A Day in the Life of Executive Assistant Cara Waterfield
Saving Grace Events is made up of a team of fantastic women, who all live and breathe events. One such team member is Cara, who is Executive Assistant to Director Rebecca. Cara makes things run smoothly so that Saving Grace Events can deliver exceptional events for clients.
Cara supports Rebecca in her day-to-day role, helping to keep the boss, her schedule, and the business organised. Rebecca credits Cara with helping to de-stress her working life and keeping her sane! Cara also supports the wider team with tasks such as event research, ordering event supplies, diarising appointments, carrying out administrative duties, and managing invoicing. Whatever the task, Cara is always on hand to help, and there are no limits to her talents!
We sat down with Cara to find out more about what a typical day for her involves…
How do you start your day?
An early morning gym session is a must to get my day moving right!
What do you do when you get to the office?
When I get to the office, I enjoy cuddles from Saving Grace Events’ Head of Happiness Cora, the Chihuahua . Then, it’s straight to work.
What does your day involve?
A typical morning involves going through email accounts and to-do lists. I usually check in with Rebecca and the team, to see if any high priorities need my attention, and then I spring into action. My day can also involve things like managing diaries, chairing meetings, booking travel and accomodation, account enquiries, invoicing, general booking keeping, supporting Rebecca with anything she needs to free up her time to focus on work, and supporting on event tasks when we get busy. No two days are the same, and I like to think I can throw myself into many areas of the business, to make sure everything is smooth and organised within the team.
How do you unwind after work?
I am a busy mum of two, so I rarely get to unwind. Instead, I become the taxi, the cook, and the cleaner! I also have three dogs, who all need their evening walk. I probably sit down at around 9pm, but by then it’s bedtime! I enjoy keeping busy, though. It’s who I am.
Why did you want to work in events?
The events side of things really appealed to me when I applied for the job. I was actively looking for work when I came across the advertisement, and I felt like I was a great fit for the role. I am creative and love bringing the fun element to events.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that each day can be different, and it’s never boring. We have a great team, and we’re all likeminded, which makes the office a lovely environment to be in.
What’s the most challenging thing about your job?
Time pressure can be challenging, but we always make it work. Some of our most successful events have been on a quick turnaround, so we must all work best under pressure!
Best event you’ve ever worked on?
The best event so far has to be Five Guys Ibiza, but we do have some really exciting events coming up, which will come super close to this. I can’t wait to see them all come together and to make more memorable moments.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in events?
We work like swans: There’s a lot of paddling underneath the surface, and that’s what creates the beauty of the event that everyone gets to experience. Where there is a will, there is a way. Nothing is impossible, and we always go above and beyond to go that extra mile.
If you’d like help organising your next event, get in touch with us.