Every startup story celebrates the visionary founder — the one with ideas, charisma, and sleepless ambition. But behind that spotlight, there’s often someone quietly steering the rhythm of their days. That’s me — the Executive Assistant. My job isn’t just about managing schedules; it’s about managing momentum.
I often joke that I live a few hours ahead of my CEO. While they’re still in a meeting, I’m already planning for the next one — aligning notes, coordinating follow-ups, and calming the small storms that constantly brew in a billion-dollar startup. The inbox never sleeps, and neither does the pressure. But in that chaos, there’s something deeply satisfying — being the invisible thread that holds it all together.
One day I’m negotiating with a partner’s assistant in Singapore; the next, I’m arranging a last-minute investor dinner in San Francisco. There’s no script — just adaptability. I’ve learned that efficiency is an art, not a skill. The trick isn’t doing everything — it’s knowing what not to do so the CEO can focus on what truly matters.
But the real challenge is psychological. You’re not just keeping someone on time; you’re keeping them balanced. When things go wrong — and they often do — I’m the first line of defense. I’ve seen the CEO at their best, pitching on stage to roaring applause, and at their worst, exhausted at midnight, second-guessing every decision. I’ve learned when to speak and when silence says more.
What people don’t realize is that being an EA gives you a front-row seat to how leadership really works. You see how vulnerability drives vision, how doubt and courage coexist in every decision. It’s like watching a live masterclass in ambition — one that teaches you more about resilience than any business degree ever could.
I may not be the face of the company, but I’m part of its heartbeat. Every success that makes headlines has hundreds of unseen hands behind it — and one of them is usually mine, quietly holding the calendar, the chaos, and sometimes, the confidence of a CEO trying to change the world.