In this Q&A, Courtney Salas joins me to unpack what it really takes to succeed as an Executive Assistant in a fast-paced tech startup. From organising constant change to stepping confidently into a strategic partnership, Courtney shares honest stories from life inside a 40-something-person scale-up—where there are no playbooks, just problems to solve and opportunities to grab.

You’ll hear how Courtney:

Swapped corporate certainty for startup “productive chaos” and found her happy place
Balances EA fundamentals with high-impact projects (including running a full Series A process)
Builds confidence to challenge decisions and propose better options
Hires for grit, curiosity, and bias to action - over years of experience
Uses AI smartly, including a custom “Joe AI” profile to draft in her executive’s voice
Streamlines calendars and inboxes with booking links and sensible automation - without losing control

Listen if you’re:
Curious about moving into tech, keen to elevate your remit beyond the “basics,” or ready to use tools and workflows to free up time for genuinely strategic work.

Highlights

Owning the chaos: why uncertainty can accelerate your growth
The fine line: keeping the day-to-day tight while driving big outcomes
Influence in action: weekly prioritisation check-ins that actually work
Tech stack talk: calendar links, inbox design, and practical AI
Career mindset: choose leaders who open doors—and remember “everything is figureoutable”

Tools and Resources:

Google Calendar – daily scheduling, advanced setup for blocking priorities and tasks
Calendly – as another option for sharing availability
ChatGPT – used daily to draft, edit, and research
Slack – team communications, used as a source for training the AI

Resources & next steps
If you’re working towards a strategic partnership, explore our Strategic Business Partner course and check what’s coming up on The EA Campus events calendar. You’ll find masterclasses, summits, and community sessions designed to support you at every stage.

Enjoy the episode, and if it resonates, share it with an EA who’s ready for their next leap.

The EA Campus

Ep 76: Thriving in Tech Startups with EA Courtney Sallis

The EA Campus Podcast

Ep 76: Thriving in Tech Startups with EA Courtney Sallis