APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here she gives a reader advice whose ambitions about starting her own business are starting to conflict with returning to work as a PA.
Q) I’ve run a kids’ party-planning business for the last 10 years.
However, things have been tough since the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, so I took on some PA work to keep myself afloat.
I’ve gradually increased my hours and responsibilities as a PA, and I now only organise a few parties a year.
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The company says they don’t know what they did without me, and it’s great to have a regular monthly salary.
But I also want to get my party-planning business back on track now the economy is starting to pick up.
Is it possible to do both, and if so, how do I get the balance right?
Anita, via email
A) Balancing two roles, especially when one involves running your own business, can be challenging – but it is definitely manageable (as women, we often wear several hats at once!).
Having a part-time business and a full-time job requires planning, time management and self-awareness.
You need to be realistic about your responsibilities and the time you can commit to the different roles.
Make sure both your employer and your clients are aware of when you are available and when you are not, so you are managing expectations from the start – don’t over-promise!
Use a schedule to help you stay organised, and set aside specific blocks for your party-planning business, ensuring you dedicate enough time to keep it running and growing.
Streamline tasks using calendar apps, project-management tools and communication platforms.
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Regularly evaluate how it’s going, and if one of the roles is becoming too demanding or if you need to shift priorities, be flexible in adapting your schedule and commitments. Good luck!
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.