Her Story
About Sandra
I moved to New York City almost 10 years ago with just a suitcase and a duffel bag, no real place to live, and I was really open to anything. I've worked many different jobs over the years - from hospitality and restaurant industry, to being a fishmonger at Whole Foods, to making junk mail for Macy's, to working for the Wall Street Journal. My first year in New York was the hardest, and I literally found myself circling the drain at rock bottom when I got two gigs - one working at a matcha cafe and the other at a yoga studio. From there, I was able to really hustle and pull things together, which eventually led me to work as a director of operations at a dance studio, then as a personal assistant and studio manager, then into hospitality doing executive administration, and finally into my current role in health and wellness with luxury gyms. I've been in my current position for about 2 and a half years, supporting the legal team and our people and culture team. What I love most about my work is that it comes really naturally to me to help people. I'm a taskmonger - I thrive off of a list. I really enjoy personal executive assisting because it's all the things I do in my life that come naturally to me, like Tetrising a calendar, writing emails, looking at details, organizing events, and critically thinking through challenges. As long as my job doesn't get harder and there's respect exchanged on both sides with communication, clarity, and a little bit of humility, I'm okay with that.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say it's some type of inner drive that this is what has to be done, and I know what I desire for myself. Nobody else is gonna do it except for me. I get a lot of feedback from my friends and family that are like, oh, you're so brave, you're so brave, and I don't think so at all. Like, I've never used that word to describe myself. I've just always seen it as, this is the next step, like, this is just what has to be done. I think my father also instilled a lot of confidence in me, that I have been able to harness and grow in a productive way. So I would say those two things - that inner drive and the confidence my father gave me.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, I'm a gotta flood the market kind of person. I think that you have to - it's a law of averages, as far as numbers go. You can curate and network and do all of those things, but depending on what it truly is that you're looking for, don't be afraid. Don't be afraid at all, and don't be afraid to take the gig that maybe doesn't sound that cool, because you never know who you're gonna meet from those things, and the experiences that you'll have, and the skills that you will gain, and where that can actually lead you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Money. I would say being a single woman - I think just being a single person in New York City is already difficult. But I don't think we, as a city, really account for that. I think people are really undervalued for the work that they do and the things that they bring to the table. And unfortunately, in a city like New York City, that is reflected in how we're paid. The cost of living does the opposite thing, and people feel that squeeze.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are accountability, clarity, and direction. Honesty and a sense of humor always go a long way too. I'm very aware of what I can bring to the table professionally, and I'm really happy to say that in the past couple years, I have established this confidence in myself, in my ability, and what I bring professionally and personally as a friend. As long as my job or my interpersonal relationships don't get harder, I'm okay with that. Meaning, as long as respect is exchanged on either side, you have communication, clarity, hey, a little bit of humility, I think we're all gonna be okay.
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