As a scaling business, we identified the need for an executive assistant during a period of growth in 2023.
Our CEO Jon and COO Steve’s diaries were full and their to do lists a mile long, so we knew we had to act. We welcomed Kim Rowling to the team at the end of last year and she’s had such a huge impact.
We caught up with Kim to find out more about her role, impact and how she’s found life at Blu Sky so far.
Tell us about your role
It’s very much a mixed bag, no two days are the same and I really enjoy the variety. My main priorities are managing Jon and Steve’s diaries, so they can be as efficient as possible.
I’m also here as a sounding board, helping with decisions, admin, logistics, navigating different ideas and implementing them.
What made you want to become an executive assistant?
I accidentally fell into this role in all honesty. I was working in head offices for retail administrators, and I ended up completing and filing the presidents’ expenses on their behalf.
As the company was growing the role naturally progressed and I spent more time organising meetings, supporting with ad hoc requests, and managing projects for the president.
Over the years I have learned a lot about etiquette, marketing, running projects, and events which are additional, useful skills to have when you’re supporting a business as executive assistant.
I’m a very organised person and I can really help people clear the fog, focus and see the bigger picture, so being an executive assistant feels natural to me.
Why do scaling businesses hire executive assistants?
For a scale up, it’s really easy to get bogged down with the day to day, which can stop you from driving forward as you’re caught up in making the engine tick over.
Many scaling businesses know they need to take the next step, but they can’t as they’re so consumed by everything on their to do lists, that’s where a executive assistant can step in and free up time.
We’re able to look at meetings and challenge whether you really need to attend, help you let go and reassign responsibilities.
What’s your favourite part about working at Blu Sky?
It has to be the culture, the whole team are incredibly helpful, friendly and welcoming. It’s really important to be happy where you’re working and you need to be able to get on with the people you see every day, and honestly at Blu Sky it’s been brilliant.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Trust is very important. My role requires complete trust and if the CEO doesn’t trust me, then I can’t do my job. It really is a joint effort, where both people agree to be transparent with each other and keep each other in the loop.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give you a busy CEO?
If you’re thinking of hiring an executive assistant, you have to be ready to trust them and you need to find the right person. They pretty much become family and they will know everything about you, so let go and trust.
If you’re not prepared to do that, there’s no point in hiring an executive assistant. Keep in mind that we help with all aspects of life and business too.
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