Marsha Lake is the owner of Marsha Lake Secretarial Services based in Chatswood, Sydney.
Our services include Presentations, Reports, Transcriptions, Templates, Secretarial and Administration, Board Secretariat and Governance, Resumes, Online searches, fillable forms, and business advice including educating, training, and mentoring.
For more information go to: www.mlss.com.au.
Here we sit down with Marsha, to know a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Marsha: Having operated the business for the past forty-one (41) years, I have had the experience, knowledge, and capability to inspire and motivate other business owners in my industry and in all areas of business-related industries.
I am a Visual Presentation and Transcription Expert, who makes presentations and reports ‘shine’ and works on complex transcriptions with precision. I genuinely want to help others in the areas that I have been passionate about over the years.
In February 2024, I became a co-author, by writing a chapter in a global inspiring book, which includes 45 businesswomen (5 Australian women and 40 women from the UK, Scotland, the US, Canada, Europe, Bermuda and more, entitled: ‘Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose’. As at the date of writing, I am very excited to share with you that this book has now reached ‘International Best Seller’ status!
How did you get started?
Marsha: I have worked in the Secretarial industry since my arrival from the UK. I worked with employers as a Junior Secretary and a respected Secretary and Executive Secretary, responsible for many staff and becoming an ‘organised expert’ and a ‘time management specialist’.
In my last job as an Executive Secretary, I had become pregnant and reflected on whether I should return to the workforce and still be working for an employer? Or ‘live my dream’ of operating my own typing business? I decided to be ‘my own boss’, walking the streets near home and gaining my first job, that was 41 years ago!
What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Marsha: My biggest challenge was that I had ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and at the same time, had never operated a business previously.
I was aware that I had the experience in my areas of expertise; however, it was a scary start in the new business.
I began to collaborate with other business owners, networking, and gaining a great accountant, bookkeeper, and solicitor, who helped me move forward in the business.
Collaboration is so powerful and important when starting a business.
What is the most memorable thing you’ve done since you started your business?
Marsha: There have been so many memorable moments but one that I am very proud of is my client who had been writing content for unpublished books for many years. His wife had been typing these on a typewriter for him. However, earlier in the year his wife had passed away.
He contacted me and explained that he wanted to publish his books. I personally reproduced one of his books and researched and found a great publisher, and my client’s first book was published at the age of 91! I organised a book launch – and the smile on my client’s face ‘said it all’! I went on to help my client publish a second book at the age of 92! My client was so grateful for my help in making his dream a reality!
What is one book you recommend, and why?
Marsha: Positive Thinking by Maxwell Maltz
This was the first motivating book that I read in the very early days of commencing my business.
The book has allowed me to continue to be positive, with perseverance and tenacity throughout my business journey.
What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools or resources and what do you love about them?
Marsha: I love Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat.
Both of these programs are used extensively in the business.
- Adobe Photoshop – for images and editing.
- Adobe Acrobat – converting PDFs to Word, and PowerPoint.
- Social Media – LinkedIn has been a great resource for meeting other like-minded businesses and gaining more visibility and collaborations for the business.
In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Marsha: I have learned that you can build up a long and very successful business especially when the owner (myself) is ‘at the helm’ by being natural, honest, down-to-earth, hard-working, confidential, and having a sense of humour and a professional approach.
I have built up trust and long friendships with clients that I have had the privilege of working with over the years.
In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Marsha: Never give up, persevere with your dreams, and connect and collaborate with others, to help you to become successful. To keep up to date with Marsha and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn, visit her website www.mlss.com.au, or contact her via email: marsha@mlss.com.au.