Former Cinderella assistant director Hannah Roose is enjoying creating her own story after enjoying success following the launch of The VAE.
Hannah talks openly about imposter syndrome, although the awards on her mantelpiece suggest she absolutely belongs in the sphere in which her business operates.
After taking a break from the film industry and following a spell working for surf camps around the world, Hannah set up The Virtual Assistant Experience during lockdown in 2021.
Now known as The VAE - a boutique, multi-level creative agency.
Twelve months later, she won the 2022 rising star trophy at the Wales StartUp Awards and the best boutique virtual creative agency at the British Made Awards.
Superfast Business Wales supported Hannah in her quest for awards success, as the entrepreneur developed the business into a creative agency and rebranded as The VAE, which offers services under four pillars – creative, executive, virtual assistance, and T.VAE films.
Hannah said: “I decided to completely rebrand from a feminine and quite juvenile look, which served me well at the time, to a more mature and professional style.
“Superfast Business Wales provided valuable reassurance around my business and marketing plans.
“In addition, I set up the Trusted VA programme, which creates a pool of people and organisations The VAE trust to produce high-quality work and who share the same professional ethos and values.
“Superfast Business Wales signposted me to assistance, including Rocket Lawyer, which offers access to free legal documents and affordable advice, and Teachable, where you can create an online course or coaching business.
“It was also great to get some positive feedback from Superfast Business Wales after a website review about the improvements I’d made and the impact of the website and my social presence.
“Advice around linking my social accounts – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest – to my website has seen my followers and interactions increase as the suggestions, which included starting a blog, have helped search engine optimisation (SEO) and ensured more business exposure.
“I took the plunge on TikTok and told my story for three minutes. It was viewed by 12,500 people and I gained 650 followers in the space of a week.
“I’ve also received messages about how inspiring it was, and the goal is to educate the audience I’ve attracted through this platform.”
Hannah knows she needs to pluck up the courage to be back in front of the camera on a regular basis for her TikTok account to achieve the levels required, despite her struggles with mental health since breaking into the television and film industry as a teenager.
“I started out presenting at just 16,” said Hannah. “But I quickly realised that I didn’t want or like being in front of the camera.
“I went behind the camera and worked in various roles on Hollywood films such as Batman, The Dark Knight Rises, and Harry Potter, as well as television programmes including EastEnders, Midsomer Murders, and a Kyle Minogue music video.
“It was often a negative and tough environment to navigate, but I want to help be the change to the TV and film industry through T.VAE films production house, which is seeing plenty of movement with exciting high-end projects on the horizon that should provide cast and crew in the North Wales area.
“I’ve also partnered with leading London crew talent agency, Loop Talent.”
Setting up the production house arm of The VAE has seen Hannah’s working life come full circle, and it’s certainly been an eventful journey getting to this stage.
After leaving the film and TV industry, she worked in surf camps as a social media manager in the likes of Bali, Australia, and France, before a stint as an operations manager at a travel company saw her develop a love affair with North Wales.
She continued: “On each excursion to North Wales I thought ‘why don’t I live here?’ It was only when I’d lost my job and house during covid and went to stay at a family member’s holiday home on the West Shore in Llandudno.
“I didn’t know anyone and so I would talk to the sheep and goats as I walked the Great Orme every day. It saved my life.
“It was then I decided to do something about my work situation and, after speaking with a work coach, it seemed I had all the skills and experience to be a virtual assistant.
“From there Business Wales and Superfast Business Wales have played important roles in getting my company up and running in the first instance.
“I’ve worked with them on the business plan, too. With the new services and offering, it’s vital we have a strong online presence in the search results, as well as the trust and authority to back it up.”
Hannah is also keen to pass on her expertise, offering a workshop titled ‘Introduction To Business Start Up And Becoming A Virtual Assistant’.
She added: “I have devised this for anyone wanting to set up their own business. It covers everything from legal practice to how to build a website and setting up social media.”
Based on previous successes, it’s likely The VAE and all it entails, which is the sequel to The Virtual Assistant Experience, is just as much a hit with clients and awards judges.
See more business success stories