I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much I talk about my clients’ stories, and how little I share about my own. I’m usually the person in the background making things happen, but maybe it’s time to go behind the scenes at GwenGreen. So here’s a more personal one – a few things I don’t usually tell people about me or about GwenGreen Creative Virtual Assistant, but probably should.
1. I’m not ‘just’ a VA
Yes, I run GwenGreen, but I’m also a Certified VA Mentor and a Certified Business Strategist. I’ve helped several VAs set up their own businesses, get clear on their systems, and build confidence in what they offer. The strategy side of my work means I’m not just doing the tasks, I’m helping clients think about the why behind what they do. Whether it’s refining a service, simplifying a workflow, or making sure their systems actually support the business they want to run, I love seeing how those small changes can make everything click. It’s about looking at the bigger picture, not just ticking off a to-do list.
2. I love being creative and techy
Most people tend to be one or the other, but I live somewhere in the middle. One day I’m designing workbooks or planners, the next I’m building Jotforms with conditional logic and Stripe payments or sorting DNS records (glamorous, I know). But it works, especially when you need a pretty landing page that contains an integrated Jotform booking form, triggers emails, and sends data to Stripe. It’s that mix of creativity and structure that keeps things interesting, and lets me help clients bring their ideas to life in a way that looks good and works properly.
3. You’re unlikely to see my name on a project
You’re unlikely to see my name on a project, but you’ll probably see my work. From websites and online shops to newsletters and forms, I’m usually the person quietly making things happen in the background. I’m also the one who makes changes when clients decide last minute to switch direction, or who picks up the pieces when something doesn’t work quite as planned. It’s rarely glamorous, but it’s satisfying knowing everything runs smoothly because I was there sorting it.
4. My clients stay with me for years
Many of my clients have been with me for over three years – some much longer. I think that says more about how I work than any testimonial could. They know I’ll remember the small details, keep things running quietly in the background, and fix problems without making a fuss. I care about their businesses, but I also care about them. That loyalty goes both ways, and it’s one of the things I value most about what I do.
5. I built my business to fit around life, not the other way round
GwenGreen isn’t just a job. It’s a business that’s part of who I am. I don’t separate my creativity or problem-solving from everyday life – it’s all connected. I love that I can plan my week around what feels good, balance client work with my own projects, and still have space to think. It’s taken time to shape things this way, but it means I genuinely enjoy what I do and the people I do it for.
6. I understand different brains
A lot of my clients are neurodivergent, and over time I’ve learned how to build systems and communication styles that reduce stress, not add to it. A couple of clients like a “here’s what’s coming next week” overview by WhatsApp on a Friday, because it’s easier than checking a diary. If someone can’t get on with a specific bit of software, I’ll find something else that suits them better. I’ve learned there’s never one right way to work, only the way that works for you.
7. I’ve built a lot of experience I forget to talk about
I’ve been doing this since 2018, and I’ve picked up a lot of insight along the way – what works, what doesn’t, and the little things that make a big difference. My “Form Fairy” nickname came from years of designing forms that actually make sense. After all this time, I can often spot gaps in a system or fix something in minutes that would take others hours. Everything I share online comes from real experience, not theory.
Writing this reminded me why I do what I do, and how much of myself I pour into the work I create for my clients. It’s a little glimpse behind the scenes at GwenGreen, and next week I’ll be sharing a look at how I do it, in a post called My GwenGreen Method. But for now, thanks for reading and for caring enough to peek behind the curtain.
Photo by Photography by Rohini – the talented human behind most of my favourite photos
