Why I Chose to Become an Administrative Assistant for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

The past few months have been a lot. You’ve been getting tips from me on managing everything. This month (since it is my birth month!) I thought I’d share how Linklater Administration came about and why I do this work. 

Way back in 2017, my life had taken a drastic turn. I had to start over completely and figure out who I was outside of the rigid rules and judgment that had followed me around. Suddenly, I was questioning everything. The home I had wasn’t quite home for me (and it never had been). So, part of this starting over became needing to leave the physical spaces that I had grown up in. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in English and wanted to pursue graduate school. My options were BC, Saskatchewan, or Peterborough. The mountains are beautiful, but I knew I’d miss the open skies and needed to escape the Prairies. So, Peterborough, Ontario it was. 

The move here was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I spent the following 3 years in therapy, navigating health challenges, and earning my master's degree in Sustainability. In 2021, I graduated and found myself trying to navigate the workforce. My health challenges make it difficult to work a full-time job, so I needed a way to choose my hours and the freedom to decide what my time looked like. I was hired by the Research for Social Change Lab and a friend had asked me for administrative help at her salon. Thankfully, the research is still going on but the salon work didn’t pan out. During this time, I met my partner, who runs his own graphic design company. He knew I enjoyed administrative work and suggested I run my own administrative assistant company. A year later, it is going well! Time consuming, detail oriented is my strong suit. I, for the most part, really enjoy it! 

Peterborough has been instrumental in my healing journey. It is here that I found people who accept me, love me, and encourage me. It is here that I found my voice and what I am meant to be doing in life. Many Native teachings tell me that meaningful relationships are reciprocal. Since Peterborough has shown up for me time and time again, it is now my turn to give back to the community. This is why I strive to work with non-profits and small businesses. Peterborough is all about community and giving back.