I’ll keep it quick, time is precious!

I spent over 10 years in education, and whilst I loved my job, it became clear that the more I worked, the less time I had for anything else. No matter how much I organised, the to-do list never stopped growing. I was running on empty, and after a while, it felt like I was just going through the motions. It wasn’t about the students or my colleagues, it was the burnout and the constant pressure to do it all, without any time left for myself.

So, I made the decision to walk away. I handed in my notice, walked out on my last day feeling lighter than I had in years, and never looked back.

I had held various roles before teaching, I worked as a hospitality manager in a busy theatre, where I led a team and made sure everything ran smoothly, even on the busiest of Saturday nights. It was all about thinking on my feet, problem-solving in real time, and keeping a cool head under pressure. I also worked in various design roles, including at John Lewis & Partners, where I learned how to connect with clients, develop high end creative solutions, and manage projects from start to finish.

But teaching — teaching gave me some of the best skills I never knew I had. I learned how to stay calm when everything’s chaotic, how to lead and motivate a team (even when it’s just me and a pile of lesson plans), how to think on my feet and solve problems quickly and how to communicate clearly with everyone — from students to parents to administrators. Plus, I got really good at juggling multiple tasks at once and finding new ways to streamline workflow on behalf of the department.

That’s when it hit me — I could bring together the methodical and structured, yet adaptable approach I honed in teaching with the creative problem-solving I loved from design and hospitality.

That’s why I started gemmashawVA.co.uk.

Now, we help small business owners take control of their time, reduce their overwhelm, and get back to doing what they love. Whether it’s tackling their admin, improving their systems, or just giving them space to breathe again, we’re here to help.

🌈 I’m proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and I’ve built my business to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone. When anyone reaches out to inquire about our services, you can be sure that you’ll receive nothing but a warm, friendly welcome. Everyone deserves respect, understanding, and support, and that’s exactly what we offer, no exceptions.

🧠 I’ve also worked with a range of neurodiverse clients and students in the past and understand that everyone needs support and to communicate in their own way. That’s why we always tailor everything we do to fit the individual.

At the heart of everything we do? Efficiency. Empathy. Inclusivity. Always.