A Handshake Wealth Transfer

 

I attended my first Admins Run the World tour event a few weeks ago, hosted by Sunny Nunan and the Admin Awards. She opened the ceremony by introducing her core inspiration for founding the first public recognition movement for Administrative Professionals – her mother, Jeannette Castellano. 

 

The panel featured many talented speakers and historical retellings of the world’s ‘Founding Admins’. All the while, my eyes would drift to the back of a silver-haired woman beaming with pride in the front row. 

 

I’ve been an executive assistant for less than a year now – I’m shy, uncoordinated, and a rookie to boot. Jeannette Castellano is a confident veteran with a trailblazing legacy taking care of business and people for a lifetime. We are foil characters.

 

As everyone mingled, laughed, and cried together, I finally mustered the courage to approach Mrs. Castellano. I didn’t know what I would say as I walked towards her, and I blurted out, “I got a free shirt” as my opening line… She smiled politely and asked me to repeat myself, and my cheeks started to turn red. I stuttered through my introduction, and we talked. She had a low, coarse voice and held my hand tightly the entire time. She was firm and absolute when she finally said, 

 

“Learn as much as you can. Not just your job – every job. 
And you’ll go places. I promise.” 

 

All at once, I knew this was the truth. This is how Mrs. Castellano had gotten so far, and how she had collected so many people to love and who love her. I left the conversation knowing I had some serious work to do. It’s time to take some classes!

 

This serves as a love letter to the rookies and the underdog admins out there. Learn everything you can. And a word of caution – be careful with Mrs. Castellano. She has a stronger grip than any business owner I’ve ever met.

 

Join me as I continue my journey on the Xtra Mile.