Guide to Private Service Agencies and Educators 2016

2016
Edited by Donna Shannon
The Personal Touch Career Services
8/23/2016
Guide to Private Service
Agencies and Educators

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JOB SEEKER'S GUIDE TO PRIVATE SERVICE
AGENCIES
Edited by Donna Shannon

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©2012, 2016 Donna L. Shannon
Published by The Personal Touch Career Services: Westminster, CO
ISBN: 978-1-939737-00-7
Portions of this book have been voluntarily supplied by the Agency featured and do not indicate an endorsement
on behalf of the author or the publishing entity.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical
means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except
in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in critical articles or in a review.
Trademarked names appear throughout this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of
a trademarked name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective
owner's trademark.
The information in this book is distributed on an "as-is" basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has
been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any
person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the
information contained in this book.
Donna L. Shannon
8120 Sheridan Blvd, Suite A101
Westminster, CO 80003
www.personaltouchcareerservices.com
donna@personaltouchcareerservices.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About This Book..........................................................................................................................................................7
How Agencies (Generally) Work.................................................................................................................................8
Making the Right Impression......................................................................................................................................9
Ethics in Your Job Search......................................................................................................................................... 10
The Agencies............................................................................................................................................................ 11
A Friend of the Family ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Alter Ego Concierge............................................................................................................................................. 13
Annie’s Nannies, Inc. ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Aunt Ann's In-House Staffing............................................................................................................................... 17
The Calendar Group............................................................................................................................................. 19
Cassford Management, LLC................................................................................................................................. 21
Christopher Baker Staffing .................................................................................................................................. 23
Dedicated Domestics........................................................................................................................................... 25
Distinguished Domestics ..................................................................................................................................... 27
DomesticMatch ................................................................................................................................................... 29
Domestic Placement Network (DPN) and EstateJobs.com ................................................................................. 31
Feigon Hamilton Partnership (And Childcare and Domestic Staff) ..................................................................... 33
The Grapevine Agency......................................................................................................................................... 35
Harper and Associates......................................................................................................................................... 37
Heartland Estate Staffing..................................................................................................................................... 39
The Help Company .............................................................................................................................................. 41
Hire Society.......................................................................................................................................................... 43
Home Staffing Network....................................................................................................................................... 45
Household Staffing.com ...................................................................................................................................... 47
Locke Domestic Agency....................................................................................................................................... 49
Mahler Private Staffing........................................................................................................................................ 51
The Meyer Suite .................................................................................................................................................. 53
Mom's Best Friend Agency.................................................................................................................................. 55
Morningside Nannies .......................................................................................................................................... 57
Nannies and Housekeepers USA ......................................................................................................................... 59
Private Chefs Club................................................................................................................................................ 61
Precise Home Management................................................................................................................................ 63
Quintessentially People....................................................................................................................................... 65
The Robert Hanselman Domestic Agency, Inc. ................................................................................................... 67
Town and Country............................................................................................................................................... 69
Westside Nannies................................................................................................................................................ 72
White House Nannies.......................................................................................................................................... 74
Additional Agencies Of Note ................................................................................................................................... 76
Educators and Schools............................................................................................................................................. 76
Be the Ultimate Assistant / Bonnie Low-Kramen & Vickie Sokol Evans.............................................................. 77
The British Butler Institute .................................................................................................................................. 79
Charles MacPherson Butler Academy ................................................................................................................. 81
Peak Technical Institute....................................................................................................................................... 84
The Meyer Suite .................................................................................................................................................. 87
Starkey International Institute ............................................................................................................................ 89

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ABOUT THIS BOOK
As a career coach who specializes in the private service industry, I am constantly getting asked about who
are the best agencies. My answer? It depends. More than anything, working with an agency is a relationship, and
you have to pick the right ones to match your own skills, experience, style and expertise.
That being said, I then turned the same question to myself. Who are some of the agencies that I have
enjoyed working with? Who do I tell my clients to contact? And, more importantly, who are some of the key
players in the industry that I need to know better?
What resulted was the creation of a feature on my website called the Agency Spotlight. Starting in
December 2011, I reached out to my contacts and those that I wanted to know better, based on their reputations
in the industry. As of June 2015, I have featured over 20 agencies on my website. As the number continues to
grow, this e-book will be updated to reflect the new editions.
So what goes into an Agency Spotlight?
I asked agencies the 10 most common questions that I get from job seekers. As you read through the
write-ups in this book, the format follows those same core questions along with a summary about each agency.
Of course, there are more agencies in the luxury lifestyle management industry than just those listed here
- many of which are just as reputable, established and professional as these. I am currently in contact with them
and other agencies who haven't had an opportunity to complete the Agency Spotlight questionnaire yet. (By the
way, clients of The Personal Touch Career Services receive my full contact list, including agencies not listed in this
book.)
For any agency not listed in this book, I encourage you to use these same 10 questions when contacting
them.
Finally, my disclaimer. None of the agencies listed in this book have paid any fee for advertising or
promotion. However, they all answered the questions themselves, either by telephone interview with me or by
submitting their own answers. Summary information was provided by the agencies or was compiled from their
own websites. I did not do fact-checking or cross-referencing on any of the information provided.
Please use this information as just one of many tools for your job search; but of course, I can't guarantee
any results from working with any of these agencies. Ultimately, your job search is your responsibility. This
guidebook is merely meant as an informational resource and as a springboard for your own research.
- Donna Shannon
Career Coach, Speaker and Author
P.S. - Know a great agency that isn't featured in this book? Let me know!
donna@personaltouchcareerservices.com or 720-452-3400.

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HOW AGENCIES (GENERALLY) WORK
First and foremost, this is just an overview of how many agencies work. Not all agencies are the same, so be sure
to ask them about their specific procedures.
One of the main things to keep in mind is that agencies don’t work for you. They work for their clients,
who are the employers. This doesn’t mean that they are heartless, ruthless recruiters who are driving you like
cattle, parading your resumes in front of the employers like so many choice sides of beef. In fact, some of the
agency owners in this book actually came from private service careers themselves. They may have great sympathy
and understanding for your situation. But at the end of the day, their client is the employer and they have to
accommodate their needs to make the placement.
Most of the agencies I work with are committed to making a proper match between the candidate and
the employers. It is the best way to create a long-term employment situation, which is beneficial to all parties
involved – including the recruiter. Most would love to place you in a job where you last for 5 – 10 years. This way,
their reputation grows in the industry for making quality placements.
So how do they get this match anyway? For most candidates, it starts with a resume and an exceptionally
long application. I myself have used a 15- to 20-page application when I did placement. The whole purpose is to
gather as much information as possible in order to make that match. Keep in mind that they may ask questions
that would never be breeched in the corporate world, such as where you grew up, your personal service style,
and even your personal life.
On the flip side, the agency is also asking the employers very detailed questions as well. They want to
know what kind of employee that the family or individual wants, including issues of temperament and skill sets.
Some agencies even make it a point to visit the employers’ homes before making a placement – after all, a good
portion of employers don’t really understand what it will take in terms of manpower, hours and skills to provide
the level of service that they want. Some agencies will prepare extensive reports and recommendations for
staffing based on these site visits – usually for an additional fee to the employer, of course.
Once all the information is gathered from the employers, the agency starts pouring through their data
base to find that match of personality, skill, and experience needed for a successful placement. From these
matches, they send the resumes off to the employer for their consideration.
One important note here: not all agencies do this the same way. There are agencies that will only send 3
– 5 carefully selected candidates for the employer to review, based on that predetermined match. However, there
is another philosophy in recruitment: speed. Rather than spending a long time on trying to guess the match, a
recruiter may send 10 -20 resumes within an hour of the first call and then expect the employer to do the selection.
After the employer has a chance to review the resumes, the recruiter will set up an initial interview. For
the first one, this is usually done on the phone or by teleconference through a service like Skype. If that goes well,
the next step is an in-person interview. Like the application, in-person interviews will usually be exceptionally
long. While it is normal for an interview to last an hour in the corporate world, a domestic management interview
could last 8 – 12 hours, especially if you were flown in for the interview. In some cases, there may be a trail period
or a sample prepared so they can see the quality of your work. For chefs, this is almost always the situation,
because, let’s face it, resumes don’t taste very good.
Assuming the interview went well, the agency will now begin the employment contract negotiations.
DON’T get in the middle of this! Trust your agency to get the best deal for you. It is in their best interests as well,
as they do get paid a percentage based on your first year’s salary. And by the way, the employers should always
pay the fee, not you.
Employment contracts may include a wide variety of subject matter beyond just the salary. This could be
insurance, relocation expenses, and year-end bonus possibilities. This is an area where the agencies can vary quite
a bit. Some only negotiate the basics (salary and benefits), while others try to include performance
measurements, expectations for the first 60 days, and an agreed-upon job description.

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Regardless of the contract details, practically all agencies have a guarantee period. Essentially, it is an
“out” for either party in the placement. Normally lasting between 60-90 days, the guarantee period allows both
the employer and the worker to decide if the match is right or not. If, for whatever reason, the placement doesn’t
work out, the agency has the obligation to find another employee to replace the first one, or else they have to
return the placement fee. See why the agency wants to make the right placement on the first go? It is much
easier getting the right person in the job the first time than to re-do the whole process.
Many agencies like to check in with their candidates once they are on the job, especially within the first
30 days. This gives them a chance to spot any potential problems. Sometimes communication with the new family
isn’t perfect right off the bat, and the keen recruiter can help smooth these problems out. I have found that this
is especially true if the agent was in private service before, as they can relate many of the problems to their own
experience. In fact, some of the agencies in this book are known for their mentoring tendencies.
And that, in a nutshell, is how the recruiting process works for private service. Of course, each agency has
variations and specialties, so do your due diligence and ask plenty of questions about their particular processes.
Here’s a few other facts about agencies:
 Most agencies will place management positions nation-wide or even internationally, not just in their city
of origin
 Nanny agencies tend to favor their own geographic location, although some will place positions in other
cities if the clients are remote
 Many agencies are small, employing less than 10 staff members
 Due to confidentiality issues, every agency has some positions that are not openly advertised
MAKING THE RIGHT IMPRESSION
In the private service world, first impressions matter more than any other industry. And in this case, you have to
provide the same image as you would to the employers themselves.
So what does a good impression look like?
NUMBER ONE: A GOOD RESUME.
It should be professional, detailed and well-written. No simple mistakes like spelling errors, grammar errors,
unprofessional email addresses or incomplete information.
One mistake I see people make is to assume that the agency will re-write their resume. It is true that many of
them will copy and paste your information into their own format for branding issues, but this isn’t the same as
sitting down and extrapolating all of your work history and skills into a comprehensive resume. They need a solid
document to start.
In my own history as a recruiter, sometimes I had two great candidates: one with a great resume, and one with a
poor resume that needed a lot of work. Knowing that I needed a quick turn-around, the great resume was sent
while the other candidate was held back.
Don’t be too clever in the resume formatting either. Remember, the agency may need to remove your address or
change things to their format, so a simple design choice makes your resume more agency-friendly.
NUMBER TWO: A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

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I know that these things are frustrating, long and intimidating. Mostly, they are a pain in the… well, you get the
picture. As you can see, the agencies are asking for this information to help you by making a good match. But
there is another reason: to screen candidates. It’s a test. If you can’t accurately complete the application, many
agencies will not take the time to talk to you.
NUMBER THREE: REFERENCES.
People in this industry live and die by their reputations, which means you need some solid professional and
personal references to make the right impression. Not only that, let your references know that they will be called.
When I did placement, I was known for doing reference checks that lasted up to 20 minutes – now that’s intense!
Just a letter of recommendation is not enough. Agencies can and will call the reference to verify that the letter is
genuine.
NUMBER FOUR: BE AVAILABLE.
Answer your phone when it rings. Email other requested documents in a timely manner. If you are currently
working and can’t answer your phone, be sure to tell the agency when you are available and your time zone.
Remember, agencies place nationally, so gentle reminders of these kinds of details can help your chances.
NUMBER FIVE: COMMUNICATE.
Let the agency know what is going on after every interview, and certainly within your first week on the job. Even
before that, make it your responsibility to check in with the agency while you’re still looking for the job. Due to
small staff sizes, few agencies have the time to call all of their candidates to see if they are still available. It is your
job as the job seeker to stay on their radar by calling every one to two weeks.
ETHICS IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
First and foremost, I am not going to give you a sermon on the morals of job searching. But it is important to
cover some of the things that are acceptable and what is not.
Do’s Don’ts
Register with more than one agency Tell one of your agencies about jobs listed with someone
else
Send thank you notes to the employer
(often through the agency, and ask them to
forward the note)
Negotiate a contract with an employer yourself – this is
fine if you found the job on your own, but if the agency
set up the interview, this isn’t just unethical – it’s illegal!
Let the agency know how an interview went Cut the agency out of the relationship
Use intelligent social media strategies List past private employers by name online, or by any
other distinguishing features as well
Use your own professional and personal
networks
Contact your employers' associates before telling your
principal that you are looking
Use online job boards like EstateJobs.com Post a public resume that lists employers by name or
distinguishing service characteristics
Be honest about other employers that are
considering you or making an offer
Make up a job offer in hopes of increasing the current
offer

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THE AGENCIES
All of the agencies are listed in alphabetical order.
A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
Owner: Carey Merlin
Corporate Office: 89 Broad Reach Court
Savannah, GA 31410
(770) 725-2748
Additional Offices: Atlanta/Athens, GA
(770) 725-2748
Greenville, SC
(770) 725-2748
Charlotte, NC
(770) 725-2748
Website and Email: www.afriend.com
info@afriend.com
A Friend of the Family Staffing Corporation is a full service agency, placing thoroughly vetted candidates in
Atlanta/Athens, GA; Greenville, SC; and Charlotte, NC. Judi Merlin is the founder; business was recently taken
over by her husband, Carey. The agency has provided back-up care since its inception in 1984.
As Judi states on her website, “I value our Caregivers. I have great respect for those who have chosen to
make caring for others their life’s work. I respect them for their devotion to your family. I want to assure that
they are treated with dignity. We have pioneered setting high standards for our Caregivers in the industry. We
take many steps to assure that they have been thoroughly qualified before referring them to you. We offer
continuing education about the latest thought in caring for children and adults. We instill in them a professional
attitude and expect them to adhere to that highest ethical code.
“I value our highly skilled team of placement directors, recruitment directors and administrative staff... I
have had some members of our team be with us for 10, 15 and 20 years. They love helping [employers] and our
caregivers connect and find the right match for your family's own unique set of needs.”
Judi takes some additional time to tell us more about her agency and what they are looking for in
candidates…
1. How long have you been in business?
We have been in business for 28 years.
2. What makes your agency unique?
Our focus on not just experience of our candidates, but on their expertise as well. We want to know that our
candidates are knowledgeable. We do that by testing candidates during the qualification process and by offering
continuing education to our caregivers and providers.
3. What types of positions do you place?

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At A Friend of the Family Staffing Corporation, we place child and adult care providers and housekeepers on a
temporary, short or long term basis.
4. What is your ideal candidate?
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of experience/and or related educational background,
positive verifiable references, CPR certification, clear criminal background check, and a valid driver's license. They
also must complete our rigorous interview, testing and training process. Additional considerations are
unquestionable ethical standards, pride in their chosen profession, an attitude of service and the emotional
intelligence to anticipate the needs of the child or adult in their care.
5. Do you place across the country or locally?
A Friend of the Family places in the southeast primarily.
6. Do you look for any special training or certifications, such as college degrees, private service schools,
etc.?
The special training, certification or degrees must manifest itself in their practical knowledge, should impact their
performance on a daily basis and enhance their value as an employee. Special training or certification is preferable,
but not a requirement. We expect our providers to continuously seek knowledge of their chosen profession and
to keep abreast in our rapidly changing world, so they can be valuable resource to their employer.
7. Where do you announce your open jobs?
On our websites and social networking sites.
8. How should a candidate apply for a job? Do you want an online application, resume or both?
Both. While a resume is helpful, it is only a starting point to get to know our candidates. Through hours of in-house
investigation, we create a Caregiver Profile for each provider we accept. The Caregiver Profile contains only the
factual information that we have been able to verify. We continually update their profile with the continuing
education courses they take.
9. Do you belong to any professional associations?
We have belonged to International Nanny Association (INA) since 1986 and we have been a member of The
Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) since its founding in 1993. We also belong to Domestic Estates
Managers Association (DEMA) and the International Association of Private Service Professionals (IAPSP).
10. How can people contact you?
www.afriend.com

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ALTER EGO CONCIERGE
Owner: Caitlin Hofherr
Corporate Office: 111 West Washington
Suite 1340
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 346-2032
Website and Email: http://alteregoconcierge.com
Caitlin@alteregoconcierge.com
How often do you wish that you could clone yourself to manage all the details of your personal life while
concentrating on business? For Alter Ego Concierge, this is what they offer their High Net Worth (HNW) clients:
professional domestic staff and management that can handle any and all situations.
One of the newer agencies in the private service industry, owner Caitlin Hofherr brings a fresh perspective
to recruitment and placement. Relying on her past experience with The Right Staff agency and her previous career
in the marketing and entertainment industries, Caitlin creates effective relationships with both job seekers and
clients.
Alter Ego Concierge opened in early 2010. Prior to opening the agency, Caitlin was the director of domestic staffing
at a lifestyle management agency in New York City.
At Alter Ego Concierge, our approach is simple: we believe in relationships. Not only do we develop meaningful,
long lasting relationships with all of our clients, but also spend a great deal of time getting to know our candidates.
We want to make sure they are having a smooth journey in the placement process and know that they are far
more than just a resume to us. Without making sure that both our clients and candidates are happy, our business
could not run properly, and we pride ourselves on being the best in the business!
We staff full-time, part-time, and temporary nannies, baby nurses, housekeepers, chefs, personal and executive
assistants, house managers, and estate managers. We also place doulas, private drivers, personal organizers,
bookkeepers, & elderly companions as well.
The ideal AEC candidate is a true domestic professional. We appreciate candidates who carry themselves in a
professional manner in all aspects of the placement process. From email correspondence, interviewing, dress,
speech, and overall performance, we work with the best of the best that represent our agency’s belief that this is
a professional career—not just a job.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so, where?
We staff positions all throughout the world, not only in the United States, and welcome clients from any part of
the country.
etc.?

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Each position we staff is different and has different requirements. College degrees, CPR certification, and private
service training credentials are always a great asset to any resume we receive.
We post all of our open positions on:
Our blog - http://www.alteregoconcierge.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlterEgoConcierge
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/alteregoc
We ask that all candidates apply to info@alteregoconcierge.com and must include a resume in their application.
We are members of Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA), involved in various concierge associations,
and are active volunteers in the Chicago community.
I can be reached at Caitlin@alteregoconcierge.com. Our phone number is (312) 346-2032, and our office is located
at 79 West Monroe, Suite 1213, Chicago, IL 60603. Website: http://alteregoconcierge.com

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ANNIE’S NANNIES, INC.
Founder/ CEO: Annie Davis
Placement Director: Teah Achman
Corporate Office: 6041 California Ave SW Suite 105
Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 784-8462
Website and Email: www.aniseattle.com
Info@ANISeattle.com
There are two words that can summarize Annie's Nannies philosophy: give back. The agency and Annie Davis, its
founder and CEO, are involved in a number of charities, including Childhaven, PEPS, and local school, community,
and senior center fundraisers and auctions. Annie herself comes from a background of giving: she has served on
the Board of Directors of a non-profit organization helping at-risk youth. Annie has held a board of director
position with the International Nanny Association (INA) and is Immediate Past President of the Association of
Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA), a household staffing alliance.
Annie's Nannies has won Agency of the Year and received a certificate of Professional Excellence through
APNA. They have also been recognized by their local business community, consistently being voted Best Agency
by readers of Seattle`s Child and Eastside Parent until the award was discontinued. They were nominated for the
Mayor`s Small Business of the Year Award in 2008 and won the Award in 2009.
We have been in business for 30 years.
We really value the fit and matchmaking side of what we do. It’s very important to us that the family and the
candidate find the best possible fit from day 1. We spend a lot of time getting to know both our families and
candidates, and we are always available even after the placement to give guidance, counseling, back-up services
or whatever each party needs!
Annie’s Nannies places: nannies, family assistants, nanny/household managers, temporary nannies, night nannies,
doulas, companions for seniors, personal/executive assistants, chefs, butlers, and house/estate managers. We
offer both long term, short term, and On-Call options.
The ideal candidates should have a minimum of four years of professional experience in their field, provide a
minimum of 3 professional references that are recent, have CPR certification, and a clear criminal/driving check.
We interview each applicant in person and have them fill out a lengthy application that includes short answer
essay questions. At every stage in our screening process we are looking for candidates that have a passion for
their chosen career, high ethical standards, a positive attitude, and a willingness to work in a service industry.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where…
Annie’s Nannies places in the Seattle, Washington area.

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etc.?
We do not require special training or education to apply; however, lots of families are looking for these things
nowadays. We like to work with a wide variety of applicants as we have a variety of clientele. Any kind of
additional training, degrees, or certifications certainly can give someone an edge over other candidates when
families are considering them. We support training and continuing education and try to help applicants find these
resources in our area.
We have a job posting board on our website, we highlight jobs and email them out in a blast to all our nannies,
and we also post on Facebook and Twitter.
Our main application is online. We also require a resume and for them to fill out short-answer essay questions.
If they cannot get online, we can mail an application. Regardless of how the information gets to us, we also spend
time with the applicant on the phone and then in person to round out all the information we receive.
We have belonged to the International Nanny Association (INA) since 1985. We have been members of The
Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) since 1993, and Annie Davis was board President for 10 years. We
are also members of our local Chamber of Commerce.
Through our website www.anihouseholdstaffing.com, or give us a call at 206-784-8462.

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AUNT ANN'S IN-HOUSE STAFFING
Founder/ CEO: Denise Collins
Placement Director:
Corporate Office: 2722 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 749-3650
Website and Email: www.inhousestaffing.com
Info@inhousestaffing.com
Yes, there really is an "Aunt Ann," who established Aunt Ann's Agency in 1958, making this agency California's
oldest placement agency in the private service industry. To have succeeded so long is an accomplishment that is
well recognized in the industry, along with their standards of excellence for both employers and candidates.
The agency has changed and evolved over the years to address the changing needs of their customers. In this
week's Agency Spotlight, owner Denise Collins gives more insight into this long-running family business...
Aunt Ann’s Agency was founded in 1958 in San Francisco California. In 2000, Aunt Ann’s Home Care and Aunt
Ann’s In House Staffing were separately incorporated as individual business entities in different offices.
We have been in business for over 50 years and are family owned by the descendants of the founder, Ann Collins.
The agency has 3rd
generation ownership and often has staffed 3 generations of the same family. Frequently, we
will receive a phone call from a potential client requesting home care services for their parents and they will state
they called us because they loved the nanny that Aunt Ann’s sent to take care of them when they were small.
Visit our history page on our web site www.auntanns.com to learn more about us.
Aunt Ann’s In House Staffing is a full service domestic employment agency that places baby nurses, newborn
assistants, nannies, family assistants, housekeepers, cook-housekeepers, private chefs, household managers,
estate managers and personal assistants.
Our ideal candidate is a person who is legal to work in the United States, has a minimum of 5 years’ experience
working in private service in the field they are seeking and has references that we can check.
We will accept candidates with 1 year experience with exceptional personal and professional references and
training. Our candidates must be willing to complete our application and pass multiple background checks. We
have been background checking candidates since 1988. Our clients prefer excellent references and experience.
There is an increase in clients seeking nanny and estate management candidates requiring they have a college
education, in addition to life experience.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where?

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Our service area is local to the San Francisco Bay Area. We do place outside of this area for clients with additional
properties and some estate management positions. We partner with other agencies around the country and do
placement outside of our service area with other agencies.
6. Do you look for any special training or certifications, such as college degrees, private service schools, etc.?
Our clients establish the requirements for hire. Each job order is specific to the clients’ needs. Most of our clients
seek private service experience. In the past 5 years we have seen an increase in clients requesting candidates who
have college degrees or special training, but this has not replaced the preference for experience with references.
Most of our clients don’t want their job posted, so we tend not to post most of our positions. We do post some
of our openings on our web site and you will find general recruitment advertisement on our web site. Candidates
should check our web site, Linked In, and Facebook. We will run recruitment advertising for specific openings if
we don’t have qualified candidates on our books. Our preference is to mine our own data base of qualified
candidates first and not advertise our job openings.
I would encourage persons to register with us even if they don’t see an opening on the web site. We will register
them in our data base for future openings and contact them when a job becomes available.
A candidate should send us their resume and we will take it from there. If a candidate does not have a resume,
they can go to our web site and fill the appropriate online application. We have an extensive application on our
web site for persons who don’t have a resume. We prefer a resume instead of our online application to get
started. Candidates can send a resume to us via our contact page on our web site
Yes, we are members of national, state and local associations that represent the industries we serve as well as
business associations. Nationally we are founding members of APNA, 25 year members of INA and members of
DEMA.
Aunt Ann’s In House Staffing
2722 Gough St
San Francisco, Ca 94123
www.inhousestaffing.com
415 749-3650 Phone
866-729-2667 Phone
415 749-2083 Fax

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THE CALENDAR GROUP
Principal: Steven J. Laitmon
Corporate Offices: 30 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880
(877) 476-9090
Fax - 203 454 5406
Website and Email: www.TheCalendarGroup.com
Steven@TheCalendarGroup.com
The Calendar Group began as a boutique consultancy in 2002, when they were approached to staff the multiple
residences of two multigenerational families. After extensive research, they felt that the traditional domestic
staffing agencies did not invest the time to truly understand their client’s needs and expectations. Many of their
clients came to them sharing their frustration that agencies were presenting candidates who just don’t “get it.”
By paying close attention to what the clients were saying, The Calendar Group was able to grow their
recruitment business into two distinct categories, serving both the home staffing and corporate positions of the
High Net Worth (HNW) clientele. The consulting side of their business as well as our rapidly expanding Corporate
Staffing services is case in point. Their core philosophy revolves around the concept that the industry wasn’t about
staffing – but rather, about the creation and management of relationships on both the client and candidate side
for the long term.
As their website states, "Every client is different. We go out and find the right match – each and every
time. We believe that for every need – no matter how seemingly specialized or complex – there is a perfect fit."
Since 2002.
We provide a high level of attention to our clients and candidates alike. We don't want to waste our clients' time,
so we hand-pick our candidates for each position available. We also stick with the candidates that we believe in,
especially for a long-term position - or even a long term relationship with us. Some of our first placements are
still in their job, and now they are essentially our clients as they hire additional staff.
All positions that are support-related for the High Net Worth individuals, for both their corporate jobs and their
home. We place everything from the Housekeeper to the Estate Manager, the Executive Personal Assistant to the
Chief of Staff.
Someone who really "gets it": a true service heart with long-term experience in private service with one family or
a background in hospitality.
5. What type of hospitality experience would you consider?
Someone who is trained, such as the Ritz Carlton level, or trained to work with a family in the hotel environment.
Someone who understands the expectations of that level, along with the ability to anticipate their needs.
6. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where...

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We work nation-wide. We do have more positions in the New York area, but we work with clients throughout the
country.
etc.?
We don't look for a degree per se, but it is helpful. Now, it is also situation-specific. If someone was born into
service without a degree, we won't hold that against them. However, some of our CEO's expect a college
education for their Executive Assistants.
On www.EstateJobs.com
There is no online application. It is best to send me your resume and cover letter directly.
We do have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. I am a part of the DEMA LinkedIn group as well.
Email is the best first step. You can reach me at Steven@TheCalendarGroup.com

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CASSFORD MANAGEMENT, LLC
Owners: David and Kimberly Cassford
Corporate Office: 1702 Quicksburg Road
Quicksburg, VA 22847
1-800-503-9092
Website and Email: www.cassfordmanagement.com
info@cassfordmanagement.com
One advantage of a boutique agency is the ability to spend more time with each client and candidate, ensuring
the best possible match for both parties. For David and Kim Cassford, this personal attention is the cornerstone
of their business.
Unlike many husband- and-wife agency teams, both David and Kim have practical experience in the private
service industry, including not only fine homes but on yachts as well. Each can boast a 20-year long span of
experience in the private service industry.
David J. Cassford, founder of Cassford Management in 2002, has more than 20 years in international
private service. He is a British qualified professional with certification in Butler/ Administration and Estate
Management from the Ivor Spencer International School, London, England.
Kimberly Cassford, co-founder of Cassford Management, has been providing services for high net-worth
families and individuals for nearly 20 years. She is a specialist in staff structuring, organization and project
management. She holds certification as a Household Manager/Butler, a Cordon Bleu Diploma, and a BBA in
Accounting.
Their international and nationwide network of consultants and resources are specialists who have been
preliminary screened and have a proven track record with Cassford Management. They travel on assignment
nationwide and overseas as needed and supervise all third party vendors serving as an exclusive resource to
Cassford Management LLC.
As an agency, Cassford Management is an experienced, credentialed and discreet luxury estate and
hospitality advisory service specializing in staffing, household staff training, estate and household manuals,
management and other luxury lifestyle consulting. Cassford Management's luxury lifestyle support services save
HNW individuals’ time, and enhance and support their desired quality of life.
Kim Cassford gives more insight into how their agency has been successful for a decade...
Cassford Management has been in business for 13 years, established 2002, and an award winning firm recognized
for best concierge solution 2014 and best concierge solution / specialist service firm 2015.
Cassford Management is unique as its founders are both seasoned qualified professionals who have served
internationally in every role in a domestic service capacity from Yacht Crew to Houseman, Driver, Butler, Chef,
Personal Assistant, House Manager and Estate Manager.
The founders, Kim and David Cassford, truly understand and enjoy working with candidates. In short "we get it.”
You can find the profile about the founders on the website, www.cassfordmanagement.com under the tab "Who
We Are."
Cassford Management specializes in household staff placement.

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These positions include, but not limited to Housekeeper, Nanny, Domestic Couple, Butler, House Manager, Estate
Manager, Major Domo, and Personal Assistant.
Cassford Management has a unique approach with working with candidates. There is no specific framework or
"ideal" candidate.
All candidates have different attributes and our job and dedication is to assist in finding the candidate the "ideal"
position.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where…
Cassford Management places nationwide and internationally.
etc.?
Cassford Management does not box in candidates with specific credentials. All applicants are welcome to register
and/or reach out if they have a question.
Cassford Management announces openings under the candidate tab on the Cassford Management website.
A candidate that would like to register is welcome to register via on-line. There is a candidate FAQ, instructions,
and candidates are always welcome to call the main office at 1-800-503-9092.
Yes.
www.cassfordmanagement.com
Telephone: 1-800-903-9092
Email: info@cassfordmanagement.com

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CHRISTOPHER BAKER STAFFING
Founder: Christopher Baker
Corporate Office: 1041 North Formosa Ave
The Lot- Writers Building #317
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-7900
Website and Email: www.christopherbakerstaffing.com
chris@christopherbakerstaffing.com
Within the private service realm, it is always surprising about how much one person can accomplish in a day,
especially with dedicated hard work and true expertise. Sometimes an agency can displays those same
characteristics...
Christopher Baker, owner of Christopher Baker Staffing, has spent the last 15 years in the private service
staffing business -- first as a national recruiter and account executive for the nation's foremost retained search
firm specializing in private service for high net-worth families and their offices; and since 2004, at the helm of his
own Los Angeles-based company, Christopher Baker Staffing.
Christopher Baker Staffing enjoys a reputation of providing personalized and discreet staffing on a
contingency basis for clients in major markets across the US. Background checks on candidates (professional and
personal references, driving, credit, crime, civil and education, etc...) are conducted in-house.
Since 2004 (although I have been a recruiter in the private service industry since 1999).
This is a small, discreet and personalized agency, devoted to making the perfect match.
Estate and Household Managers, Butlers, Personal and Executive Assistants, Private Chefs, and “Lifestyle”
positions such as personal trainers, yacht and aviation personnel, stylists and more.
A career private service professional with excellent long-term references who is able to pass a complete
background check.
Primarily California, Colorado, Texas, Florida and New York
etc.?
College degree and a private service school training are ideal.

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Estatejobs.com and private email blasts.
Email updated unformatted resume as a MS Word document attachment to chris@christopherbakerstaffing.com
Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA)
chris@christopherbakerstaffing.com
www.christopherbakerstaffing.com

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DEDICATED DOMESTICS
Owner: Jeff Nelson
Office: 14 Corporate Plaza, Suite 120
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 612-1900
Fax: (949) 612-1998
Website: www.DedicatedDomestics.com
Dedicated Domestics and Nannies is a full service in-home staffing agency. They
have been trusted by Orange County families to find the most qualified and loving Nannies, Babysitters and
Housekeepers available. All candidates are pre-screened, complete a formal application, have verifiable
references and have a face-to-face interview prior to being introduced to any family.
Their strict screening process includes: a Criminal Background Search, Reference Checks, TB Tested and CPR
Certified Candidates, TrustLine registration (for child caregivers) and more. Jeff Nelson tells us more about this
unique agency:
Building on over a decade of previous experience as a provider and recruiter in the private service sector,
Dedicated Domestics and Nannies was established in 2004.
Dedicated Domestics success is owed to carefully matching the needs and requirements of its clients with the
skills and experience of its highly respected candidates. As a local boutique agency all candidates meeting the
agencies criteria are personally interviewed by one of the owners. To encourage professional growth, periodic
training classes offer candidates a chance to develop interviewing skills and to interact with others in their field.
Nannies
Babysitters
Housekeepers
House and Estate Managers
Chefs and Chauffeurs
Companions and Elder Caregivers
Personal Assistants
Domestic Couples
Nanny Specialists (Special Needs)
Newborn and Multiples Specialists
We require our candidates to have at least three years of experience or related experience in the position they
are looking for. Candidates must also have verifiable references, CPR certification, have a valid driver’s license
with a clean driving record and pass a criminal background check. In addition, our candidates must have the
right attitude and desire to be in this industry before we will consider representing them. We take great pride in
the candidates that we represent and want them to be the best because we want them to succeed.

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As a local agency we prefer to place in and around Orange County, CA so we can maintain the highest level of
personalized service and where we can represent the most qualified candidates.
etc.?
Previous experience and great references are most requested by our clientele. It is important to understand that
each position and family has unique requirements. At least some college is often requested from families with
older children that may need some help with homework. While some families will look for special training most
are mainly interested in experience.
Some positions are listed on our Twitter or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dedicated.domestics
However, most positions are not posted publically. Many positions are emailed to specific candidates that have
already completed an application and met with us so we know what their needs are.
Both are used. Our application helps us learn a little more about each potential candidate so we can find them
the best position for their skills. We need a resume that will be your introduction to families. Personally written
resumes are preferred since only you know what you have accomplished. Our online application can be found
at: http://www.dedicateddomestics.com/applicants.html
Yes. We are members of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA), the International Nanny Association
(INA) and The Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA).
Dedicated Domestics and Nannies
14 Corporate Plaza, Suite 120
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: 949-612-1900
Fax: 949-612-1998
Email: Info@DedicatedDomestics.com
Website: www.DedicatedDomestics.com

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DISTINGUISHED DOMESTICS
Owner: Elise Lewis
Location: 20969 Ventura Blvd. Suite 205
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Phone: (818) 884-0400
Website/ Email:www.Distinguisheddomestics.com
DDS@distinguisheddomestics.com
Awarded the DEMA Agency of the Year award in 2012, Distinguished Domestics is highly respected in the industry.
Located just outside Beverly Hills, California, they are an agency for professionals that truly enjoys the work they
do. Respect is the name of their game, and Elise Lewis was kind enough to tell us more about her agency.
I started my first agency in Los Angeles in 1988, pre computers and before anyone had ever heard of an Estate
Manager. After the birth of my third child I decided to sell the agency. One year later, in 1990, I opened
Kensington Nannies, Ltd. which is still in existence and the parent company to Distinguished Domestic Services.
I think what makes our agency stand apart from the rest is the passion that I have for what I do. Coming in to the
office each day doesn’t feel like work to me, I truly enjoy my profession and would not trade what I do for any
other job. I treat each candidate with the utmost of respect regardless if they are applying for a housekeeping
position or a $250K Estate Manager’s position. I value the experience that each professional has acquired over
their years of working at private residences. When meeting with candidates, I give them my undivided attention
so that I can truly get to know them and make a long term placement for them. In addition, I have a very loyal
longtime client base, most of whom refer other clients; I have a large “word of mouth” reputation in Los Angeles,
which I feel blessed to have. At this point in my career and based on my years of experience, I try not to work
with a client who I know will be trouble and treat their employee’s unfairly. Also, after years of experience in this
field, I am not intimidated to ask details concerning the “vibe” of the Employers demeanor and the working
environment. I am a true employee advocate.
We place most positions in a private residence. Estate Managers, House Managers, Butlers, Drivers, Chefs,
Couples, Gardeners, Facility Maintenance Personnel, Personal Assistants, Handymen, Security, Companions,
Housekeepers and Nannies.
My ideal candidate is someone who truly enjoys their line of work, is honest, has great references and is willing
to commit to a long term placement.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where.
We place all over the country for our clients who are willing to pay relocation; it is usually for the big jobs on an
Estate (Estate Managers and/or couples). Most of our placements are in Southern California and primarily in the
Los Angeles area.

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etc..?
The degrees/certificates that each candidate has are always a bonus. We do not require them as criteria to
register with us. However, we do receive specific requests attached to the job order from our clients who may
require certain education be mandatory for eligibility. Our requirement to register with our agency is a minimum
of three years’ experience in the field in which you are applying to, with verifiable references.
We post them on our website and occasionally we will put them on LinkedIn and/or send out a tweet. For some
of the national searches, we also post on the DEMA website, The Caretakers Gazette website and The Domestic
Herald website.
8. How should a candidate apply for a job?
Do you want an online application, resume or both? We have a form on our website that a candidate can fill out
which we check daily, if they meet our requirements then we send them our full application. It is always best to
send us a resume as an email attachment. If they are already a registered applicant, they can either call our office
or send us an email.
We are a member of DEMA (Domestic Estate Managers Association) and we were awarded The Agency of Year
award in 2012. I have also attended conferences for APNA (Association for Professional Nanny Agencies) and INA
(International Nanny Association).
We are in the office every day Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. We welcome phone calls, but would prefer receiving
an email with a resume prior to a phone call. In today’s day and age, emails are a 24/7 thing.

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DOMESTICMATCH
Founder: Daniel Wood
Corporate Office: 1259 El Camino Real, Suite 233
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Tel. (650) 798-7988
EFax. (650) 899-1877
Website and Email: www.domesticmatch.com
info@domesticmatch.com
Whenever a new agency hits the scene, there is a question on if they can make it in the highly competitive private
service industry. So far, DomesticMatch is showing strong signs of being a long-term success.
Founded by Daniel Wood, an experienced Estate Manager / Private Chef, the unique agency relies on
innovative technology to match candidates with prospective employers. Their online job board is professional,
concise and easy-to-use. Additionally, they are one of the few agencies that provide referral fees for candidates.
Daniel gives us more insight into why he made the switch from private service professional to agency
owner...
We have been in business since 2012. Creating DomesticMatch has been a real labor of love; we look forward to
helping to simplify the lives of our clients and to provide excellent opportunities to our candidates. Our goal is to
provide our clients and the candidates we represent with outstanding personal service. We listen carefully to fully
understand our clients' needs and strive to make the right match, the first time. We take great pride in our work
and have a true passion for the service we provide.
Our experience working in private homes around the globe is what sets us apart from the competition. We have
over 25 years of experience in the hospitality field, with many of those years having been spent in private homes.
This experience enables us to connect with professionals that are currently working behind the scenes in the
world's finest homes
We understand, better than most, the special relationship that exists between household employers and
their staff. We are sensitive to the intricacies of domestic staffing and work tirelessly to create strong and healthy
relationships for our clients and candidates. We realize that the skill level of an employee can be just as important
as their personality.
We are a full-service domestic staffing agency, we place all household positions.
Our ideal candidate will have at least 3 years’ experience working in a private residence and will be able to provide
us with several excellent professional references. When we communicate with our candidates we are also looking
for clues that help us better understand their level of professionalism, we feel that how a candidate communicates
with us is how they will likely communicate with our clients.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where

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DomesticMatch is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the majority of our work is in this region. That being
said, we have recently filled great positions in New York City, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
etc.?
Many of our clients look for related, hands-on, work experience first but candidates with formal training in their
field will always attract more attention to their resume, even if a candidate has only attended a short training
seminar it shows a commitment to their chosen career path.
When a new position becomes available we reach out to candidates in our database first. If the new opportunity
is not a confidential search we will then post it on our job board http://www.domesticmatch.com/jobs/. We
encourage all of our candidates to keep a close eye on our job board, things change quickly and we work hard to
keep all listings current! We also use estatejobs.com and social media to help spread the word.
We encourage everyone to fill out our online application: http://www.domesticmatch.com/candidate-
application/ in the application, there is the possibility to upload a resume and cover letter.
DomesticMatch is a member of The Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA) and The International Nanny
Association (INA).
For general inquires please email us at info@domesticmatch.com

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DOMESTIC PLACEMENT NETWORK (DPN) AND ESTATEJOBS.COM
Founder: David Gonzalez
Corporate Office: PO Box 1326
Ojai, CA 93024
Phone: (805) 640-3608
Website and Email: http://dpnonline.com
www.estatejobs.com
info@dpnonline.com
If you're on LinkedIn, you are probably already aware of EstateJobs.com and David Gonzalez. His LinkedIn group,
EstateJobs.com, has gained nearly 3,000 members since its’ founding in September 2008. So who is David
Gonzalez anyway?
David Gonzalez is the Owner / Manager of Domestic Placement Network. His insight into estate
management and staffing comes from several years of personal interaction with high profile clients around the
world. Through his former role in private service, and now as owner of a domestic agency, he understands the
many nuances of the household staffing business. He is also the author of The Insider’s Guide to Household
Staffing, 2nd
Ed., Private Service Secrets They DO Want You to Know, and has been quoted in several major
publications including The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Ritz Carlton Magazine, and on
CBS Radio.
Originally from Connecticut, David attended Penn State University where he earned a Marketing degree
in 1992. After brief stints in Finance and Retail, he went to work for a television and radio personality as Personal
Assistant and Household Manager. He spent several years traveling worldwide, in service to not just his employer,
but working on a very personal level with exclusive clients. He was privileged to see “both sides of the coin” as an
Assistant behind the scenes, and at times as an honored guest in the estates, cars, yachts, and jets of celebrities
and top business personalities.
The search for a new position in 2000 led him to the domestic agency business where he discovered a
perfect fit for all of his talents. With experience as Household Manager and Personal Assistant, a true
understanding of the luxury lifestyle, and a solid business background, he started Domestic Placement Network.
He quickly established the agency as a national presence in the field and gained a reputation for being informative
and helpful to candidates and clients alike.
We are in our 15th
year of business on the Agency side, and EstateJobs.com is almost 10 years old.
We were one of the first in our business to use a network of staffing partners throughout the country to expand
our reach to top candidates. This gave clients more choices and wider reach while working with just one agency.
In 2005, we added the job board service EstateJobs.com to connect more applicants with more jobs through
several agencies and directly with employers. Overall this creates a “something for everyone” service whether a
client needs full agency search support or just wants to source more candidates for their own, in-house search.
Another strength is the experience of having been a Personal Assistant and House Manager myself. I had a unique
opportunity to see the “behind the scenes” while traveling to many high net worth homes with my former
employer. In 2002 I published a book about staffing privately called The Insider’s Guide to Household Staffing, and

32
the current edition now informs thousands of private staff and employers about the industry of private service
employment and the successful hiring of staff.
Both our agency and job board focus on full time positions at the estate level where either management or
specialized, trained services are required. This usually includes Estate Managers, House Managers, Butlers, Chefs,
Domestic Couples, Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants and Housekeeping Managers.
The main criteria we always look for is full time, high-end experience. Ultimately our client is paying us to source
employees with a demonstrable career record of success in other, similar homes. Following depth of experience,
we are looking for the “total package” including a professional appearance, pleasant demeanor, great people
skills, and a “client first” service attitude. The more evidence you can present for your history in service, the
better.
Our service covers the United States primarily. The job board is open to international positions but at this time it
is mainly USA focused.
etc.?
We always appreciate applicants with specialized training. By itself, education cannot override lack of experience,
but it does enhance a candidate’s overall presentation. We recommend continuing education and certification to
everyone in the field regardless of their experience. Professional development is a great idea for anyone who has
the time and resources available.
Though many of our listings remain private, we often email candidates about certain positions or post jobs at two
online locations. The first is our agency website at www.dpnonline.com, and the second is www.estatejobs.com
where we list jobs selectively based on the need for additional potential candidates.
The application process for our agency begins online. We have become very selective with who may apply, so we
require any potential candidates to first email their complete resume for consideration. If approved, we offer very
detailed instructions to complete the online portion, and then to turn in additional documentation via postal mail
and/or email. Once the full portfolio is assembled we conduct interviews by phone or in person.
We are currently a member agency and sponsor of DEMA. (The Domestic Estate Managers Association)
We are usually available during Pacific Time office hours from 10 am to 4 pm, M-F, and by appointment. We
appreciate telephone calls for any reason and we are very technology savvy here in the office. We handle ongoing
correspondence through emails, phone calls, and social media. We also have one of the largest private service
groups on LinkedIn to connect with the community of job seekers, agencies, and employers.

33
FEIGON HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP (AND CHILDCARE AND DOMESTIC STAFF)
Principals: Susan Feigon and Gail Hamilton
Corporate Office: (800) 801-6434
Fax 800-801-6434
California Office: Susan Feigon
susan@feigonhamilton.com
(415) 883-8001
Colorado Office: Gail Hamilton
gail@feigonhamilton.com
(970) 627-1280
Website: www.feigonhamilton.com
http://www.feigonhamilton.com/blog
Childcare and Domestic Staff
Principal: Debbie Bozarth
Location and Phone: San Francisco Bay Area
(415) 455-8003
Feigon Hamilton is one of the well-known agencies in the private service industry, thanks to the long-term
reputations of the principals, Susan Feigon and Gail Hamilton. With base offices in California and Colorado, their
placements reach across the country and even abroad.
According to Susan and Gail, "We are discriminating in our selection process; we represent only the most
qualified household and estate staff to our clientele in high-end searches for family offices, estates, and
households. Communication is key: we will always articulate the reasoning behind our presentations and are
available to discuss in depth the background of any of our candidates. Our specialty is management level staff (not
a complete list, and titles change within households): Director of Property and Services, Estate Managers,
Household Managers, Butlers, Facilities Managers, Personal Assistants, Chefs and other service and household
professionals. Assessing your staffing needs along with an acute awareness of Risk Management in an estate or
household goes beyond just hiring. Included in a search is not only the candidate's skill sets, but experience and
schooling and personality matches backed up with intense interviews, reference checks and professional
background investigations. This combination is imperative for success in the private service industry."
They have also recently added a new division called “Childcare and Domestic Staff” headed by Debbie
Bozarth in the San Francisco Bay Area. This particular division places baby nurses, nannies, family assistants,
companions, housekeepers and housemen in addition to Feigon Hamilton’s other services.
Feigon Hamilton has been in business since 2005 but the principals, Susan Feigon and Gail Hamilton have worked
in the industry since the early 90’s.
Our focus is on staff retention and successful integration. We are advocates for both the client and the
candidate/employee through the process of interviewing/hiring and eventually on the job support.

34
We specialize in national searches for management level staff. Family Office personnel, estate managers, chief of
staff, general managers, household managers, property managers, personal assistants, chefs and couples. We do
staff nannies, housekeepers and companions for our exclusive long-term clients.
True service providers with a positive attitude and respect for the industry. When working with an agent,
understanding that they are your “promoter” and when asked for information, full disclosure, clarity and timely
responses are appreciated. It is best if they remember that the interview starts with the first email…. The more
you help us, the better prepared we are to represent you!
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where?
We staff nation-wide and internationally on occasion.
etc.?
Advanced degrees are highly desired these days for management positions. Many clients that are looking for a
chef require a 4 year culinary degree; security positions need training; head of family office positions require CPA,
CFO or similar backgrounds; traditional household management employees have on the job experience but a
private service school can enhance their expertise and help streamline their job.
On Feigon Hamilton’s website: www.feigonhamilton.com
8. How should a candidate apply for a job?
Do you want an online application, resume or both? They apply online and will be navigated through our process
by asking for basic information as well as their current resume.
International Association for Private Service Professionals (IAPSP) and Domestic Estate Managers Association
(DEMA).
We can be reached through our website; http://www.feigonhamilton.com or directly into email at:
info@feigonhamilton.com

35
THE GRAPEVINE AGENCY
Owner: Lori Briller
Corporate Office: 139 South Beverly Drive, No. 334
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(818) 986-1906
Fax 818-279-0700
New York Office: Rachel Zaslansky Sheer
(310) 601-7442
Fax 310-601-7430
Website and Email: www.thegrapevineagency.com
lori@thegrapevinela.com
Many agencies choose to specialize in either the private service industry or in the corporate sector. For The
Grapevine Agency, their services provide a one-stop shop for executives to find not only top business talent, but
staff for their homes as well. Serving both the New York and Los Angeles markets, The Grapevine Agency also
specializes in the entertainment industry, backed with their own real-world experience in the field.
This coming June [2012] will be 7 years.
We feel we are unique in 2 ways. First of all, we cover both domestic and corporate divisions. If a CEO needs
assistance in their office, and we learn their likes, their culture and who they are. We feel that it then makes sense
to be able to work with them to staff their homes, should they need to hire. The needs of the office may be slightly
different, however, as employers, the culture and style match is similar to what they want from their private
service employees. This way, we feel we can be one-stop shopping for the employer.
The other way that we feel we are unique is that The Grapevine Agency specializes primarily in servicing
the entertainment sector. It is a fairly specific world and since both of us have worked as assistants and executives
at top tier agencies and production companies in this sector, we feel that we know first-hand what the clients
really seek from someone. Having had the "inside" experience is valuable. Most of our competitors in this direct
market have never worked in entertainment and therefore at the end of the day are speculating to what the world
is really like. When we speak with our clients I believe that they appreciate our "understanding" and "insider
knowledge".
Additionally, because we both worked in this sector, we happen to also know many of the executives that
need assistance which makes life easier as well. The HR departments or the hiring areas don't have to explain it
all to us.
We mostly cater to folks in the entertainment industry, celebrities and high-net worth individuals whose lives are
very busy. We place high level Executive Assistants, Administrative assistants, personal assistants as well as
nannies, housekeepers, chefs, estate managers, chefs and security.

36
Our ideal candidate is someone who has a good track record, has good common sense, takes pride in what they
do, has good values but most importantly has a good work ethic. What we find quite alarming is the amount of
folks who don't really want to work hard. We do realize that there has to be a level playing field, meaning that
employers shouldn't be able to take advantage and we try as best we can to set up guidelines for our employers.
But we do see so many folks without a true work ethic. Folks are more lax. If we are going to represent someone,
they need to know they are also representing The Grapevine Agency. Our standards are high. We want people
to have longevity (not including folks who have been downsized in this recent economy), who are willing to give
110% and take pride in what they do.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where:
We generally place in Los Angeles and New York.
etc.?
Our clients seek applicants with 3 plus years of experience. We generally like people who have been a personal
assistant for 3 plus years as well as nannies, housekeepers, chefs, estate managers etc... From time to time we
do have a client that seeks either part time help or someone who is less expensive and therefore we can work
with someone with less experience.
Our job blog: www.thegrapevineagency.com.
If someone sees a job that is truly a match to their experience and does not seek a career change, then can email
us directly. lori@thegrapevinela.com
No
lori@thegrapevinela.com

37
HARPER AND ASSOCIATES
President: Ben Schwartz
Corporate Office: 31000 Northwestern Highway
Suite 240
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 932-1170
Website and Email: http://www.harperjobs.com/
ben@harperjobs.com
cindy@harperjobs.com
Many private service agencies can boast a long and successful history, but few can say they have been in business
for over four decades.
Established in 1968, Harper Associates is one of the most reputable and long-standing recruitment firms in
Michigan. In more recent years, as a result of referrals from satisfied clients, Harper has also developed a
recruitment niche for other professionals which include: executive level administrative support staff, and
estate/private service personnel.
President Ben Schwartz tells us more about this long-standing agency...
Since 1968
We have been in business for more than 40 years.
The company President, Ben Schwartz, is a hospitality school graduate. In addition to private service, we also
handle recruitment in the hospitality industry. Very often, we can help someone transition from a luxury (4 or 5
star) hospitality property to private service.
Private Chefs, Estate Managers, House Managers, Estate Housekeepers, Nannies, Butlers, Domestic Couples,
Maintenance Coordinators. In the hospitality industry we also place Hotel GMs, Food & Beverage Directors,
Executive Chefs, Rooms Executives, Chief Concierges and others.
Solid track record, stable work history with previous estate employers accompanied by references, strong work
ethic and a service oriented personality. A clear background check is also ideal.
Our primary focus is in Michigan and the Midwest. We also do some placement s in Florida (Palm Beach, etc...),
New York, The Hamptons, and other random locations on occasion.

38
etc...?
A degree is often a plus but not always required, depending on the position. Culinary training is desirable for
Private Chef opportunities. Private Service training is also beneficial but not necessarily required.
Our website (www.harperjobs.com) and specialty job boards. Many jobs are confidential so we do not openly
advertise them.
Submitting a resume via email with a cover letter or note describing location preferences and a digital photo is
preferred.
DEMA (Domestic Estate Managers Association), Michigan State University Hospitality Business Alumni
Association, and various culinary and hospitality associations.
Email is preferred. Ben Schwartz: ben@harperjobs.com or Cindy Krainen: cindy@harperjobs.com

39
HEARTLAND ESTATE STAFFING
President: Betsy Needles
Corporate Office: 1018 Burlington Ave. Suite 105
Missoula, MT 59801
(800) 866-6266
Website and Email: www.estatestaffing.com
www.heartlandestatestaffing.com
Info@HeartlandEstateStaffing.com
As the only national private service agency in Montana, Heartland Estate Staffing still gains some of the more
interesting jobs out there...
For more than 25 years, Heartland Estate Staffing has placed professionals staffed the finest homes in America.
In 1984, Karen Walker Ryan started Heartland Nannies as a nationwide nanny placement agency. As their
services broadened, they changed our name to Heartland Caregivers. Today, their name – Heartland Estate
Staffing – reflects the wide variety of professional private service staff they place with their clients.
A few years ago, Karen Ryan passed the torch to Betsy Needles, a 12-year veteran of their staff.
1984 Heartland started as a Nanny agency and grew to meet our clients' needs as their families grew. I
personally have been with Heartland over 13 years, beginning as Karen Ryan’s assistant and moving into Estate
Placements to eventual owner of a proud & ethical agency.
Our screening, attention to detail and our true and heartfelt caring about making the right match, not just a
placement-we are honest and feel integrity counts!
You name it we will find it for our clients. But basically we run the gamut from Nannies to Couple Teams and
Estate Managers and even more Executive positions recently for Estate Managers and Personal Assistants (rare
but always very good positions when we have them)
Experienced, intelligent, flexible and willing to go the extra mile for their employer but someone who can also
be their own advocate. It is important when setting proper private service boundaries and standards in the work
place; be it a home or office.
5. Do you place across the country or locally? If so where.

40
We are a National Agency but it is always nice when we can assist a Montana family with their staffing needs.
etc.?
Heartland has always put a lot of stock in life experience but within the last couple of years the employers seem
to only consider more educated and trained employees making it harder for us to successfully place people with
the experience without the pay. So yes, training and education are great but experience in a private setting is
ultimately what we look for in our candidates.
We have a highly visible Web site where we keep all our listing current www.estatestaffing.com OR
www.heartlandestatestaffing.com we also advertise other sites; Domestic Herald, Estatejobs, Working couples
and Craig’s List if we are looking locally.
We ask for new candidates to visit our site and send us a resume and cover letter with the contact form for new
applicants.
Yes; DEMA, APNA, INA
We have an 800 number for our candidates and you can always email through our web site;
www.estatestaffing.com 800-866-6266

41
THE HELP COMPANY
Owner: Claudia Kahn
Los Angeles Office: 141 S Barrington Ave. Suite B
Brentwood, CA 90049
(310) 828-4111
New York Office: (917) 435-7336
San Francisco Office: 649 Mission Street 5th
Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 939-4357
Website: www.thehelpcompany.com
As an agency, The Help Company covers a lot of ground: full time placements, hourly work options and even in-
home training for select employers. While the agency was established in 1981, they are staying on top of the
latest developments in the industry.
The Help Company was the first nanny agency in Los Angeles, started over 30 years ago under the name
of Baby Buddies. Since then, they have expanded to serve a variety of personal staffing needs, placing
housekeepers, personal assistants, estate managers, and eldercare professionals as well as nannies.
In addition to placements, The Help Company also offers a premier list of consultants to the employers'
domestic staff. The goal is to have the principals' household run like a five star hotel in areas such as laundry,
cooking, housekeeping, etiquette, and organization.
They also offer a special hourly service for both candidates and employers known as "The Help Company
Club." When employers sign up for the club, The Help Company Club gives them unlimited access to their skilled
and professional candidates on an on-call basis. A membership will provide you with nannies, housekeepers, chefs,
chauffeurs, gardeners, security personnel, and assistants on an hourly basis, eldercare, butlers, party help, and
pet care.
Claudia Kahn gives us more insight about this long-running agency...
Baby Buddies opened in 1981 and we changed our name to The Help Company in 1990 to reflect the fact we were
placing more than just nannies.
We pride ourselves on not just “sending bodies.” When we do our job well and really listen to the needs of both
clients and candidates we are able to narrow the field and streamline the process so our clients are able to meet
only a few people and will hopefully have a hard time choosing between them. We also believe in advocating on
behalf of our candidates.
We place primarily Nannies, Baby Nurses, Housekeepers, Estate & House Managers, Butlers, Chefs, Personal &
Executive Assistants, Companions & Senior Care Specialists. We have also placed Engineers, Bookkeepers, Stylists,

42
and Ranch Managers, to name but a few out of the box searches. We love a challenge and will take on pretty
much any search having to do with your home or home office.
Our ideal candidate is a professional who is passionate about what he or she does, has five years’ experience in
his/her field of expertise, exemplary references and a service driven outlook.
We have offices in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles and the majority of our searches are in those
areas/surrounding areas, i.e. The Hamptons, Greenwich, Palo Alto, Malibu, and Santa Barbara; however, we have
filled positions in the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Europe and many other far off places as well.
etc....?
Special training is wonderful, but on the job experience is often the most critical component in our point of view.
Having classroom experience, while valuable, does not necessarily mean you will function at an optimum level in
a private home. That said, the combination meaningful certifications/training/degrees and on the job experience
is ideal.
On our website, www.thehelpcompany.com
We require a resume, a brief cover letter, an in-person meeting and references. When dealing with candidates
who are not local, we are happy to Skype.
We are proud members of The Association of Premiere Nanny Agencies (APNA), The Domestic Estate Managers
Association (DEMA) and the International Nanny Association (INA).
They can feel free to call us or reach out via email.
katie@thehelpcompany.com or claudia@thehelpcompany.com
310-828-4111

43
HIRE SOCIETY
President: Aleth Boisset
Corporate Office: 315 Madison Avenue, Floor 25
New York, NY 10017
50 Main Street, Floor 2
Southampton, NY 11968
Website and Email: www.hiresociety.com
submit@hiresoicety.com
hamptons@hiresociety.com
palmbeach@hiresociety.com
A relative newcomer on the luxury recruitment field, Hire Society was founded in 2012. Since then, they have
built a reputation for making quality placements for all levels of domestic staff or management roles. What truly
makes them unique is offering a mix of both corporate and residential positons.
Aleth Boisset tells us more about this robust agency…
Hire Society is a boutique staffing agency that specializes in the areas of home, administrative and executive job
placement. Our clients are comprised of private residences, corporations, and high net-worth individuals, all
seeking stellar and superior candidates to bring onto their respective teams.
At present, we have three offices; our flagship on Madison Avenue in New York City, our second office on Main
Street in Bridgehampton, NY, and our third in Palm Beach on Worth Avenue. Though each office maintains its own
members of leadership and subsequent team, all locals work collectively on many if not all assignments.
Hire Society prides itself on its outstanding and unified team. Unique to our agency is the past hospitality or private
home experience brought to the table by each individual employee. Though other agencies serve similar clients,
none have the background and level of hands-on understanding that all Hire Society staff possess.
Our position titles fall under one of two categories, “Corporate” and “Domestic.” Each client, company and home
is unique. What one may title a “House Manager,” another may title a “Personal Assistant,” “Executive
Housekeeper,” or “Estate Manager.” Thus, it is important to always keep in mind the specific needs of each client
and what job requirements and specifics they are looking for. Though the title may seem most important at first,
it is only a minor detail as compared to the responsibilities noted under each listed job.

44
An ideal candidate to Hire Society is one that takes esteem pride in his or her work and loves deeply their specific
field of service. He or she will have excellent longevity in all roles, outstanding references from both current and
previous employers and an incredibly hands-on attitude where no task is too vast or too small.
Hire Society is everywhere our clients both want and need us to be. With three locations across the US as well as
recruiters stationed globally, we have the ability to source and place candidates not only in the United States but
throughout Europe and worldwide.
etc.?
College degrees, certifications and additional trainings are of priority when speaking to the requirements our
clients uphold for their respective positions. Thus, any candidate who brings to the table a robust array of training
and education most certainly has an upper hand.
Available positions for apply can be located on our website, www.HireSociety.com, on Estate Jobs, Career Builder,
LinkedIn, and an additional assortment of genre-specific posting portals.
For any candidate interested in applying, best practice is to log onto our website and complete a candidate Profile.
Immediately following their submission a skilled recruiter will actively reach out in response and gauge
appropriate next steps.
Hire Society employees are all independent members of numerous clubs and professional associations in their
respective locales. Inclusive in these memberships are DEMA Tri State, DEMA Hamptons, DEMA Palm Beach, NY
Celebrity Assistants, and a host of additional genre-specific groups.
We look forward to entertaining any strong application via our website, or our direct submission addresses as
follows, by location:
New York City: submit@hiresoicety.com
Bridgehampton: hamptons@hiresociety.com
Palm Beach: palmbeach@hiresociety.com

HOME STAFFING NETWORK
Owner: Werner Leutert
Corporate Office: 2341 Pine Woods Circle
Naples, FL 34105
(239) 262-0724
Website and Email: http://www.homestaffingnetwork.com
info@homestaffingnetwork.com
In the private service placement world, one name seems to be known by everyone: Werner Leutert and his
company, the Home Staffing Network. Why? Because his goal is to truly build a network of professionals in the
estate management industry.
Taking a look at their website, www.homestaffingnetwork.com, shows Werner's commitment to the
industry. While the Home Staffing Network does offer placement services, they also provide information about
training, resume assistance and consulting arrangements to address specific private service issues. Not only that,
the site includes many resources for professionals including tools and tips.
The website also features a page for resources, listing a wide variety of books for private service.
But what truly makes the Home Staffing Network unique is that they are, in fact, a network of
professionals that represent various specialties and services of interest to private individuals and families. This
portfolio of individual specialists can variously help new clients to find top staff for their homes, assist in security
issues, aid in eldercare matters, consult on private estate construction, and provide private service training and
more. Visitors to the website are encouraged to contact the professionals directly - even other training and
staffing organizations.
Werner Leutert shares more information about his unique agency...
16 years
I was in private service myself as an Estate Manager and Butler and understand the various jobs in a private home
from the perspective of the employee and employer. My Associate, Jennifer Lordly Stemes working from our Palm
Beach, Florida office, was also in private service as a House Manager / Cook, for many years partnering with her
husband. We feel strongly that the extensive service experience of those of us at Home Staffing Network,
International assures Candidates and Clients we really do know the ins and outs of this business.
All positions that are based in a private residence setting and also some office based P/A positions which have
strong involvement in the private side of the employer
Persons with recent relevant experience in professional private service, good references, good presentation,
excellent communication skills
Nationwide and some international

46
etc?
Experience is the main criteria with me. Depending on the job, college degrees are important. Private Service
schooling can sometimes get the foot in the door if there is not much relevant experience.
I post them on my website and often reach out to partner agencies for referrals.
I start by requesting a resume and then follow up with a due diligence questionnaire
Domestic Estate Managers Association (DEMA)
Info@homestaffingnetwork.com
Here is a link that I often send out as resources for candidates:
http://www.homestaffingnetwork.com/tips-and-tools/

Guide to Private Service Agencies and Educators 2016

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