After years of excelling in professional corporate roles, Worcester-based entrepreneur Samantha (Sam) Launchbury decided it was time for a change. Motivated by a desire for greater flexibility and a healthier work-life balance, Sam drew inspiration from the wealth of resources offered by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to budding entrepreneurs.

Her vision led to the creation of Severnside Virtual Assistant, a dynamic start-up dedicated to providing virtual business support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. As one of the many success stories nurtured by WCC’s Enterprising Worcestershire initiative, Sam’s journey highlights the impact of local business support on turning aspirations into thriving enterprises.

The journey to entrepreneurship 

Sam’s entrepreneurial journey began after attending a Business Start-up Essentials event at The Hive in Worcester, run by the Worcestershire Libraries’ Business Information and Support Centre (BIPC). The short talk highlighted information available for people who are thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed. Sam discovered valuable resources such as business research tools and other support available to her.  Inspired, she signed up for Enterprising Worcestershire’s Start-It Business Masterclass designed by Worcestershire County Council and delivered by Peter Daniel of Rock Solid Consulting. The programme gave Sam the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to take her business idea forward, proving to be a pivotal step in her journey. 

“More than anything else it gave me confidence,” Sam says. “Taking the leap into self-employment felt like a massive step after years of working for large organisations, but I now feel like I have the support and the knowledge to do it.” The programme not only provided her with a deep understanding of the practicalities of setting up a business but also helped her build the belief that she could succeed."

A growing network of support 

Sam has continued to make the most of the resources available to start-ups across Worcestershire. A particularly valuable opportunity came through the Worcestershire Growth Hub, where she discovered Skills Bootcamps which are available to support self-employed adults as well as employers who are looking to reskill or upskill staff. Wanting to refine and upskill her Tech and Digital skills, Sam signed up for the Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp pathway, run by The Development Manager Ltd (TDM).  

“I’m about 3 to 4 weeks into the Digital Marketing Bootcamp and am absolutely loving the course. It’s already helping me build a strong, practical foundation in topics such as content strategy, social media marketing, SEO, and so on. I want to understand not just what to do, but why and how to do it” explains Sam. 

Combined with the guidance she gained from the Start-It Business Masterclass back in October 2024, Sam feels more empowered than ever to launch her virtual assistant business. She’s already applying her newfound knowledge to create a content strategy and social media plan for Severnside Virtual Assistant, which is set to launch in January 2025. 

“Everything is coming together beautifully, I truly believe that once you take that first step, the path appears. The way starts to open up when you take action to pursue your goals.”

Severnside Virtual Assistant: The business model 

Severnside Virtual Assistant is designed to offer virtual business support to small companies, particularly those that are just starting to grow and scale. Sam’s background in project management and digital innovation gives her a unique edge in offering support tailored to the needs of small businesses. Her services focus on three key areas: organise, create, and manage – helping businesses with administrative tasks, content creation, and ongoing management to keep their operations running smoothly. 

For instance, Sam can assist small companies with preparing and submitting proposals and bids, organising internal workflows, creating documents, or developing and coordinating project plans. Her expertise in digital tools and project management ensures that clients receive professional, high-quality support that helps them scale effectively. 

The power of support systems 

Sam’s journey highlights the invaluable role that support systems play for early-stage entrepreneurs. The Start-It Business Masterclass provided the perfect foundation, and the ongoing resources offered by BIPC Worcestershire—such as webinars and expert advice—have been crucial to her success. 

“The support has been incredible,” Sam reflects. “I’ve tapped into so many resources I didn’t even know existed, and they’ve all helped me build my business step by step.” 

With her business, Severnside Virtual Assistant, set to launch in January 2025, Sam is eager to offer the same kind of support to her clients that has helped her succeed. She’s excited about the opportunities ahead and the potential growth of her business. 

Looking ahead 

Looking to the future, Sam remains committed to continuing her learning journey. She plans to keep utilising resources like the Skills Bootcamps to expand her knowledge and stay at the forefront of tech and digital skills. Sam encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the training, tools, and advice available in Worcestershire. 

“My journey as an entrepreneur is just beginning,” Sam says. “But it’s been such an exciting, empowering experience so far. I’m confident that, with the right support, anyone can take the leap and make their business dreams a reality.” 

The Enterprising Worcestershire grants programme offers a variety of support options to enable start-up and early-stage enterprises to develop and thrive. The support includes start-up workshops, business coaching, mentorship, and grant funding to help take your business ideas to the next level. To learn more about Skills Bootcamps and other support available for entrepreneurs in Worcestershire, visit Worcestershire Careers Skills Bootcamps.