Poppins PA supports high achieving women reclaim their personal life and alleviates their headspace of all things that keep them awake at night and interrupts them throughout the day.
It brings the true essence of having a personal assistant alive, tailoring support to each person. Poppins PA has been created from a place of longing for each woman to realise why they do what they do, ensuring these women are supported as individuals in order for them to show up as their best selves professionally. Abigail, as the Founder has scooped up Mary Poppins and brought the concept into the modern day.
How did it all begin?
I became a PA in my early 20’s after unfortunately not completing my law degree. Being a lawyer wasn’t quite ‘lively’ enough for me. The biggest pivotal point was 8 years ago laying in the labour ward after having my third child. I was on maternity from a law firm I was currently working as a Legal PA at. I wasn’t happy. Our roles had changed and so much of the ‘personal’ aspect of the role had gone.
I missed working on personal properties plans and the odd email to builders and combining a Lawyers’ personal life with their work life, they worked long hours so I adored supporting them have any kind of outside life! I knew I didn’t want to go back and something had changed in me. After my 6 months return to work mandatory service was up, I resigned. I had been researching other avenues and had come across the term ‘virtual assistant’. That was it, it gave me the green light to carry on with what I loved but on my terms. Over the years that followed, I worked with sole practitioner Solicitors, Barristers, Property entrepreneurs and in the recent 5 years, I have niched down to the people I can truly relate to, ambitious and driven women!
I often say that Poppins PA has been created by taking all the parts of the previous jobs and I have put it all together!
I missed working on personal properties plans and the odd email to builders and combining a Lawyers’ personal life with their work life, they worked long hours so I adored supporting them have any kind of outside life! I knew I didn’t want to go back and something had changed in me. After my 6 months return to work mandatory service was up, I resigned. I had been researching other avenues and had come across the term ‘virtual assistant’. That was it, it gave me the green light to carry on with what I loved but on my terms. Over the years that followed, I worked with sole practitioner Solicitors, Barristers, Property entrepreneurs and in the recent 5 years, I have niched down to the people I can truly relate to, ambitious and driven women!
I often say that Poppins PA has been created by taking all the parts of the previous jobs and I have put it all together!
What sets your business apart?
Its in my DNA to work WITH someone and not FOR them. We put the human first, making sure they are personally organised and then slotting in of the professional life swiftly follows.
What is the concept behind your business or the problem you’re solving?
The ever sought out issue of blending personal and work lives!
Where to next/What is your brand vision?
I have so much ambition it can hurt sometimes!
I would like to be the ‘go-to’ for C-Suite women to use us to support them on their journeys, their next chapters, whether that is extending the family or stepping into the long awaited CEO from COO. I want to fully step out of client delivery so I can focus on business development and sharing my mission.
I would like to be the ‘go-to’ for C-Suite women to use us to support them on their journeys, their next chapters, whether that is extending the family or stepping into the long awaited CEO from COO. I want to fully step out of client delivery so I can focus on business development and sharing my mission.
Abigail Langridge
Founder of
Poppins PA
What do you feel passionate about/what drives you?
Supporting other women regain their personal lives whilst still achieving in their professional lives.
Share an example of early life that has shaped you?
Witnessing my parents divorce.
Highlights of your business journey so far?
Going to see Michael Bublé in a client’s 02 box.
Key lessons you have learned along the way?
Building relationships is key to everything in life.
Best piece of advice you have received?
Start building your network yesterday.
Advice to an aspiring entrepreneur or woman just starting her career?
Share with people what you do and why you are doing it.
What funding route have you chosen for your business and why?
I am totally self funded. I haven’t seen any other way!
Some of the challenges you have faced and how you overcame them?
I can get quite attached to a client, so when they depart from us, I can feel a sense of loss! I like to think they ‘graduate’ from us as we have got them to a place where they are of seamless living.
I am now slowly stepping away from client delivery and this helps me as I am not as client facing as I once was.
I am now slowly stepping away from client delivery and this helps me as I am not as client facing as I once was.
Why is it important to support women-led business?
Because we are part of changing the future narrative for our daughters. Slowly, we are showing them that there are many options available to them when they are older. Following their passions and building something they love is powerful and combining that with the possibility of having a family is incredibly empowering.
60
Seconds
with
Abigail Langridge
My inspiration is...
other women who have kept going.
My greatest fear is...
regret.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is...
running a marathon.
Guilty pleasure?
country music.
Mantra you live by?
I can.
Female role model?
Sara Blakely.
Women-led brand you love?
Spanx.
Top productivity tool?
pen and paper!
