The EA Campus Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this EA Campus podcast episode, Nicky Christmas interviews Gabrielle Waxenberg, an experienced Executive Assistant who has recently transitioned to working as a fractional Assistant for multiple clients.

Key points from the episode:

1. From hospitality management to becoming an EA, she worked in various industries, such as legal, manufacturing, IT, banking, sustainability, and healthcare.
2. Time management across multiple executives and organisations, maintaining confidentiality, and navigating different personalities and dynamics.
3. Empowerment to set boundaries, choose clients and tasks, and establish a peer-to-peer relationship with executives.
4. Set boundaries early on, learn to say no when necessary, and build strong relationships with other admins for support and growth.
5.  Invaluable connections, witnessing the profession's evolution, and the ability to positively impact leaders and organisations.
6. The importance of challenging norms and providing honest feedback to executives, even when it's difficult, to help them grow and avoid potential issues.

Throughout the episode, Gabrielle shares her experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during her 12-year career as an EA. She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries, building relationships, and speaking truth to power. Her insights offer valuable advice for Assistants at all stages of their careers.

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In this episode, Becky Kaapuni shares her winding career journey spanning publishing, wine business, investment banking, tech startups, Twitter, and now Salesforce, where she supports the CEO of AI.

Some key pieces of advice and insights Becky offers:

• Be patient in building your career - you have to go through the stepping stones and start at the beginning, gaining experience over time.
• Know your worth and negotiate your compensation, even if it means being willing to walk away from an opportunity. Invest in a professionally written resume.
• For interviews, focus on showing up as your best self and demonstrating confidence. Worry about the details of the job later.
• Always maintain a beginner's mind, as every executive, company culture, and role will differ. Be ready to learn and adapt.
• Build your network and maintain connections over time. You never know when an opportunity may come back, even years later.

Becky candidly shares the triumphs and challenges of her EA career, from navigating egotistical bosses and sudden layoffs to finding executives who truly value and empower her. She emphasizes the importance of documenting issues, leveraging resources, and prioritizing one's well-being while acknowledging that immediately leaving a bad situation isn't always feasible.

While Becky admits she could lead more by example in disconnecting from work, she has found that staying on top of things helps her mental health and ability to relax. Her story illustrates the ever-changing landscape of the EA role and the resilience required to succeed in the long term.

The EA Campus

In this insightful episode of the EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas sits down with Tawnya Convoy, a dynamic executive assistant with a unique career trajectory. Tawnya shares her fascinating journey from being a professional flutist and music teacher to thriving in the world of technology and startups. She delves into her experiences at Apple, her transition during personal life changes, and her growth in various startup environments.

1. Musical Beginnings [00:00:30]: Tawnya discusses her initial career as a professional flutist and music teacher, reflecting on the challenges and fulfilment of being a freelance musician.
2. A Shift to Stability [00:02:00]: She shares her journey towards financial stability, which led her to explore new opportunities, including a role at Apple.
3. Embracing Technology and Retail [00:04:00]: Tawnya talks about her time at Apple, where she discovered her passion for technology, balanced with the demanding nature of retail work.
4. The Startup World [00:06:00]: She describes her experiences in various startups, from her initial office coordinator role to her impactful tenure at FAIR.
5. Current Role at Dozer [00:08:00]: Tawnya delves into her responsibilities at Dozer, supporting the CEO and other executives, and her enjoyment in tackling a variety of tasks.
6. Personal Growth and Routines [00:10:00]: She shares her morning routine, emphasizing the importance of fitness and how it aids in managing her ADHD.
7. Work-Life Balance and Remote Work [00:12:00]: Tawnya speaks about the benefits and challenges of remote work, her approach to setting boundaries, and maintaining a balance between her professional and personal life.
8. Advice for Aspiring EAs [00:14:00]: Offering valuable tips, Tawnya highlights the importance of technology skills and building strong relationships with executives, especially in the startup environment.

Featured Books, Products, Tools, and Technologies:

1. Apple Products:
   • Tawnya shares her experience working at Apple and her fondness for Apple products, which she continues to use both personally and professionally.
   • Link: Apple Official Website
2. Google Calendar:
   • Tawnya emphasizes the importance of Google Calendar in managing her tasks and schedules, highlighting its notification system and color-coding feature.
   • Link: Google Calendar
3. ClickUp:
   • Tawnya mentions using ClickUp for task management and organization, describing it as a vital tool in her workflow.
   • Link: ClickUp
4. Slack:
   • Slack is discussed as a crucial communication tool in Tawnya's work, particularly for its integrations and apps.
   • Link: Slack
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear:
   • Tawnya recommends "Atomic Habits" for personal development and habit formation.
   • Link: Atomic Habits on Amazon
6. Mel Robbins' Inspirational Content:
   • Tawnya expresses her admiration for Mel Robbins and her motivational approach.
   • Link: Mel Robbins' Website

The EA Campus

Welcome to the latest episode of the EA Campus podcast! In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Christi Brewer, an accomplished Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO at Shipt. Christi shared valuable insights into her career journey, overcoming preconceived notions about the Assistant role, leveraging technology in her day-to-day work, and her experience working for a startup.

The episode started with Christi providing an overview of her career path, highlighting her business administration and marketing background. She shared how she initially worked in retail management, ventured into the insurance industry, and eventually found her passion in marketing. However, during the Great Recession in 2009, she faced a round of layoffs that led her to explore new opportunities.

Christi recounted how a recruiter encouraged her to consider an EA role, despite her initial reservations and misconceptions about the position. Taking a leap of faith, she embraced the role and discovered her love for it. Her story resonated with many Assistants, who are often surprised by how fulfilling and rewarding the EA profession can be.

As the EA to the CEO at Shipt, Christi discussed the various aspects of her role. In addition to managing her executive calendar, inbox, and travel arrangements, she described herself as a "people connector," a sounding board, and a problem solver. She emphasised the importance of adaptability and highlighted her ambivert personality, enabling her to connect with leaders while excelling in focused, independent work.

The conversation shifted to the use of technology in Christi's role. She revealed that Shipt primarily relies on Slack for communication, enabling her to stay connected with her executive and the team throughout the day. Christi emphasised the significance of being well-versed in technology tools and adapting to the digital landscape to enhance productivity and collaboration.

The podcast delved into Christi's experience working for a startup. She shared her appreciation for the fast-paced environment at Shipt, a retail tech company. Christi highlighted the dynamic nature of her role, where each day presents new challenges and unique needs. She also emphasised the importance of being proactive, staying agile, and embracing change when working for a startup.

Towards the end of the episode, Christi provided valuable advice for Assistants aspiring to work for startups. She encouraged them to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to take on diverse responsibilities. Christi emphasised continuous learning, adaptability, and building solid relationships with colleagues and executives in a startup setting.

The EA Campus

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Holly Copsey, a Business Support Specialist at Virtually Priceless. Holly shares her remarkable journey and valuable insights into her 20-year Executive Assistant (EA) career.

Join us as we delve into Holly's journey and learn how she navigated the shifting landscape of the EA profession, particularly during the pandemic. Discover her insights on running a successful VA agency and how she has adapted her services to meet client's evolving needs. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from Holly Copsey, a seasoned EA and business support specialist.

The EA Campus

In the next episode of the EA Campus podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Shaun Alphonso, Executive Business Partner at Georgian, a renowned venture capital firm specializing in SaaS technology investments. Join host Nicky Christmas as she delves into Shaun's intriguing career path and uncovers the valuable lessons he learned. From working in Starbucks to his stellar EA career, Shaun shares many helpful tips and tricks for Assistants, including time management techniques, technology use, and how he manages communication with his Executives. This is one not to miss. 

The EA Campus

 In Episode 29, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Lora Whicher, the Founder of Lora May Virtual PA. Lora's journey in the corporate world as an executive assistant took her through various roles, including a significant stint at Savills real estate agency.

During our conversation, we delved into Lora's career trajectory, exploring her experiences working as a corporate EA and the pivotal moment that led her to start her own virtual assistant business. We discussed the challenges she faced and overcame, especially during the pandemic, and how she managed to successfully establish Lora May Virtual PA.

One of the highlights of our conversation was learning about Lora's ability to adapt and work with different personality types. She shared invaluable insights on navigating various working styles and how she leverages her expertise to provide top-notch support to her clients.

Additionally, Lora shared her effective time-blocking techniques and how she manages her day to ensure productivity and balance. Her expertise in structuring her schedule provides actionable tips and strategies that can benefit all EAs looking to optimize their workflow.

Join us as we dive deep into Lora's journey, from her corporate EA days to becoming a thriving virtual assistant entrepreneur. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of seizing opportunities, even in challenging times.

So, if you're ready to be inspired and gain valuable insights into the world of virtual assistance, grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and get ready for Episode 29 of the EA Campus podcast

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Welcome to the EA Campus podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Hayley Hudson, the Founder of Hudson Admin Support and the VA Lounge. Join us as we delve into Hayley's journey of starting her own virtual assistant business and creating a thriving network for VAs.

In our conversation, we explore the world of virtual assistance and dive into the tech tools and strategies that can empower assistants to excel in their roles. Hayley shares valuable insights on building confidence, understanding your worth, and leveraging technology to streamline administrative tasks.

Whether you're an aspiring virtual assistant or an experienced assistant looking to enhance your skills, this episode is packed with practical tips and advice. Tune in as we unlock the secrets to success in virtual assistance and gain a deeper understanding of the value that assistants bring to the table.

Join us on the EA Campus podcast as we learn from Hayley Hudson and uncover the possibilities that await in the realm of virtual assistance. Get ready to boost your confidence, harness the power of technology, and embrace your worth as an assistant. Don't miss this inspiring and informative episode!

The EA Campus

In this episode of EA Campus, we chat with Stephanie Hand, Founder of OnHand Executive Services. Stephanie shares her journey from working as an in-house Assistant to starting her freelance Assistant business. She discusses her experience onboarding a new CEO and provides valuable insights into dealing with workplace bullies. Additionally, Stephanie shares her daily routine and offers advice for assistants starting in the profession. Whether you're an experienced Assistant or just starting out, you'll want to tune in to hear Stephanie's valuable tips and tricks for navigating the world of executive support. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

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On this episode of EA Campus, we chat with Katie Parker, Founder of Parker PA Ltd. Katie shares her experience of transitioning from a corporate EA to starting her own virtual assistant business during the pandemic. She provides valuable insights into working with new clients and managing the day-to-day operations of a VA business. Additionally, Katie offers advice for Assistants who want to be more proactive in their careers and shares her decision to move away from working in London. Tune in to hear about Katie's tools and techniques to make her work more effective and efficient. Whether you're an aspiring VA or an experienced  Assistant looking to take your career to the next level, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation.

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