After redundancy, Ingrid Blake found that self-employment gave her the flexibility to build a business around her family. In this profile, the virtual administrator UK founder explains how she built a home-based business and what she learned along the way.

When Ingrid Blake launched The Cyber Sec in April 2006, the term “virtual assistant” was still relatively new in the UK. Working from a home office in Hertfordshire, she provided remote secretarial and administrative support to busy professionals who needed reliable help without the cost of a full-time employee. Her experience shows how redundancy can become the catalyst for a more balanced working life.

Today, self-employment and home working are far more common. ONS data shows that millions of people in the UK are self-employed, with women making up a significant share. Survey data also confirms that working from home has become a routine arrangement for many UK workers. For many women, the ability to control their hours and avoid a daily commute is just as important as income. You can find more context on our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.

What does a virtual administrator UK service involve?

I am a virtual administrator, carrying out a full range of secretarial and administrative tasks from my home office. Clients outsource everything from diary management and email handling to document formatting, data entry and general office administration, freeing them to focus on running their own businesses.

The virtual assistant and virtual administrator sector has grown significantly since 2006. Many home-based admin professionals now also offer bookkeeping, social media management, customer service and project support. This flexibility allows small businesses to buy specialist skills only when they need them, while the administrator benefits from varied work and low overheads.

When did you start your business?

April 2006.

What motivated you to become self-employed?

I had been made redundant from the company where I had worked for nine years. I had flexible hours and the job was local to my home. I needed to retain some flexibility for my two school-age sons and I thought that working from home would afford me the flexibility I required.

Ingrid’s decision reflects a wider trend: flexibility is repeatedly cited as one of the main drivers for women starting a business. A home-based role can make it easier to manage school runs, caring responsibilities and personal wellbeing alongside paid work. It can also reduce the costs of childcare, travel and work wardrobes, making self-employment financially viable for mothers who might otherwise struggle to find suitable employment.

Have you used any business support services?

I received some excellent advice from WENTA (Watford Enterprise Agency) when I was thinking about starting the company. Their practical guidance on business planning and finance was invaluable.

Business Link, the government support service that operated at the time, closed in 2012. Entrepreneurs in England can now find impartial advice through GOV.UK, local Growth Hubs and enterprise agencies such as WENTA. Useful starting points include checking whether you are eligible for start-up finance through the Start Up Loans scheme, exploring free mentoring through your local Growth Hub, and speaking to your local council about business rates relief. You should also register for HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment, which becomes mandatory from April 2027 for sole traders and landlords with turnover above £50,000. Our Self-Employed Tax UK guide sets out the current rules.

What are the highlights of being self-employed?

I maintain an excellent work-life balance. Working from home means that I can keep on top of domestic jobs like the washing and unloading the dishwasher. I am also able to do the school run, attend school events and play an active part in my sons’ school lives. I also make time for myself by seeing a personal trainer two or three times a week, and occasionally lunching with friends.

Control over your working environment is one of the biggest benefits of self-employment. For women juggling caring responsibilities, a home-based business can reduce commuting time and create space for both professional and personal priorities. That said, it is important to create a dedicated workspace and set boundaries so that work does not spill into family time.

What challenges have you faced?

I have experienced some excessive and unrealistic demands from clients who do not appreciate the pressures I am under as a working mother. Setting clear boundaries from the outset is essential.

This is a common issue for freelancers and virtual assistants. Learning to manage client expectations, using clear contracts and communicating your working hours helps protect your work-life balance and prevents burnout. It can also help to define your services clearly in writing, agree response times and charge appropriately for out-of-hours or rush work. Clients who respect your boundaries are usually the ones who value your professionalism most.

Have you experienced any disadvantages because you are female?

On the contrary, I have found being female a distinct advantage in my line of business. My opinions and suggestions are appreciated and the female ability to multi-task is always admired.

What advice would you give to women starting a business?

It is often challenging but always rewarding. If you believe in yourself, then others will also believe in you. Running your own business requires confidence in yourself and your skills, and if you are confident, people will be convinced of your abilities. Don’t be afraid to say no. Honesty is the best policy and always appreciated.

Ingrid’s final point is particularly important for service-based businesses. Saying no to the wrong client creates room for the right ones. If you are ready to start your own virtual administrator UK business, review our guides on working-from-home expenses, self-employed tax and starting a business.

What action steps can you take?

• Check your eligibility for Start Up Loans or local Growth Hub support before you launch.
• Register with HMRC and prepare for Making Tax Digital if your turnover will exceed £50,000 from April 2027.
• Set clear client boundaries in writing from day one, including response times and out-of-hours rates.
• Claim allowable working-from-home expenses to keep your tax bill accurate.