SmartPA partner Jennifer Thackray featured in The Businesswoman’s Network this week.

The school and summer holidays will soon be drawing to a close and it’s back to work and business as usual.

As we fast approach September we are very busy here at The Business Woman’s Network preparing for several launch events in Essex and Suffolk.

So we most definitely see the benefits of hiring an extra pair of hands to free up some time in our busy diaries and that’s exactly what Jennifer creates for her clients – extra time in their business.

Let’s find out more about Jennifer (pictured) and how her business can help other businesses.

What made you set up SmartPA?

After spending 23 years in local government and delivering high-profile projects within the private sector, earlier this year I decided the time was right to achieve my ambition of running my own business. I launched my SmartPA partnership in June this year and I’m now focussing my attention on supporting local businesses, helping them to become more efficient.

How do you help other business owners?

As a SmartPA I provide outsourced, remote back office and business support to companies that require expert services, helping them to increase their efficiency and productivity whilst reducing their costs.

This is the perfect solution for businesses that need support and assistance with administration or projects, but do not want to employ additional staff. The flexibility I offer as a SmartPA means businesses can scale my support, depending upon their requirements – ensuring they never pay more than they need.

What do you love most about running your own business?

What I love most about this new self-employed role is using my experience to work on a diverse range of projects or tasks – no two days are the same! My role varies with each client and includes general office administration, marketing, producing newsletters, brochures, arranging advertising, updating websites and working on research and projects – all from my home office! 

It’s interesting and rewarding working with a number of different businesses. I’m so pleased I made the decision to go ahead and become a SmartPA partner. It allows me to follow my ambition of delivering a high quality and efficient service with the backing of an established brand.

What do you see the future holding for SmartPA?

SmartPA offers back office support to business communities around the world. The company has a wider initiative to help women get back to work. They have pledged to get 25,000 women in the UK back to work over the next three years through technology and training – notably through SmartPA Home.

Users can enjoy bypassing the increasing costs of childcare and travel, alongside a better work/life balance. It’s really exciting being part of a forward thinking and rapidly growing organisation. When it comes to helping businesses become more efficient, I can help in other ways – I’m also a Director at Worth Energy Solutions, an independent Colchester based consultancy headed up by Garry Worthington, specialising in energy, environmental management and associated support services. Having spent a number of years in the energy efficiency industry I can also help your business reduce its energy use and improve its environmental footprint.