From Bartending to Boardrooms: How Living and Working Abroad Shaped Me as an Executive Virtual Assistant

When I was younger, I wasn't chasing a career ladder, I was chasing experiences. I wanted to see the world, immerse myself in new cultures, and figure out who I was outside the familiar. What I didn't realize was that every plane ticket, every job, every unexpected twist would eventually prepare me for the career I have now as an Executive Virtual Assistant - supporting entrepreneurs, CEOs, and small business owners.

At the time, it felt like I was just saying yes to adventure. Looking back, I see I was also building a toolkit that I use every single day with my clients.

Behind the Bar: Learning Customer Service at Its Core

Before offices and boardrooms, I spent many years bartending and serving in restaurants. Those jobs taught me lessons no textbook ever could:

• How to stay calm when the bar was five-deep with customers.

• How to listen closely, read between the lines, and anticipate needs before someone even asked.

• How to handle difficult personalities with grace—and sometimes humor.

  
  

Hospitality sharpened my communication skills, my patience, and my ability to multitask under pressure. It showed me how to make people feel seen and taken care of, even in chaotic environments. Today, when I manage clients’ inboxes or coordinate their schedules, I bring that same instinct for service and anticipation.

London: Structure and Precision at the Highest Level

Eventually, I swapped cocktail shakers for court documents. Working in London at a Magic Circle law firm was a whole new world—fast-paced, high-pressure, and relentlessly precise.

There, I learned the power of structure, discipline, and forward-thinking. Every detail mattered. Every deadline counted. Supporting high-level professionals in that environment taught me how to anticipate needs, stay two steps ahead, and perform under pressure.

Now, when my clients’ calendars fill up or urgent matters come flying in, I lean on those skills from London to keep everything organized and under control.

Australia: Balancing Big Firms and Small Practices

After London, I moved to Australia, where I worked not only for mid-size law firms but also for solo practitioners.

In the mid-size firms, I honed the ability to juggle complex workloads, navigate office hierarchies, and collaborate across teams. In solo practices, the pace was more intimate and scrappy—resources were lean, and I often had to wear multiple hats.

The contrast was eye-opening. I saw how structure helps businesses scale, but I also learned how to be resourceful and hands-on when systems aren’t there. Today, that dual perspective helps me understand my clients whether they’re running lean startups or growing companies with multiple moving parts.

The Dominican Republic: Confidence and Connection

Later, I found myself in the Dominican Republic, teaching fitness. At first, I doubted myself—could I really stand in front of a room full of strangers and lead with authority? But I learned quickly that teaching wasn’t about perfection, it was about connection.

I had to motivate, inspire, and adapt in the moment based on the energy in the room. I had to communicate clearly and confidently while also being approachable and human.

That experience taught me presence—how to show up with both professionalism and personality. Now, when I interact with my clients’ teams, partners, or stakeholders, I draw from that same place of confidence and clarity.

The Common Thread

At first glance, these experiences might seem disconnected—hospitality, law firms, teaching fitness, living in different countries. But they all share a common thread: adaptability, service, communication, and resilience.

• From bartending, I gained customer service instincts.

• From London, I gained structure and precision.

• From Australia, I gained resourcefulness and perspective.

• From the Dominican Republic, I gained confidence and connection.

Together, they shaped me into the Executive Virtual Assistant I am today—someone who can juggle moving parts, adapt quickly, anticipate needs, and support busy leaders with both professionalism and a personal touch.

Full Circle

When I look back, I see that every chapter—every late night in a restaurant, every demanding client at a law firm, every cultural adjustment abroad—was preparing me for this one.

Today, I get to bring all of that experience into my work, helping entrepreneurs, CEOs, and small business owners step off the hamster wheel, reclaim their time, and focus on what matters most.

It turns out all those adventures weren’t detours at all. They were the training ground for the career I was meant to have.