Homiwoo: The central role of an Executive Assistant

Since joining Homiwoo in September 2021, Sarah Guyard has become an essential pillar of the company. As an Executive Assistant, she describes herself as the "Swiss Army knife" of the office. Here is the portrait of a professional who has made versatility her personal trademark.

A career built on precision

Sarah’s background is rooted in specialized training: an advanced technician's certificate (BTS) in assisting, complemented by a degree in Applied Foreign Languages.

She began her career in the legal field, an experience she describes as "highly formative" in terms of organization, rigor, and attention to detail. She then moved to an asset management firm, working alongside the Office Manager, before embarking on her longest professional journey: twelve years in the events industry with a company specializing in conferences and training for senior executives. During this time, she added more strings to her bow, moving from assisting the General Manager to handling partnerships and sponsorships.

Finally, she joined Homiwoo through a recruitment agency. A double challenge awaited her: stepping into a newly created position—as the CEO, William, had never had an assistant before—and entering the real estate sector, a field entirely new to her.

Embracing versatility

At Homiwoo, Sarah lends a hand across a wide range of areas: sales, marketing, administration, event planning, onboarding new hires, and managing LinkedIn communications and newsletters. "There is no typical day, and that’s what I like. I don’t want to do the same thing every day," she explains.

Working from the office four days a week, she believes that "an executive assistant must be close to the team." Sarah focuses on maintaining human connections and streamlining communication in a company where remote work is widespread. Artificial Intelligence has also become part of her daily toolkit, offering significant time savings, though she notes that results always require human oversight. "I’ve learned to use AI to my advantage," she says. However, she does not fear technology will replace her role. "Beyond organization, assisting at the executive level is about decoding needs and managing the unexpected with agility to ensure team cohesion."

Tackling challenges with style

Her first few months at Homiwoo remain a particularly memorable period. Shortly after arriving, Sarah was tasked with managing the company’s first appearance at an annual trade show, organizing the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) elections, and overseeing the data transfer to a new health insurance provider. More recently, she orchestrated the remote move of equipment to new offices right as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were in full swing. "No gold medal, but everything went perfectly," she says with a smile.

Among the missions closest to her heart is the organization of team buildings. Twice a year, the entire staff from Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, and Bordeaux gather. From team-building activities to restaurant reservations and logistics, she oversees these highlights: "What I love most is knowing that the employees are happy and enjoyed getting back together," Sarah explains.

Centering the Human Experience

Since her arrival at Homiwoo, the workforce has doubled. Sarah has witnessed this growth firsthand, particularly by supporting recruitment in her early days and contributing to the update of the company’s "Welcome to the Jungle" showcase.

According to her, the essential qualities of an executive assistant in a small structure can be summarized as: active listening, total versatility, and a strong sense of the collective. It is a philosophy she embodies every day at Homiwoo.