I was named a VA of the Year 2026 Finalist at the Miss Jones Awards.

What a sentence.

What a way to start 2026.

Nine other incredible VAs. All doing brilliant work. And my name sitting there amongst them… just two years into running my own virtual assistant business.

You can see the full finalist list on the Miss Jones Awards website here.

I won’t lie. I was excited. Properly hopeful. Imagining the “what if”.

It wasn’t to be.

But honestly? Being a VA of the Year 2026 Finalist is tip top for me.

Because two years ago this business was just an idea, a laptop, and a slightly chaotic Google Drive folder.

The parent juggle behind the scenes

Here’s the bit that’s harder to say out loud.

I didn’t go to the awards ceremony.

Family commitments meant I couldn’t attend. And it wasn’t a light decision.

It was one of those proper grown-up choices.

The internal wobble was very real…

“I should go.”
“It could cause chaos if I try.”
“Is it selfish to put myself first?”
“We’ve had a lot to deal with recently.”
“I wouldn’t fully enjoy it if I’m worrying the whole time.”

Parenting doesn’t pause for award nights.

And as much as I wanted to be there… I also knew that forcing it would tip everything off balance.

Maybe another time. If I ever get the chance again.

But this time? Home was the right place to be.

Recognition without a trophy

Did it sting not to win?

Of course.

I’m human. I doubt myself at every corner. I overthink. I replay things while unloading the dishwasher like I’m preparing closing arguments in a courtroom drama.

But here’s what I realised…

Recognition isn’t only a trophy.

Being named a VA of the Year 2026 Finalist is recognition.

Someone looked at my work and thought: yes. That’s strong. That’s consistent. That’s valuable.

And for someone who occasionally wonders if she’s just making it up as she goes along… that matters more than I expected.

I’m not just Mum. I’m Lily Attwell-Rowan.

Starting my VA business has been a huge metamorphosis.

Not just professionally. Personally.

I’m Mum. Always.

But I’m also Lily Attwell-Rowan.
Commercial brain. Tidy task head. Loves a spreadsheet more than she should.

Building this business has reminded me that those things can coexist.

I can bring strategy, structure and calm to my clients… while still being present at home.

It’s not either/or.

It’s both.

What being a VA of the Year Finalist means for my business

My VA business, right now, is just me.

And the plan? It stays just me.

I don’t want an agency. I don’t want layers of people between me and my clients. I don’t want to be hands-off.

My values are simple:

• Homely, reliable business support
• Strong, long-term client connections
• Commercial thinking… not just inbox tidying
• A business that fits around life, not the other way round

My clients’ trust means more to me than a stage photo ever could.

Success doesn’t always look like a glittery backdrop and a trophy.

Sometimes it looks like:

A finalist badge.
A quiet sense of pride.
And carrying on building something steady and meaningful.

If you’re in the juggle too…

If you’re building a business around family life…

If you’ve had to miss something that would have “looked good”…

If you’re quietly doing brilliant work without always shouting about it…

I see you.

Maybe success isn’t always about being in the room.

Maybe sometimes it’s about knowing why you chose not to be.

And still standing tall anyway.

I wasn’t there.

But I was a VA of the Year 2026 Finalist at the Miss Jones Awards.

And that counts.

Work With Me

If you’re looking for thoughtful, strategic virtual assistant support from someone who understands the juggle (and doesn’t believe admin is “just admin”), you can find out more about working with me here  Check out my VA services.