Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Clarke.
Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey to forging a thriving business was far from a walk in the park (I’m sure you can relate!). Picture this: from my roots in the UK, I followed my darling husband’s career moves to China and later the United States. Oh, and just to keep things exciting, I welcomed a daughter and twin boys into the world along the way! Amidst the whirlwind, I craved a slice of normalcy. Combining my Project Management and client service skills, I started working as a VA for a handful of Interior Designers and my passion for supporting these small businesses grew. I had a desire to help other Interior Designers discover the benefits of virtual support and for something I could truly call my own, thus my business, MC Virtual Assistants was born.
Through it all, my unwavering ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ attitude has empowered me to overcome numerous challenges, build a tight-knit team, and continuously enhance our client service capabilities. As a business owner and a busy mom of three, I know a thing or two about multitasking and organization. My secret to doing it all is… that I don’t do it all. I’ve mastered the art of delegation – and I’m passionate about helping Interior Designers do the same.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first moved to China I was incredibly homesick. The Eastern world was a far cry from what I was used to at ‘Home’. Shanghai was a beautiful city, but the culture and language barriers made everything a struggle. Even simple daily tasks we take for granted like grocery shopping, going to the Dr’s, turning on the TV to watch Netflix or paying an electricity bill online became hurdles to overcome. I was very close after 6 months to packing my case and flying back home but my husband encouraged me to stick it out for a few more months. And i’m so glad he did!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about MC Virtual Assistants?
MC Virtual Assistants provides new and noteworthy interior designers with administrative, operational, and design support that allows them to spend less time scrambling and more time designing. The mission is rooted in helping designers delegate confidently—so they can focus on creativity, client relationships, and business growth without burning out.
MC Virtual Assistants is the trusted partner for interior designers seeking flexible, specialized support. Unlike generic Virtual Assistant agencies, MCVA’s team includes professionals with years of experience in the design industry—people who understand sourcing, procurement, drafting, and client communications. Every designer is matched with a Virtual Design Assistant based on their specific business needs, with a compatibility call before onboarding to ensure the perfect fit. MCVA is not a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s a custom, scalable support system that grows alongside the client’s business.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is creating a business and a life that support each other rather than compete with one another.
It’s building a company that runs on strong systems, trusted people, and thoughtful processes — so that I’m not the bottleneck, and my clients receive an exceptional experience without chaos behind the scenes.
It’s having the freedom to step away for my family when I need to, knowing everything will still run beautifully.
It’s seeing the women on my team grow in confidence, skill, and opportunity through the work we do together.
And it’s helping interior designers reclaim their time, reduce their stress and focus on the creative work they love — because they finally have the right support in place.
Success isn’t about being the busiest person in the room.
It’s about building something sustainable, supportive and quietly impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mcvirtualassistants.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mc_virtualassistants/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcvirtualassistants
