About

 

Hello and thank you for visiting!

I’m originally from Croatia and have called Chicago home since 1995. Before starting I LOVE MY ASSISTANT, I spent more than 20 years in the corporate world, including a leadership role with a Swiss hearing aid company where I managed a $20 million inventory, complex supply chain operations, customer service, internal teams and a staff of 50.

After years in corporate operations, I moved into the nonprofit school world, where I expanded my experience in administration, admissions, human resources, accounting and day to day organizational support. Those roles gave me a strong foundation in problem solving, communication, organization and the kind of follow through busy people depend on.

During the Covid pandemic, while working from home and managing the many moving parts of my own life, I saw how easily everyday responsibilities can pile up. Appointments, paperwork, errands, household needs, emails, vendors, travel plans and family logistics can quickly become overwhelming. I realized there was a real need for reliable, thoughtful support for people who are capable, busy and simply stretched too thin.

That is what led me to create I LOVE MY ASSISTANT.

I now work with clients throughout the United States, with most services handled remotely. For local Chicago clients, I also offer in person support when needed.

Today, I provide private client operations support for individuals, families, seniors, professionals and small businesses. My work includes personal administration, household coordination, vendor management, research, scheduling, digital organization, errands, travel planning, medical and insurance administrative support, business support and special projects.

Think of me as a part time executive personal assistant and operations partner for your personal life, someone who can step in, organize the moving parts and help get things done with care, discretion and efficiency.

Whether you need ongoing weekly support, occasional project help or assistance with a specific situation, my goal is always the same: to make your life easier, more organized and less stressful.

Please inquire through the Contact page to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.

EDUCATION

Associate Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Sciences: Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology

Additional Study in Organizational Psychology

HARD SKILLS

Proficient in multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.

Proficient in productivity and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and iOS applications (Pages, Numbers, Keynote).

BigSIS: an integrated information system

SAP: a software to manage business operations and customer relations.

QuickBooks: an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit.

Simplifi and YNAB budget planning

Dropbox: another cloud storage and collaboration platform, making file sharing and team collaboration across borders hassle-free.

Calendly, TickTick, Motion: scheduling and task management tools offer multilingual support, allowing users to manage appointments and tasks effortlessly in their preferred language. This enables smooth coordination across time zones, ensuring efficient planning and organization.

Multilingual: English/Croatian/Serbian/Bosnian

SOFT SKILLS

..and I have a lot to say about them!

Excellent Communication - Why Is It Important?

I think effective communication is a key skill that enables individuals to convey their thoughts, ideas and information clearly and concisely. It is essential for building strong relationships, both personally and professionally.

  • Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely is crucial in ensuring effective communication. This includes using appropriate vocabulary, tone and non-verbal cues to convey messages accurately.

  • Active listening: being an active listener involves paying attention, clarifying misunderstandings, and responding appropriately. This skill helps in understanding others' perspectives, resolving conflicts, and fostering productive collaborations.

Interpersonal Skills - What Do They Mean?

In my opinion, interpersonal skills are crucial for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. These skills enhance teamwork, facilitate effective problem-solving and foster a harmonious business relationships.

  • Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: being able to understand and relate to others' feelings and experiences is a key aspect of empathy. Emotional intelligence further encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and relationship management.

  • Conflict Resolution: strong interpersonal skills include the ability to manage conflicts in a constructive manner. This involves identifying the underlying issues, communicating calmly and seeking mutually beneficial resolutions.

Decision Making - How Is It Applied?

Sound decision-making skills involve analyzing information, evaluating alternatives and choosing the best course of action based on available resources and goals.

  • Analytical Thinking: the ability to gather and assess relevant information, identify patterns and draw logical conclusions facilitates effective decision-making.

  • Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential risks and rewards associated with different choices allows individuals to make informed decisions and minimize potential negative outcomes.

Time Management Skills - Why Do They Matter?

Time management is essential for increasing productivity, meeting deadlines, and balancing workloads effectively.

  • Prioritization: this involves determining the importance and urgency of tasks and allocating time accordingly. Identifying and focusing on high-priority tasks helps to maximize productivity.

  • Planning and Scheduling: creating realistic schedules, setting achievable goals, and breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps enable individuals to make the most efficient use of their time.

Strong Organizational Skills - Why Are They Important?

Organizational skills are crucial for maintaining order, efficiency and productivity in both personal and professional settings.

  • Information Management: being able to organize and retrieve important information quickly and efficiently improves decision-making and prevents valuable resources from being wasted.

  • Task Management: effectively managing tasks involves planning, prioritizing and delegating tasks to ensure they are completed efficiently.