KEELEY SMITH | VIRTUAL BUSINESS SUPPORT

Are you really a lawyer?

I get asked this question from time to time….

I qualified as a lawyer but I’m not currently a practicing one.

I did my undergraduate degree in law from 2010 to 2013 at the University of Birmingham leaving with a 2:1!

I completed a summer vacation scheme in 2012, which led to my training contract offer and securing a place to start in 2014.

I completed my legal practice course from 2013 to 2015 and was awarded a distinction.

I then went on to complete my training contract from 2014 to 2016 where I did seats in banking (I think I still have PTSD from that experience), real estate, commercial and employment.

I qualified as a lawyer and was admitted to the roll of solcitors in 2016. The admission ceremony will always be one of the proudest moments of my life.

When you qualify you are issued with a practicing certificate, which is then renewed annually.

I started an NQ role as a commercial lawyer specialising in commercial contracts and data protection.

There’s only so many subject access requests a girl can handle, so I switched things up and became an employment lawyer.

I then became a grown up. I got married and stopped being a Baker and became a Smith. Next thing we knew babies were coming along!

I had Lola is 2020 and was promoted to Associate whilst on maternity leave.

We blinked and 3 became 4 with Iliana joining the Smith family in 2022.

I made the difficult decision to leave private practice towards the end of 2023 for a better family life.

We paused our life, packed our bags and travelled the world for 6 months.

I took a leap of faith and used this time to get the business off the ground.

So I qualified as a lawyer but I don’t currently hold a practicing certificate.

I am on the roll of solicitors, so you can fact check me on the SRA!

Exciting news, I’m officially back on the Roll of Solicitors!

What does that mean?

I’m a non-practising solicitor, so:

☑️I don’t offer legal advice in the traditional solicitor-client way.
☑️ I don’t currently have a practicing certificate (I wish to make that very clear after my chat with the SRA ethics team, when I double-checked I was all good to proceed with my services on this basis 🤣 p.s. I always had a bit of a fear of the SRA when I was in practice but they were so helpful if you ever need to contact them!).

Instead, I use my legal qualifications and training and business management experience to support business owners to run your business smarter and safer.

Whether it’s contracts, policies, compliance or streamlining and managing your operations and projects (think systems and strategy), then I’ve got your back.

This is a big step in aligning my values, qualifications and the high-quality support I provide to clients.

Let’s grow your business with confidence.

I was often referred to as a ‘safe pair of hands’ in private practice 🙌🏻

It’s good to know you are trusted to deliver results.

But there’s just a lacklustre undertone to it, isn’t there?

I want clients to see me as reliable.

But I also want to make sure I’m recognised as…

…someone who is passionate and adds value.

I truly want to help you find balance in your business with tailored solutions to suit you.

…someone who is approachable.

I listen. I take the time to understand because I care about you and your business - no stuffy lawyer here!

…someone who works damn hard with you to achieve your goals.

It’s just an epic feeling helping a client to succeed.

So I can live with being a ‘safe pair of hands’ but it’s not what defines me.

I’ve loved spending some wonderful quality time with the girls over half-term ❤️

We spent a long weekend in Kotor
We had egg hunts and Easter activities
We had a big sleepover with the cousins

But some days have been hard.

There’s been the juggle of trying to work where I can and keeping the little ones content.

I’m looking forward to having some structure back in our lives from Monday.

But that’s why I love working for myself now.

It was easy to schedule my work for the month to allow me to work less over these two weeks.

Having that flexibility is just invaluable as a working parent.

I’ll never take it for granted.

Are you stressing about your T&Cs?

Do you just have no idea where you start?

Do you wonder if you even need them for your business?

I’ve seen lots of sets of T&Cs over the years. The good, the bad and the ugly. Even the downright scary.

The truth is that legally you don’t need a contract.

Lots of businesses operate without T&Cs in place and they’re fine.

Until something goes wrong…

Then they’re (likely) screwed!

If you choose to run your business without T&Cs, you are creating risk. Avoidable risk.

In an ideal world, you never look at a contract again after it’s signed.

It’s all good when everything is smooth sailing.

But every now and then there can be bumps along the way.

Or you might just have a d*ckhead client.

One always comes along eventually.

That’s when you want to know you have a contract to fall back on.

You want the security of having robust T&Cs in place to protect your business.

So invest in a good set of T&Cs.

And whatever you do, don’t use ChatGPT to draft them for you.

Happy Easter 🐣

We’ll be spending it with family watching the girls hunt for eggs and indulge in far too much chocolate.

Wishing you all a wonderful time with loved ones and hoping you’re not returning to too many emails in your inbox after the BH weekend.

We all deserve a break and some well-earned rest from time to time 💛

I used to think I could never be a partner in a law firm.

I had the brains but I worried that I didn’t have the “right” background.

How would I win clients?

How would I generate work?

How would I make those types of connections?

Imposter syndrome is real.

It plagued me my entire legal career.

Then I built a business out of nothing. Whilst I travelled the world and prioritised my family.

I won clients. I generated work. I made those types of connections.

Turns out I’m not too shabby at any of the above when I’m being my authentic self.

Finding a space where I’m comfortable being me - truly me - has changed everything.

Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support is growing at a wonderful (albeit slightly terrifying!) rate.

Our revenue has increased 285% compared to this time last year.

Little old me is very proud and excited about the future.

In fact, I wish I could go back and give the old me a really big hug.

We’re back from a fab weekend in Kotor 🇲🇪

We had the most amazing time.

In corporate private practice, there’s a toxic culture where you’re only really considered to be working hard or enough, the more hours you work.

If you’re efficient it doesn’t matter. You’ll only be noted if you’re burning the midnight oil.

If you have other commitments you value outside of work, then sucks to be you trying to fit those in and progress in your career.

After nearly a decade of being on that wheel, I prioritise work-life balance above all now.

I still work hard but I value how precious time is.

I’ll never get it back.

I do things for myself.

I spend quality time with my family.

I take the trip!

And my word does it feel bloody good ❤️

Are you an employer?

Ever wonder why having employment policies in place is so important for your business?

💥 They’re the backbone of your business’ culture.
💥 They provide clarity and consistency for everyone on board by setting out clear expectations about behaviour and performance.
💥 They allow you to carry out your HR responsibilities effectively.
💥 They help you meet your legal duties for compliance with employment law to avoid legal disputes.
💥 There are certain written policies that you must have in place by law.

Employment polices might seem a “nice to have” but some are non-negotiable.

Be sure to put in place effective policies to set the standards in your workplace and build a healthy culture.

My out of office is now on ☀️

We’re heading to Kotor for a long weekend.

I can’t wait! It’s been on the list for ages.

I’m officially back online on Tuesday 15th April but it’s half term and Easter bank holiday weekend 😱

I’ll be juggling business and mom life in full force, so I will have reduced working hours and response times may be a little longer than usual.

Normal service will resume on Monday 28th April.

Thanks for your understanding and to all the fellow parents out there… we’ve got this! 💪

See you on the other side 🫡

Running a business (even a small one) while raising little ones is no small feat.

For me, it’s a daily juggle of school runs, client calls, and contracts.

I know firsthand how challenging and rewarding it is to be building something meaningful while balancing motherhood.

It’s why Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support exists!

I appreciate how important it is for business owners to be able to:

✅ Navigate legals and compliance without overwhelm.
✅ Take control of business management without sacrificing time.

Because let’s face it, we already have enough on our plate.

So many of my clients are women and mothers carving their own path.

I’m in awe of them and I feel so privileged to work with such inspiring, talented people.

Q2 is looking busy.

We’ve had a few new enquiries land over the last couple of weeks.

Two have been onboarded as clients 🥳
One we were misaligned on the scope of work and budget 🚫
One availability didn’t align for April so we’re in discussions about May 📆
One is still in early stages about how we can provide support 🤝

It’s wild to think that this time last year, we were travelling Asia.

We were in Vietnam with dodgy internet and power outages.

I was trying to get the business off the ground. Knowing we would return home in the future and worried about if this would work longer term.

Fastforward to now and Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support is thriving and supported by a small team.

Exiting times ahead.

April let’s go 💪🏻

Happy Birthday to Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support’s biggest hype man 🥳

Running a small business while juggling life and motherhood isn’t always easy, but doing it with James by my side makes all the difference.

From listening to my endless ideas to celebrating my wins (big and small), his support means everything.

He always believes in me and reminds me why I started this journey in the first place when I need to hear it.

Hype Man by day, wonderful husband (mostly) always. I couldn’t do this without him!

When was the last time you actually looked at your website? Be honest.

We all know first impressions matter, so is your website making the right one?

✅ Are all your links and buttons working?
✅ Is your copy typo-free and grammatically sound?
✅ Do you have all the legal documents required by law?
✅ Is it GDPR compliant and handling cookies correctly?

Look, I get it! Legals aren’t the most exciting part of running a business. But they do matter.

Don’t forget that your website is a reflection of your professionalism and credibility.

As a former (slightly obsessive) lawyer, attention to detail is my thing, so you can be sure I’ve got you covered, both on the legals and the little things that make a big difference.

🚨 Bad news: My retainer spots are fully booked.

🎉 Good news: I’m still taking on projects like website reviews!

If you want to make sure your website is legally sound and sharp for 2025, feel free to get in touch to learn more about our website review services and legal document bundles.

Happy Mother’s Day 💕

Before becoming a mom, I thought I understood hard work.

Motherhood showed me a whole new level.

When I left private practice, it wasn’t because I lost ambition.

It was because I gained a new purpose.

One that included building a business on my own terms.

Where I could support other business owners while being present for my girls.

But let’s be real...

Some days, it’s still a balancing act that feels impossible.

The guilt of feeling like you’re never doing enough.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I’ve learned: You ARE enough.

I often need to remind myself that I’m not just building a business.

I’m creating a life that works for me and my family.

I’m raising my coffee this morning to all the moms out there doing their best, chasing their dreams and showing their kids what’s possible.

Happy Mother’s Day to the women making it all work 💐💕

Social media block is a real thing.

I used to be so consisent but I’ve really struggled the last couple of months.

Work is busy and I’m fully booked other than for adhoc projects.

There just doesn’t seem to be enough time.

If I do find time, then it’s like my mind goes blank when I try to sit down and share something meaningful about my business, my journey or even life in general.

It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to “post, post, post” and share all the tips, tricks and behind-the-scenes.

I’m trying to remember it’s better to be sharing from a place of purpose rather than just filling the content calendar.

Do you ever feel this way with social media?

How do you overcome it?

We hit a lovely milestone of 500 followers recently 🥳

Running a business while raising little ones is no small feat.

It’s a daily juggle of contracts and client calls mixed with school runs and making a 1,000 snacks.

We know firsthand how challenging and rewarding it is to build something meaningful while balancing motherhood.

That’s why Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support exists!

It is so important for business owners to be able to navigate their legals and take control of business management without the overwhelm.

Thank you so much for allowing us to support you on your journey. We couldn’t be more grateful.

What’s next? We’re just getting started! More expert tips and real talk about the work-life balance struggle are on the way.

Tell us! What’s one legal or business challenge (or working parent struggle!) you’d love more guidance on? Drop it in the comments or send us a DM.

Thank you for trusting us to help your business grow and get compliant.

Here’s to the next 500 🥂

A Day in the Life of A Legal & Business Services Provider

Come behind the scenes with me to see what I get up to day to day:

✅ Drafting & reviewing contracts
✅ Managing business operations & projects
✅ Helping startups & small businesses grow with confidence

My days are full with making businesses run smoother and more securely and taking the stress out of the legal and strategic side of things, so my clients can focus on what they do best!

When was the last time you checked your email footer?

It might seem like a small detail but did you know that missing key information could put your business at risk of non-compliance?

If you’re sending business emails—especially to clients or customers—you need to make sure your footer includes the right details.

Failing to include certain information could mean you’re in breach of legal requirements like GDPR and company law.

No one wants a £1,000 fine!

If you’re unsure whether yours is compliant, I can help!

Drop a comment or DM me ✉️

As a small business owner and a mom, it’s so easy to put myself last 👎🏻

There’s always another email to send, another task to complete, another thing waiting on the to-do list.

And let’s not even start on the mom guilt of taking time away from family!

But I know that I can’t pour from an empty cup.

So in January I made a commitment to myself to get back to Zumba at least once a week.

Other than a couple of absences for illness and holiday, I’ve stuck with it.

Now the local town hall isn’t the most glamorous of settings.

But it’s one hour where I’m not thinking about work, deadlines or what’s for dinner.

I know that if I want to show up fully for my family and my clients, I need to show up for myself too.

What do you do just for YOU each week?

I’m so grateful to work with incredible business owners who are committed to setting their businesses up for long-term success.

Recently, I’ve been working with a client to firm up their legal documentation and processes, including:

✅ setting up engagement letters & terms of business
✅ putting in place a solid framework for AML compliance
✅ ensuring clear, structured processes and systems for CRM to ensure smooth operations

Here’s what they had to say ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For many small businesses, legal documents and compliance can feel overwhelming, but having the right protections in place is a game-changer.

It’s @internationalwomensday_global

A few years ago, I was deep in the world of private practice.

Long hours, high pressure and little flexibility.

Then, life changed. I became a mom!

Motherhood shifted my priorities.

I realised that success didn’t have to mean choosing between a fulfilling career and being present for my family.

So, I took the leap. I quit.

I built a business that allows me to use my legal expertise and strategic skills to support other small business owners - especially other women - while working on my own terms.

💡 Because women shouldn’t have to choose between ambition and family.
💡 Because flexibility and success can go hand in hand.
💡 Because when women support each other in our choices, we ALL rise.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the women carving their own paths — whether that’s a high flying career, you’re running a business, raising a family, chasing a dream — I see you.

Keep going. Keep building. Keep creating a life that works for YOU 💜

#iwd2025 #womeninbusiness #mompreneur #femalefounder

I’ve felt a bit stuck lately…

I keep setting aside time for “CEO afternoons” to work on the business but nothing happens.

I stare at a blank screen.

I find myself questioning things.

Am I on the right path?

Is this business heading in the direction I truly want?

Am I still aligned with the reason I started?

I’ve found it harder to be consistent with marketing and social media.

I know that feeling stuck doesn’t mean failure.

But it is a sign to pause, reflect and realign.

I’m taking a step back to ask:

✔️ What do I love most about my business?
✔️ What no longer excites me?
✔️ What do I want more (or less) of?

Have you ever felt stuck in your business?

How did you move forward?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Why not show your website some love this year ❤️

If you’re honest, when was the last time you looked at your website.

I know the legals are boring but they matter!

Are you sure it has all the information required by law?

Does it have all of the required legal documents?

Is it GDPR compliant?

Do you deal with cookies correctly?

Your website is the first time a client can get to know you. If we’re being real, we all know that first impressions count!

Are you sure there are no rogue typos?

Do all of your links and buttons work?

Is your copy grammatically correct?

As a former anal lawyer attention to detail is my thing! You can also be confident that I have you covered on the legals too 🙌🏻

The bad news for you is that I’m fully booked for retainers 😭

The good news for you is that I’m still taking on projects like website reviews 🥳

If you want to make sure your website is up to scratch for 2025, then get in touch for more information about our website review services and website legal document bundles.

Struggling to keep up with the demands of your business?

As a business owner, your time is precious. You’ve reached the point where you need support but hiring an employee isn’t the right move.

That’s where Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support comes in!

✅ Not sure where to start?
✅ Feeling overwhelmed?
✅ Drowning in a never-ending to-do list?

We provide expert legal and operations support, helping you protect your business, streamline processes and free up your time so you can focus on growth.

Let us be the extra pair of hands your business needs 🙌🏻

#businesssupport #legalsupport #smallbusinesssupport #freelancer #legalconsultants

It’s Data Protection Day🔒

I’m celebrating with a GDPR webinar later.
All the glamour.

Today is unlikely to be the highlight of your year…

BUT

…it is a good time to remind small businesses that they do need to be thinking about data protection.

🏆 Easy win - Make sure you’re registered with the ICO and pay the fee.

📄 Essential docs - Put in place your privacy policies (think website, client facing, employees etc).

💻 Free resources - The ICO has tonnes of advice to help navigate compliance on its website.

For more info, feel free to check out my blog:

https://www.keeleysmithva.com/post/getting-started-with-data-protection-a-small-business-guide-to-compliance

#businesssupport #freelancer #legalconsultant #legaltemplates #gdprcompliance #dataprotection #smallbusiness

🔵 It’s Blue Monday 🔵

It’s supposedly the most depressing day of the year.

After giving up on dry Jan on Friday and spending all of the weekend decorating, I have a touch of the blues myself today.

It can’t be denied that January can be pretty miserable.

If the January gloom is taking its toll on you, then prioritise yourself today and take some time to indulge in some self-care ☕️ 🛁 📖.

It’s a new day and a new week.

A new opportunity for something special to happen.

We’ve got this 💪🏻

The return to work did not go to plan last week…

We had a restful Christmas break with so many lie ins and lazy starts 💤

It wasn’t that long ago that my days started at 5am due to the kids rising early and I thought I’d never sleep again!

I was feeling recharged and motivated to get back into work 💪🏻

I even blocked out my first “CEO afternoon” of the year to work on the business this week but the kids had other plans...

We started the week with the youngest having a sickness bug and now the eldest has been struck down by the plague and is off school.

Thank god for the flexibility I have now so I can be here for them and make it work around the little ones.

I let one of my clients know my availability will be different this week and they said “family always comes first”.

I really do work with the best.

Thinking of all the parents navigating the return to school and work 🫶

#workingparent #legalconsultant #freelancer #businesssupport #mompreneur

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to ensure your business is set up for success and protected.

One of the most effective ways to safeguard your business is with robust contracts and policies.

Having the right documents in place can save you from legal headaches down the line.

We can provide template contracts and documents that are:
✨ Easy to use and understand
✨ Tailored to your business needs
✨ Set up to protect your time, money and reputation

Starting the year with the right legal foundations can help you feel confident and focus on growing your business without worry.

📩 Ready to get your business protected?

DM us or click the link in bio to learn more about our legal support services!

Let’s make 2025 your most successful year yet! 💼

#SmallBusinessSupport #FreelancerServices #LegalTemplates #BusinessGrowth #newyeargoals

I went into 2024 winging it!

We had packed up ready to set off travelling Asia in Jan without much of a plan 🗺️

I was sad and a little lost.

I knew I wanted time to heal after PND.

I knew I wanted my life to be different.

I needed to figure out what that looked like for me.

Fast forward to 2025 and I couldn’t be starting the year more differently:

✨ I’m feeling myself again

✨ I’m running a small business, which gives me time for me and my family (no soul selling involved!)

✨ I actually have some small goals that I want to achieve this year 💪🏻

Personal goals:

☑️ Read for pleasure 📚

☑️ Move more. Photo from a very wintery walk to get those steps in🚶‍♀️

☑️ See new places ✈️

Professional goals:

☑️ Say no more ✋🏻

☑️ Protect the work-life balance ⚖️

☑️ Work on the business, not just in it 💻

What are your goals for 2025?

#legalconsultant #freelancer #businesssupport #virtualassistant #newyeargoals

Happy New Year from Keeley | Smith Virtual Business Support!

Wishing you all happiness, health and success in 2025.

Here’s to New Beginnings 🥂

#happynewyear #2025 #freelancers #businesssupport

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support 🥂

#merrychristmas #happynewyear #2024 #freelancer #legalconsultant #businesssupport

Happy Christmas Eve Eve 🎄

There’s something truly magical about this time of year with little ones!

Feeling very grateful that I get to take this time out from work to spend quality time with my family over the Christmas period ❤️

I’m already 50% cheese, 25% red wine and 25% quality street. Just bliss!

#freelancerlife #christmaseveeve🎄 #christmasshutdown #businesssupport

My out of office is officially ON! Pass me a baileys and a mince pie 🎄

I’m officially away from my desk for a well-deserved festive break with the family. I’ll be out of office from 20 December to 2 January.

I’ll be back in the New Year (hopefully) feeling refreshed and ready to dive into your contracts, policies, content and all things business!

Thank you to all my amazing clients for making this year one to remember. It’s been a pleasure helping you get compliant, create content and keep your businesses running smoothly 🫶

Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in 2025 🎉

#OutOfOffice #ChristmasBreak #FreelancerLife #BusinessSupport #legalconsultant

Christmas party vibes when you’re self-employed:

I have no colleagues, so it was just me and my husband in the local pub with a bottle of fizz on Saturday 🎄❤️

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

No awkward office small talk with Dave from accounts here.

Cheers to all the small biz owners, freelancers and consultants celebrating for themselves this year!

You deserve it 🥂

#FreelancerLife #SelfEmployedChristmas #smallbizowner

It may be the weekend but I’ve been working since 5.30am 💤

It was the same yesterday.

I’m squeezing in extra work where I can whilst everyone snoozes.

Being fully booked is not something I take for granted.

I know what a blessing it is to not have to worry about where I’ll find the next project right now🤞🏻

But fitting one month’s worth of work into the 3 working weeks before I close for Christmas has meant some unavoidable early starts and long days!

Its a good reminder for me that I’m still only a year into working for myself and learning all the time.

Note for next year: prorate client retainers in December to still be able to sleep and make the most of the festive season🎄

The girls will be up soon and then normal weekend life will resume.

They’re a great age for Christmas this year!

In fact the youngest loves it so much that she refused to remove her Christmas jumper and wore it for 3 days straight (photo of said jumper).

#freelancer #legalconsultant #businesssupport #worklifebalance

Over the weekend, we braved Storm Darragh for a trip to see Santa on the Severn Valley Railway 🚂

Does anyone else feel like time is speeding up in December? I almost feel like I’m running out of time to do everything that needs to be done, which can be overwhelming at times!

We’re hosting this year so there’s lots going on behind the scenes in the Smith household and work is currently busier than ever with us trying to meet all client needs and deadlines before everyone breaks up for Christmas.

We’ve been passing ships at home lately too, with my husband deep in ‘silly season’ at work, so it felt extra special to take some time out to do something as a family, make some memories and focus on what’s truly important. The girls are at such a lovely age this year too - it really does add some Christmas magic 🎅🏻 ✨

We’re all feeling festive now and ready for the big man (despite the battering wind, torrential rain and the fact it took us 3 hours to get home due to fallen trees in the road!).

Only two full working weeks to go - we’ve got this 💪🏻

#santa #freelancer #legalconsultant #smallbusinesssupport #christmascheer

We’ll be ‘wrapping’ up for Christmas soon 🎁 🎄

The big day is fast approaching and we wanted to update you that Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support will be closed for the festive period.

We hope to spend some quality time with loved ones so our last working day will be Friday 20th December.

We will reopen on Thursday 2nd January.

Wishing you all the joy this festive season 🥂

#legalconsultant #freelancer #businesssupport #christmasshutdown

It’s the first week of December, the tree is up and I already feel like a pig in a blanket 🐷

Working from home has so many benefits but it also makes it a little too easy to hibernate when the winter comes.

I seem to have given up walking the kids to school in favour of driving on cold mornings and being at my desk most of the day means my step count is subpar and the amount I’m moving is not okay.

The good news is that I’m aware of it and I can make it a priority to carve some time out for myself each week before Christmas to help me feel better! I would say help me feel at my best but I’m not that optimistic as it’s still silly season and I do not have the will power or inclination to say no to cheese, red wine and the occasional baileys hot chocolate 🫣 🧀 🍷

Do your usual habits change around this time? How do you stay on track?

#workingfromhome #freelancer #legalconsultant #routine

Are you wearing all hats?! 🎩 🧢 👒

As a small business, we really do understand how hard it can be trying to do it all.

It’s so important for your wellbeing to try and let go of the responsibilities you can delegate.

No one can be a master of all trades and that’s okay!

Often it’s cheaper and more time-effective to delegate certain tasks and responsibilities, particularly specialist areas like compliance and contracts. It also boosts productivity as you can focus on what you do best and dedicate time to business growth.

Delegating isn’t easy; it takes trust and it’s a skill to be practiced. Remember, the goal is not just to handover tasks and projects but to truly collaborate with one another to support in achieving your goals!

#freelancer #smallbusinesssupport #legalconsultant #contractsandcompliance

Have you ever felt imposter syndrome 💭?

I used to struggle with it when I first started freelancing. There are so many talented people out there trying to earn a living flexibly providing similar services to one another. Who’d want to work with me?

But actually I now know that being “me” (or “you”) is what sets us apart!

We can’t be everyone’s cup of tea but the magic happens with clients when…

…our values, interests and work ethics are aligned.
…they feel that I am a part of their team and can see I’m invested in their business and add value.
…I make them feel comfortable enough to share their ideas, goals and even worries with me.

It takes a lot of trust.

So who am I?!

- I’m a Mom currently navigating parenting two strong willed small humans.
- I’m a small business owner. Work life balance is so important to me and I love that freelancing gives me the flexibility to work when, where, how I want.
- I LOVE to travel. We spent 6 months travelling Asia as a family this year. 47 countries and counting!
- I used to be a practising lawyer & spent nearly a decade at a top commercial law firm.
- I should probably pretend I have a fitness regime or self-care plan but I really indulge in red wine, watch Netflix on the sofa (if I can get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour and don’t fall asleep doing bedtime) and steal the kids sweets when they’re distracted by YouTube kids.

What type of person do you want on your team? What values are important to you? 👭

#freelancer #legalconsultant #businesssupportservices #supportforsmallbusiness

Do you subcontract any work? Do you have agreements in place with your subcontractors 🤔?

A client came to me a couple of weeks ago, as they are subcontracting more and more work but had no written agreements in place. They were concious about tax liability and the need for confidentiality provisions.

Agreements with your subcontractors are a must-have to protect your business 📑

They outline expectations, from scope of work to payment terms, to avoid any uncertainty about what has been agreed.

They clearly set out the relationship between the parties and the fact that they are an independent contractor for tax and employment status purposes (not an employee!).

They also deal with confidentiality, intellectual property rights and GDPR compliance to give you peace of mind.

I helped this client draft a robust template subcontractor agreement that can be rolled out to existing and new subcontractors going forward.

Don’t leave yourself exposed... If you haven’t already, then get your agreements in place with your subcontractors! ✍️

#freelancer #legalconsultant #subcontractors #subcontractoragreements #templatecontracts

Do you do what you love ? Do you love what you do?

I’ve gone on this year about how freelancing has given me the freedom to spend my time how I want and doing what I love - travelling!

Whilst we did have an epic time exploring Asia for 6 months, our reality is very different now that we’re back home “to the grind”. Only work doesn’t feel like a grind now. The balance is just different.

In some ways flexibility is more important than ever for me but it’s for the little things…

- doing the school runs
- taking Friday afternoons off on a whim for Fizz Friday with my mom and sister
- not having a mental breakdown about how I’m going to work when I get the call from the school or nursery that the kids are sick and need collecting
- catching up with friends and their little ones mid-week if we fancy it in and around work
- fitting life admin and chores into my working week rather than only tackling it on the weekends
- just going for a walk to stretch my legs and get away from my desk when I want

Having always been employed until last year, I truly appreciate this flexibility and how much easier it is now to fit actually living my life into my life!

If you feel like you don’t have enough time, then get some support so you can do more of what you love, even if it is just the little things 🫶.

#freelancerlife #legalconsultant #workingmomlife #businesssupport

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@keeleysmithva

"Delegation is not a sign of weakness, but of strength."

Steve Jobs

WELCOME

Hello and welcome to Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support!

Our purpose is to support start ups, business owners and entrepreneurs with contracts and compliance to help you make sure your business is protected and set up for success.

We also offer operations, content and project management services to support you with streamlining your business, freeing up your time to focus on achieving your business goals.

When we become part of your team, you can trust that you are in safe hands with our expert service offering.

Find Out More

"Keeley is an integral part of my team,

and I consider myself fortunate to be able to make use of her excellent skills and benefit from her wonderful personality"

Keeley Smith

Founder

Hi, I'm Keeley.

I'm a non-practising lawyer and mom to two wild little girls with a serious passion for travel - I've visited 47 countries and counting!

I spent nearly a decade as a lawyer at a top commercial law firm with experience in employment, commercial contracts and data protection.

My priorities changed when I started a family. It's important to me that I can be present for

who I love and do what I love,

so I stepped away from private practice.

We packed our bags and we travelled the world as a family for 6 months. There was no going back to the corporate world after that kind of freedom and so I founded Keeley Smith | Virtual Business Support in 2023. I now have a team of associates who support other

businesses and entrepreneurs.

I believe all business owners should have access to resources to protect and streamline their business no matter it's size. I utilize my legal experience to simplify contracts and compliance to help business owners put in place strong legal foundations to ensure they are protected and set up for success!

I also support with project management, operations, and content so that business owners can focus their time on doing what they do best.

When you work with me, you can take comfort from the fact I have a strong legal background but I'm not a stuffy lawyer and you won't have a hefty legal bill at the end.

If you want to make sure your business is protected and compliant or if you want to find out more about how I can free up your time by managing your projects and streamlining your operations so you can focus on your business growth, then get in touch.

Let's Get Started!