Seeing Vicki’s motivation and ambition, Sam set Vicki a challenge, to walk around the drive as many times as possible. On the 8th of May 2024, Vicki posted a photo of herself proudly walking from the house to her car, something which she says, ‘I haven’t done since I was 12 years old’.
‘Being made redundant from the HMRC was the best thing to ever happen to me’
Victoria-Jayne Scholes • August 5, 2024
Vicki Wilson worked for the HMRC for 20 years. She now helps the self-employed with her own business, Vicki-Admin Fairy, and has recently been shortlisted for a Female Business Award.
Award ceremonies used to be something other people attended, but now donning her best outfit and rocking up at the latest star-studded awards, is nothing unusual for Vicki Wilson.
For 20 years Vicki Wilson, 48, from Oswestry, who has spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, worked as an Administrative Officer in the HMRC, during her time here she worked in various area of UK taxation such as Employers PAYE, Personal Tax and Self-Assessment department. This gave her ample experience to become her own boss.
It had been planned that the Wrexham HMRC office would close with the emergency of Regional HMRC offices. It was announced in mid 2019 that Wrexham HMRC office would close September 2020. The option to relocate two hours away was just impossible for Vicki. So she decided now was the time to follow her dream to start her own business and took redundancy in May 2020 (in the height of the Covid pandemic)
Asking Vicki how she felt about being made redundant she said, ‘It was the best thing to ever happen to me’.
‘It was the best thing to ever happen to me’.
Vicki went on to explain ‘If I hadn’t left when I did, I would still be in a job that was ‘ok’, but I would be stuck in a rut’.
Vicki has been married to Steve for 24 years and after leaving the HMRC, she started helping out with his bookkeeping business. However, when Steve decided to give the bookkeeping business up at the start of 2021, it gave Vicki an idea.
When Vicki was helping Steve, many of his clients had asked for help with the admin side of their business, so she started looking into becoming a virtual assistant and in 2021, her business ‘Vicki Admin Fairy’ was born.
As she states on her website, ‘Vicki Admin Fairy does the tasks that business owners hate and brings order to chaos, clarity to confusion and efficiency to the administration of small businesses’.
‘Vicki Admin Fairy does the duties that business owners hate
and brings order to chaos, clarity to confusion
and efficiency to the administration of small businesses’
The business started growing and her name preceded her. However, working with a disability is not always easy for Vicki, although many would never know.
Vicki was diagnosed at 18 months with Cerebral Palsy, following her parents’ realisation that she was still unable to walk without the aid of furniture.
What followed was 16 years of enduring operations to release tight tendons and muscles in her legs and operations to straighten her femur, which resulted in difficulties with her mobility.
Vicki’s youth was one which she did not hold back from and in between operations still found time to hang out with her friends.
Vicki said, ‘I was never treated as disabled by my friends or my family’.
‘I was never treated as disabled by my friends or my family’.
In 2018 Vicki was off work with a broken hip. During this time, she contemplated the freedom to be her own boss, to work the hours she wanted and have time to look after her health.
Upon her return she was advised her office was closing and she had to choose between relocation and redundancy. It was a no-brainer for Vicki and in May 2020, after 20 years, she worked her last day at the HMRC.
Leaving, certainly gave Vicki the boost to look after her health and at the end of 2021, reached out to Sam James at InclusFit in Swindon, who does online personal training.
Vicki, with her standing frame showing
her pride at how far she has walked.
I haven’t done since I was 12 years old’.
Speaking to Sam she described Vicki as ‘determined and stubborn and knows what she wants.’
‘Determined and stubborn and knows what she wants.’
Sam herself has Cerebral Palsy, so understands the struggles Vicki goes through day-to-day.
Seeing her dedication Sam nominated Vicki for ‘Inspirational Participant’ at the Heart & Soul Awards, which much to her delight, she won in July this year.
Vicki explained she was both shocked and proud of the moment. ‘Thank you to everyone who voted for me and of course thank you to Sam James for nominating me for this award.’
Asking Sam for her reasoning for nominating Vicki she said, ‘Other clients can do what they want without thinking about access needs, while Vicki always turns up no matter what, is the most determined client I have and gives it her all both at the appointments with me and anything I set her outside of the appointment’.
Vicki and her personal Trainer
Sam James from InclusFit
‘Other clients can do what they want without thinking about access needs,
while Vicki always turns up no matter what, is the most
determined client I have and gives it her all both at the
appointments with me and anything I set her outside of the appointment’.
Vicki – Admin Fairy is going from strength to strength and has recently been shortlisted in the ‘Professional Service’ category for this year's Female Business Awards run by the Female Business Network taking place in November. Vicki said, ‘It’s an incredible honour’.
The 12th of July 2024 saw Vicki as a Finalist in the ‘Independent VA of the Year - West Midlands’ category at the PA Awards after being nominated by her clients.
The year before, she won the esteemed ‘Highly Commended Virtual Assistant of the Year’ award at the Strategic PA Network Awards in October 23.
Earlier this year, Vicki took the business to new heights when Vicki-Admin Fairy was trademarked.
The business which started with just a few clients has quickly grown to over 20, and Vicki has found a network of other Virtual Assistants who help each other out.
Vicki’s best friend of 32 years, Veronica says, ‘Vicki’s success is due to her determination and resilience to never let her disability get in the way’.
Vicki and best friend Veronica,
enjoying the sun at a garden BBQ
‘Vicki’s success is due to her determination and resilience to never let her disability get in the way’.
This determination also applied to Vicki’s education. Spending time in hospital as a child didn’t hold her back from achieving 12 O levels.
Vicki went on to gain three A levels in Computing, Business and Psychology and following on from this achieved a Business Management degree (Hons) from the University of Wales.
After leaving university, Vicki had difficulties finding a job, and whilst this got her down initially, she said ‘I’m disabled I got this’. This is when she found employment with the HMRC.
Speaking to multiple people who know Vicki, they all applauded her for her bubbly personality, her fun-loving nature, her sense of adventure and above all her stubbornness to succeed
Vick grew up with three ponies and attended the local pony club and riding school for the disabled. She did not let her disability hold her back and mucked in with all the able-bodied children.
Now, Vicki lives in the quiet town of Oswestry, Shropshire with Steve and their two dogs, Pudding and Pippin.
Pudding and Pippin enjoying a rest. Vicki and Steve at the West Midlands PA Awards
Vicki speaks about Steve with admiration in her voice. This year they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
Looking at Vicki’s socials, you can see her love for travelling and food. Asking her about hobbies Vicki said, ‘I love going for a walk with Steve and the dogs and discovering new places in the UK.’
With a cheeky grin on her face, Vicki expressed her interest in following the Welsh rugby team and watching a game or two whilst socialising with friends. Admitting her favourite film is ‘The Godfather’ whilst loving the song ‘It’s My Life’ by Bon Jovi.
Veronica went on to describe Vicki as ‘Trustworthy, honest, straight talking and has a great sense of humour.’
‘She is trustworthy, honest, straight talking and has a great sense of humour.’
My most memorable moment with Vicki was at her wedding to Steve and her dad gave a speech. She has so many hurdles to overcome, and she always gives more than 100%.
Speaking to Vicki about her plans for the future she said, ‘I want to plan some more trips around the UK, maintain my health and continue to succeed with my business’.
‘I want to plan some more trips around the UK,
maintain my health and continue
to succeed with my business’.
Vicki Wilson is one determined lady, who is set for greater heights.
Sam advised, ‘Disabled people can learn a lot from Vicki, she can be a role model for people.’
‘Disabled people can learn a lot from Vicki, she can be a role model for people.’
With Vicki Admin Fairy already being noticed at awards, who’s telling where she will go next?
Find out more about Vicki-Admin Fairy by visiting her website.