchisee. I've had a handful that haven't worked out for various reasons. So I think I'm continually learning and not seeing that as a negative either. So tweaking and just realising that I'm in charge of this, I don't have to work with everyone, not everyone's our clients. And at the time, it can sound quite brutal, but actually it does everyone good in the long run.
Erin Thomas Wong
That and that is a huge point to get to because I think that so many people who are freelance or running their own business, it's that feast or famine, and the idea of turning down a client is absolutely terrifying, know
Rebeccca Newenham
What they're gonna think of me, why am I doing this, you know, I could do with the cash, but actually could do the cash he couldn't do with the hassle. And I think that's the difference.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, absolutely. And how I mean, obviously, they look at what you've achieved on on paper, and it's incredible 10 franchisees, you know, 50 people in your team, but how do you measure your success?
Rebeccca Newenham
It's good point. So I guess for me, it's often hearing it from other people. So funnily enough, Joe, who runs my Surrey office, she and I went to an exhibition, which was first face to face one apart from obviously, the ribbons festival where I saw you, but we had a stand. And I was just a reflecting afterwards, that the number of people that had come up to me and said, Oh, you've done so well, you've got to this point in so many years, and actually, it's hearing it from other people, as always rather lovely. And recognising, you know, people came up and spoke to me that I hadn't perhaps ever met before. That was a sort of rather nice fitting, I'm sponsoring the women's panel. So there were five of us on a panel. And after the panel finishing people came up and said, how great it have been various things. And I think I sort of suddenly realised that yes, I have matured, and I'm being recognised for my outputs more than perhaps I would have done in the past.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, that's brilliant. For people who are listening, who are feeling like, you know, what you've achieved is something that they would they would really like to do to but they have no idea whether their business is scalable, or how they would do that. What advice would you give for them
Rebeccca Newenham
Definitely involve somebody external. So when I was looking at the franchise, opportunity, I work with the franchise consultants sort of do a SWOT analysis and I utilised his experience to sort of verify whether it would work or not. So I think looking you know, as you are a mentor to people go past to a mentor. The local enterprise hubs are great at offering free coaching and things so it's sort of getting a base Understanding what you want to achieve and then finding someone to support you and just checking it over to see if it is right I think that's probably the easiest way of doing it. But I would encourage everyone, if you're thinking of scaling it don't not look into it properly. Because I think most things have a potential to be scaled, but it's utilising the resource of someone external to support you in that process. I think it's critical.
Erin Thomas Wong
I think, yeah, I think it's really good to recognise that you don't know what you don't know. Yeah. Yeah. And, and for me, you know, it was actually having I won the a business strategy session on this kind of Christmas online raffle thing that they were doing, and I had this business strategy. And at that point, with my business back then making mompreneurs, I had basically set it up as an online community. And I was hoping to make money through affiliate marketing. And for any of you who've done affiliate marketing, you know, it's, it's a lot harder than it looks. And you also need to be very savvy about who you decide to promote. But it was actually that meeting with her that I said, you know, I've got all this community and I need to make this into a proper business, because I'm not making any money. And it was heard that said, you need to make it into a membership. And before that time, I never heard of paid memberships. I didn't, you know, so, it that was like an absolutely pivotal, pivotal moment. And if I hadn't had that conversation with an external person, you know, maybe I would have learnt about it myself in the years to come. But that moved me forward leaps and bounds.
Rebeccca Newenham
Oh, how interesting, it is often a pivotal visit. So for me with the franchise, we were exhibiting at Bristol at a general business expo and I was very much like you an opportunity to speak to the guy that then turned out to be my franchise consultant, because he I met him and he said, Why aren't you making this into a franchise? And I said, because I've always heard very negative sort of connotations around the greedy franchise or, but that led us to do what we're doing. So you're right, it's just a case of little bits can be a real changing point for you.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, definitely. So picking your brains now for a bit a bit more advice on, you know, for the kind of model that you run this agency model, you, you must need to teach your franchisees how to get more clients. So what have you found most, most effective to get the word out there about your services?
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, so two things, networking, so the actual physical face to face or obviously online. That's proof. That's what I say to all my franchisees, when they're joining, you have to almost go to the opening of a crisp packet, you know, you need to be every opportunity you can to get people to remember you because we all know, you know people buy from people they know but they need to see you more than a handful of times to even remember what you do or understand what you do.
So networking, really honing in on your elevator pitch, but also understanding the role of networking. So not just broadcasting about yourself the whole time and back, is really getting to know other people, the power of the one to one is huge. And again, I'll say, when you go to a networking meeting, try and come away with dates for to one to ones that you can then meet up with someone else and don't when you're having a one to one, don't just launch into yourself and always start with the other person, ask what they're doing, even ask how, what help they might need help. So you can try and link them to other people.
And then secondly, I would say LinkedIn certainly for our business is huge. And I get into Instagram plays a big part in perhaps a more creative business. But LinkedIn, I absolutely adore. And I will dedicate special special time to that every day to make sure that I'm commenting on things and putting post sales on there. And our company page has grown quite considerably over the last year or so on LinkedIn. And I can see that playing a role as long as you can share memes and things. So I think that those would be my two areas of client development and making sure that you're in the arena where your ideal clients hang out. So for us, LinkedIn is where the business owners and founders generally will see us. And then that means obviously to referral. And I'd say a majority of my personal business comes through referrals from other people, which again, is a reflection then on me having got the message out there and tell people what we're about and them understanding what we can offer which is great.
Erin Thomas Wong
I've got two questions about that or not questions, comments and questions. One is about networking. I think that that is something that people misunderstand. And people go to a networking meeting and feel like if they haven't made a sale. It's a complete waste of time. And it's a longer term strategy, isn't it? It's about it's about building friendships and connections and the fact that that person that you meet at the networking, they might not become a customer but they might have friends that become you know that oh, they spread the word.
Rebeccca Newenham
No, absolutely. Always. that you don't know, when you're talking in a networking environment, you're also talking to those peoples connections as well. Because if they have the right mindset, they'll then link you together that way, which is why it's so important to spend the time getting to know people. Because that's really like your sort of market standards that you're out there telling people what you're about. And that boils down to and making sure you're consistent in how you look, you know, not turning up in joggers, but wanting to sort of make your brand stand out. And I think that's one thing with our orange logo, we get recognised sometimes for EasyJet, but not always.
In the networking arena, people will recognise this, and I'm all about the leopard print and printed dresses, so Gemma and I attire at exhibition last week, all different colours, different patterns, but we sort of had our brand bit out there. And I think people appreciate that as well that you're consistent. And that balls out if you're just setting your business up. Branding is critical. And I know I'm passionate about it, because I was a retail buyer before. But I think it's always worth spending some time on your branding. And obviously, it can change over time as you as your business model packs morphs into something else, but it is important to look the past as well as your brand.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah and great points as well that businesses do evolve over time. And we have to keep checking that our branding and our messaging is is is moving along with that as well. Yeah, no, absolutely. So we're coming to the end of the interview now. And I'd love to hear what kind of advice you would give our listeners who are trying to build and scale their business, but they're struggling to fit everything in around family life as well. So what advice would you give them to keep that balance,
Rebeccca Newenham
I would say, don't get in a panic about it, you know, things evolved. And they would also be like we'd spoken about earlier, be very disciplined with your diary. So perhaps think, Well, I haven't got kids at this time. So I'm going to give myself two hours of breathing space and do some planning on this day and probably take ownership of your diary nor, and then that'll make you feel that you've actually got some control rather than being too responsive to other people's agenda. So I would list all the things that you want to achieve that week, like networking prospect calls various things, and then actually allocate time and I found one of my previous coaches helped me with sort of a daily calendar whereby we list I would look ahead of time and think well, 11 o'clock, I'm going to spend some time on social media and literally list that down on a on a calendar. And then at two o'clock, I'm going to make this call to a particular person. So then at least you you're not just going with the flow, you've actually got some control, you can tick that off.
And then at the end of each day, look at your diary for the next day plan again, what way you want to spend specific time, so perhaps we're doing a presentation, and you need to do some research for that. So list out all the different tasks that are involved in your to do list for the week, and then allocate them to this sort of the daily calendar. And then I think you'll come away at the end of the day feeling you've actually achieved some things. But very importantly, put in time for you, whether it's an exercise class or something, and also time for your family. So then you all feel like you possibly have a balance. But I think planning ahead of beginning of the week, so useful. And then reflecting back and capturing anything that you need to do the following day is also helpful.
Erin Thomas Wong
Definitely, and I think that that whole idea of taking ownership of your diary, that's, that's a real nugget there. Because that's how we can do things on our own terms, you have to take back the power and make sure that you're scheduling in, like you say, not just the work stuff, but also the, you know, that the downtime and the exercise class, and you know, and really kind of set those boundaries, because when you're working at home as well, it's so easy to for work and life to merge into one. And I mean, obviously, you know, we are one person and we have to take a holistic approach. But, you know, we do have to set the boundaries for ourselves, like, you know, on a Friday, I'm going to finish work at two o'clock. And that's what I'm going to do every week, and then we have to stick to it.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes and make this a habit, don't really I think the important thing. And then if something goes wrong, just recognise that and move on don't harbour and overthink things as well, because I've certainly done that in the past that gets us nowhere.
Erin Thomas Wong
Absolutely. And what's coming next for you?
Rebeccca Newenham
Well, I'm going to be exhibiting at the International Franchise show at Excel in London. So that's sort of not hanging out. I understand now what I'm going to do there, I just need to write my seminar speech. So I'm doing half an hour seminar speech on finding the right franchise for you, which will be good. And then I'm quite involved with British Franchise Association. So I got accepted into their membership earlier this year. So they've got quite a few events coming up. So yep, nope, full on. And I think I hadn't anticipated how quite tiring face to face things are having done a couple of face to face events recently. So I'm just mindful of that a little bit. And funnily enough, I'm going to soften into Southampton to, we're going to be exhibiting at the Hampshire Business Show in about a month. And I've got to go for a pre exhibition meeting. And normally I'll jump in the car and write race down there, but I'm actually going to get the train. So indulging in a bit of me time, so I've got my to do list with me, but I think it's about being a bit grown up and acknowledging that where we get our energy and where our energy is taken away, so I thought I'd rather get the train on a Friday afternoon and then sit in traffic for ages.
Erin Thomas Wong
Yeah, and I think, you know, after 18 months of doing lots of stuff on Zoom, and over the phone, I, I totally agree doing in person stuff it does. It's an adjustment again, and and it does you feel your energy being used up.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, yeah. Yeah, no totally.
Erin Thomas Wong
And I just want to say as well about the British Franchise Association, because my first business was a franchise of small print fingerprint, jewellery. And, yeah, when we haven't really kind of had a chance to chat about that. But I was just gonna say that, you know, my first port of call was to go to the British Franchise Association, and understand what a franchise was. And I actually did a day course in what it meant to be a franchisee, and, you know, and absolutely was looking at whether this franchise was listed on their recommended franchises. So that's amazing that you have got that, you know, affiliation with them as well. And definitely somewhere that I would recommend people look if they're interested in franchises.
Rebeccca Newenham
Yes, no, absolutely. Yeah. No, brilliant.
Erin Thomas Wong
So where can people find out more about you?
Rebeccca Newenham
Well, I've got my website. So that's getaheadva.com. I'm on LinkedIn. So I'd love to be connected with anyone that's just interested in chat anytime. That's just Rebecca Newenham. And then I'm on the usual Instagram, and good old noisy Twitter, which really is one of my favourites. But you have to be on there, don't you? But yes, connect with me on LinkedIn would be great. And also look at our website.
Erin Thomas Wong
Wonderful. And one last question for you. So if you could go back and speak to Rebecca, when she very first started this business? What would you tell yourself?
Rebeccca Newenham
Oh, I would say take each day at a time. Don't get your knickers in a twist. And the right thing will come your way. I've always been very good at sticking to my lane on the motorway, so to speak. And I would just say no, keep doing that. Do what gives you energy and don't get sort of weighed down by the competition.
Erin Thomas Wong
Excellent advice. Thanks. Brilliant. Thank you so much. It's been an absolute pleasure to speak to you.
Rebeccca Newenham
Thanks for having me on.
Erin Thomas Wong
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
