What does it mean to build a business around the way you actually want to work? In this episode of Shaping the North East, Chris is joined by Maya Vertigans, founder of Planner Bee V.A Services, an Aberdeen-based virtual assistant business built around a remote-first approach to work.

Maya shares the story behind starting Planner Bee, her ambition to become an entrepreneur and the process of creating a business from the ground up. We talk about what it takes to move away from the traditional 9–5 working environment and create something that better reflects your own values, personality and ambitions.

We also explore Maya’s passion for ethical and sustainable business practices, why Planner Bee has deliberately chosen to operate remotely rather than from a physical office, and the advantages (and challenges) that come with running a modern virtual assistant business.

Our conversation also takes a more personal turn as Maya talks about her own journey of self-discovery. From attending university in a big city to realising that she may be more introverted than she once thought, we discuss how understanding yourself can influence the way you work, the businesses you create and the life you want to build around them.

And, of course, we look ahead. Maya talks about the future of Planner Bee V.A Services, her ambitions for growing the business and what comes next as she continues to shape her own path as an entrepreneur in Aberdeen.

Find out more about Planner Bee V.A Services:

https://plannerbeeva.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/plannerbeeva

https://www.facebook.com/plannerbeeva

https://www.linkedin.com/company/planner-bee-va/

Connect with Maya:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-vertigans/

Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the region’s next chapter. From entrepreneurs and creatives to businesses, community projects and the people working to make a difference, each episode tells the stories behind the people and ideas shaping the North East of Scotland.