Hello Theresa! Happy to have you with me today, could you let our readers know who you are?

Thank you for having me! I’m Theresa, Chief of Staff here at PATCHBOX. In this role, I act as the right- and left-hand woman to our management trio – Sepp, Alex, and Dieter – while also running everything related to People & Culture.

I have worked in a variety of industries, ranging from fitness to media. While the fields may differ, one thing remains constant: at the core of every company are its people – and they’re often more alike than you’d expect. Fun fact: I’m also one of the few true Viennese in the office!

Can you tell us how you got to PATCHBOX? What attracted you to the company?

I first met our founders, Sepp and Alex, at the INITS summer party – in the drinks queue. They told me about PATCHBOX, what they had built so far, and their vision for the future. I was instantly intrigued and kept asking questions. By the end of the evening, it was pretty clear that my experience in scaling companies was a great match for what they had in mind. Just a week later, we had a more in-depth conversation, and in November 2023, I officially joined the team.

Can you describe a typical day in your role as Chief of Staff at PATCHBOX?

There is no such thing as a typical day, and that’s exactly what I like about it. Sometimes I focus on bigger projects, but more often than not, I handle a variety of different topics throughout the day. One moment I might be interviewing a candidate, then joining a meeting on sales numbers, drawing up a contract for partners, setting up a laptop for a new team member, creating a home office policy and making sure we don’t run out of coffee in the office – all on a random Tuesday.

What’s the most unexpected task you’ve ever had to do as Chief of Staff?

I’ve learnt to expect the unexpected. I’m the go-to person for whatever comes our way, and after years of experience in different companies, I’m rarely surprised by anything. Whatever the issue, I’ll troubleshoot and decide whether it requires structure and clear rules or a more unconventional approach.

I also jump in wherever I can. I’m a hands-on person in the most literal sense – whether that means assembling furniture, packing gift bags for partners, or just taking out the recycling.

What motivates you in your position, and what do you find most rewarding?

I love the broad range of topics – there’s always something new coming up, which definitely keeps me on my toes. Working so closely with our management means I’m right in the middle of things, taking on responsibility for various projects, and making a real impact. For me, that’s one of the big advantages of being part of a smaller, founder-led company.

Recruiting new team members – or “patchies”, as we call them – is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. You meet so many talented people, and when you check in a few months later and see them thriving in their role, fitting into the team, it’s such a great confirmation that you made the right call.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for the organization in the coming year?

We’re really just getting started. We recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary, and there’s still so much ahead of us. We’ve built a solid foundation with plenty of room to grow.

Change always brings obstacles, but with our strong team of problem-solvers and continuous improvement mindset, I’m confident we’ll turn challenges into stepping stones – so I’m genuinely excited for what the next 10 years will bring.

How do you manage communication and alignment between different teams and departments?

First off – in my experience, no company nails communication perfectly all the time. If yours has the secret sauce, please give me a call!

One of the biggest challenges for any growing company is finding the sweet spot between making sure everyone is aligned and slipping into meeting overload. We’re well past the stage where everyone can just sit around a table and stay fully in the loop, but at the same time, nobody wants a meeting that could have been a Slack message.

At PATCHBOX, we use a mix of regular team meetings, cross-functional check-ins, and a monthly all-hands where (almost) the whole company comes together in person, with snacks and drinks after. Different teams have different needs: some do daily stand-ups because they work very agile, while others prefer occasional brainstorming sessions and handle day-to-day tasks via Slack or tools like ClickUp.

We also ask new team members in their welcome questionnaire whether they prefer face-to-face or written communication. It helps us tailor how we share information so it actually reaches people in the way that works best for them.

My general rule of thumb? Don’t assume people know what’s going on. It’s always better to share information one time too many than not enough.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to go into the People & Culture field?

At university, you often hear people say “I want to go into HR because I like working with people”. And while that’s true – we do work with people – People & Culture also includes understanding how a business runs. And there’s a lot of paperwork involved. You need to know your way around legal regulations, draft contracts, agreements, and more.

You’ll need empathy, but also resilience, because not every decision will be easy or popular. Working with people also means you’re the one who has to say no, because not every request can be granted. I always have to consider what’s fair and sustainable for the whole team, not just one individual.

Keep an open mind, because workplace dynamics are always evolving. And don’t underestimate the impact of small things like a short walk with a colleague or just an honest thank you.

If your job came with a theme song, what would it be?

Great question! I think “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift would be a good pick.

As Chief of Staff I’m constantly navigating different personalities, emotions, and unexpected situations. No matter what comes my way – tricky conversations, last-minute changes, or even coffee emergencies – I keep things moving and don’t let anything throw me off for long. Plus, it’s catchy, full of good vibes, and sometimes you just have to shake off the stress and keep the team smiling!

Do you have any tips for someone joining PATCHBOX today?

Come as you are – that’s truly what we value at PATCHBOX. We’re a diverse team with different nationalities, languages, and backgrounds. You will fit right in. Also, don’t worry if the technical side feels a bit overwhelming at first – we regularly run product training sessions, and you’ll be up to speed before you know it.

And I have to give a shout-out to my fantastic colleagues. When we recently asked the team what advice they’d give to new patchies (as part of our 10-year anniversary), the responses were fun, honest, and super helpful – just like the team itself.

“Jump in with both feet – ask questions, share thoughts. Don’t be afraid. A dynamic team thrives on energy!”
“Be brave, be real, be yourself – we’re here to support you every step of the way!”
“If you go on a work trip, come back with sweets.”
“Ask questions, be curious, and don’t be afraid to challenge ideas – also your own.”
“Learn to fall in love with change, get your hands dirty on things you have no clue about, and you will win.”
“Take initiative and share your ideas – you can make a real contribution to the whole organisation “

What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not managing all the crazy at work?

I enjoy problem-solving, so I continue to do it in my free time as well. I’m part of a trivia team, and we attend a weekly pub quiz. It’s not about knowing everything; it’s about working together to find the solution. You have to know when to listen to others and when to speak up. Sometimes you get it wrong, but you can try again the following week.

One of the best ways for me to recharge my batteries is to spend a quiet summer’s day at Alte Donau reading a good book. I also love going to concerts and music festivals. Singing and dancing my heart out at a live performance fills me with energy.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

That’s an impossible question to answer – there have been so many! I love seeing “Die Ärzte” live, because they always have fun on stage. “Tenacious D” was great fun even though it was so cold, that I lost my voice from all the singing. Last year I got to meet “Frank Turner” before the concert and he’s just the nicest punk rocker ever. And this year I am really looking forward to seeing “Oasis” again, this time in Scotland.

If you had to swap jobs with someone else in the company for a week, whose job would you pick?

I would swap roles with Aviva, our product manager – not because I could do their job, but because it would be incredibly interesting! They’re involved in every aspect of our products, which are at the heart of our business. From materials and customer feedback to production costs and legal regulations, they handle it all. Aviva does an amazing job managing the entire roadmap, coordinating cross-functional teams, and keeping track of every detail. I’m sure I’d have a steep learning curve.

Would you rather go without coffee for a week or your favorite music for a week?

Without coffee for sure. I only drink decaf, which raises some eyebrows in our team, so to me it’s just a hot beverage and not a way to wake up. I always have a song stuck in my head, though, so not singing or mumbling would be a challenge.

What’s a book, movie, or TV show you’re currently obsessed with and why?

Another difficult question! My to-be-read pile has more than 50 books on it (the perils of having a bookstore next to the office!). “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin was excellent. It has so many layers and different writing styles. If you haven’t read it, go pick it up!