Behind the Scenes at The Officials: Meet Marta

Hi there,

Marta here. I am the person who has been putting the Dossier together for a little while now, and given that you are going to be hearing a lot more from me this year, I thought I should introduce myself. So, hi! 👋

Some interesting facts about myself are: I am Spanish but grew up moving around. I love talking politics and world views, and I once met Queen Elizabeth II.

If I had to choose one word that best describes who I am, personally and professionally, it would be connection. Making connections is how my brain works. Connecting with people is what brings me most joy. Building the connections that make systems work is my job. 

It will come as no surprise to anyone that this has meant I have built a career in admin, operations, and support roles across different industries and different countries.

How I got to The Officials

After a few loops around the world, I found myself back in the UK, working as a Private PA, and making a decision that I felt ready for, but equally completely unprepared for. I wanted to go self-employed. So I moved to London to try my luck. But starting from scratch, with no community around you and no obvious roadmap, is a lonely thing.

That’s when I (luckily!) found The Officials.

Or more accurately, that’s when I found Lauren on LinkedIn. I had been following her for a while, watching her create a space that empowers administrative professionals like me. I signed up to the waiting list. 

And then one day, I decided to do send her a message offering my time for free.

I figured I didn’t have anything to lose whilst I was looking for clients. Because when you are trying to establish yourself in something new, and trying to learn and grow, one of the most powerful things you can do is show up with your hand open rather than your hand out. Volunteering time and skills can help you get in front of the right people.

I genuinely thought she would think I was unhinged. A stranger on the internet volunteering herself into your business is not exactly a normal Tuesday. But instead, Lauren replied from a bubble bath. Burning the midnight oil (typical!), writing courses, running a launch entirely on her own. She said yes.

That was six years ago.

What started as an offer to help has become a partnership I am genuinely proud of. 

I have had a hand in building The Officials from the ground up, across operations, community, marketing and events. Watching a vision turn into a thriving business, with people whose careers have shifted because of it is not something I take lightly. It is exactly why I do what I do. 

And somewhere along the way, I found one of my favourite people. Working with Lauren teaches me something new every single time (so much tech!), and I look forward to our fun and challenging days every day.

What I am working on

This year my goal is to get out of my comfort zone at The Officials. For the longest time I have been saying that the biggest growth happens when you step into the thing that scares you a little, and this year I am taking my own advice.

So I am stepping into something new. Lauren has handed me the keys to something big and honestly, the audacity of that woman.

Next week, The Officials is launching its AI series, and I am leading it. As someone who has spent the last few years embedding AI into the way I work, I want to show you what is actually possible when you stop being intimidated by it and start being curious.

I will also be creating more content for LinkedIn and the community (be warned, I have a lot to say!), be more involved in training and I will be partnering with Lauren on a more strategic level, which is equal parts exciting and terrifying.

For now, I just wanted to introduce myself properly. 

I am Marta. I build connections. I believe in showing up with your hands open. And I am very happy to be here.

Feel free to say hi in the community, or connect with me on LinkedIn.