Client journey: Katarina Kroslakova, Publisher, T Magazine & Cosmo Aus.

From Personal Assistant to Chief of Staff. My client journey with Katarina Kroslakova - the name behind T Australia, Cosmo Australia, Winning and Maserati magazines.

KK is a no-holds-barred type of client – a true role model and an authentic, respected leader in her industry. She’s always gracious, endlessly understanding of life’s curveballs (she’s got two of her own), and her sharp wit and infectious humour make her the kind of person you want in your corner. We have a natural rapport, with similar working and communication styles plus, we’re both Aries, so I understand her hard shell, her brevity, and her need to keep things efficient. We challenge and complement one another in all the right ways.

That first call was nearly five years ago. Since then, KK has been and gone... and come ‘home’ again. With each stage of her journey with my business, my role has evolved – organically and intentionally.

When we first started working together, KK was in the thick of an interstate move and on the cusp of launching her next big venture: T Australia, The New York Times Style Magazine. She needed a Personal Assistant to help her juggle a punishing New York-based schedule, business deadlines, two young kids, a relocation, and a growing empire. We hit the ground running and quickly found our rhythm.

As T Australia gained momentum and KK’s schedule became even more demanding, it made sense for her to explore the idea of a locally based PA who could support her more consistently in person. So we pressed pause – professionally – but stayed in touch.

About a year later, KK’s name popped up in my inbox and I was thrilled. We reconnected, and she shared how tough it had been to find the right support in the current market. More importantly, she realised that being in the same room wasn’t the real priority – it was having someone who truly understood her world, could operate at a senior level, and work seamlessly with her team and stakeholders. I was genuinely touched that she picked up the phone again.

Her business had grown significantly and she was about to relaunch Cosmopolitan in Australia. We had to redefine the scope of support she needed. This role now required someone who could read between the lines, build strong internal and external relationships, work across teams, implement governance, and keep everything moving behind the scenes. It became clear what she needed was not just a PA – she needed a Chief of Staff. And that’s exactly what we built together.

No two days are the same in this role. One day I might be booking accommodation for a cover star or drafting policy documents, the next I’m invoicing advertisers, liaising with suppliers, coordinating with contributors, and juggling diary commitments. I try to stay on top of the (never-ending) inbox – though let’s be honest, some days I lose that battle. At the core of it, I’m the conduit between the team and KK, a trusted representative when needed, a sounding board, and a consistent source of calm in the chaos.

Supporting Katarina has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career so far. This journey from Personal Assistant to Chief of Staff wasn’t just a title change – it reflects how businesses grow, how trust is built, and how remote support can evolve to meet complex, strategic needs. It’s proof that with the right foundation, client relationships can deepen over time and create roles that are not just about tasks, but about impact.