AJ2020

Household Manager

Top Standards:
Administrative
Clothing & Valet
Housekeeping

Prefers East Coast Florida

Speaks English, French and Spanish

I was born on the island of Jamaica, the fourth of five children. My mom was a warden at a women’s penitentiary and my father was a soldier in the Jamaica Defense Force. My grandmother, Sister Myrtle, and my great-grandmother, Miss Alice, raised me until I was 12. This was a common practice in Jamaican culture, as it eases the burden on young families.

I first realized my Service Heart around the age of six, living with my elders. As far as I can remember, I would help Sister Myrtle walk, as she had trouble with her legs (perhaps from osteoarthritis, an injury, or nerve damage). I spent my early years with many seniors who depended on me to help with strenuous tasks. Sister Myrtle and I were bosom buddies, virtually inseparable. I later discovered that Sister Myrtle was a cook to a private family. Her family valued her so much that when she retired, her name was written into their will, and she continued to receive checks from the family her entire life.

When I was 12 years old, I returned to live with my dad. My mother had previously moved to New York to work and pave a way for us to join her. On the weekends, my sister and I helped our live-in maid with housekeeping chores. Two years later, when we moved to New York, I assumed more responsibilities in our home, including cooking and cleaning for our family of seven, as both our parents worked.

After college, I landed a job as a Sales Analyst with Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, the company now known as Sanofi. I stayed with the company for 12 years, before deciding to leave the corporate world to raise my children.

I worked with my children and some of their friends in various areas of academia, at times assisting as many as seven students with their studies. I enjoyed helping them with SAT/ACT test prep, AP coursework, college applications, college visits, financial aid forms, college scholarship applications, summer jobs, internship applications and much more.

After my children left the home, I decided to re-enter the work force by pursuing a career in Private Service. My first career was administrative, the second, personal care. This third career, in Private Service, is a natural combination of the two. My Top Four Service Standards are Personal Care, (children, elderly, pets, guests), Administration, Clothing and Valet, and Housekeeping.

In my most recent assignment, I was Family Attendant to a family of seven: parents, three children, (including a pair of twins), a dog and a cat. I performed duties in Personal Care, Housekeeping and Clothing and Valet in a 35,000-square-foot nascent home. The kids, the dog and I were the ultimate troopers, often being a bit too rambunctious for the cat! We indulged in Minecraft, online games, slime, riddles, crossword puzzles, board games, homework, projects, capture-the-flag, hide-and-go-seek, property walks, amusement parks, tennis, basketball, table hockey, pinball, football, rollerblading, swimming, playing on trampolines, dancing, TV watching, running, sledding—you name it, we did it—all in the pursuit of fun, happiness, and peals of laughter.

From caring for the elderly, to working with high school students, to being a Family Attendant, my goal has been to support individuals or families in their desired lifestyle, to be their best selves, and to enjoy a certain “joie de vivre.” It has been an immensely satisfying journey.

In summary, I am passionate about learning, growing and adding to my skill set. I look forward to combining my Service Heart and my drive for excellence to support and improve the quality of life of an individual or a family. My only regret is not having embarked sooner on a career path in private care. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.

My top four Service Standards are: Personal Care, Administrative, Clothing & Valet, and Housekeeping.

Technical Skill Synopsis:

Administrative:

• Uses the patented Starkey Household Management System to structure the environment
• Possess excellent articulation in verbal, written and public speaking skills
• Researches, draft, edit, proof-read, and publish emails and documents
• Manages contacts, mailing lists, invitation lists, correspondence, personal files
• Comfortable hiring, training, and managing a staff
• Develops Employee Handbook to contain personnel policies
• Experienced in conflict resolution, time management and team-building skills
• Manages household budget including credit card reconciliations and balancing bank accounts
• Experienced developing and maintaining a budget for 20 people and $2 million dollars: petty cash, deposits, withdrawals, money transfers
• Detail-oriented and precise in business transactions and can negotiate fair prices
• Knowledge of payroll procedures, health insurance, disability insurance, catastrophic insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, vision benefits, 401(k) plans, IRA plans, Social Security benefits, payroll taxes etc.
• Able to digitize paper files and video recordings
• Proficient with business machines: computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, label makers, postage meters, scales
• High level of computer skills, Adobe, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Calendar programs: MS Outlook, Google. Internet Applications, iPad.  iPhone, Android, Windows: Smartphones and Apps, Mac Notebooks, PCs, Laptops
• Can handle phone conferences, video conferences and running errands
• Maintenance of manuals, records, specifications, how-to care, inventories, and warranties

Housekeeping:

• Implements customized zoning and task sheets for a home
• Works alongside housekeeper to train or support, as needed
• Familiar with proper tools and procedures for cleaning a home
• Able to create Daily, Weekly, and Seasonal task sheets for detailed cleaning
• Understand smells and Special Care cleaning products for: glass, chrome, silver, brass, copper, gold
• Skilled in bed-making and turndown
• Knowledge of Antique and fine rug care
• Driven to ensure meticulous housekeeping standards
• Maintains inventory of household cleaning supplies and tools

Culinary:

• Uses the Starkey Culinary Management System to identify flavor profiles and preferences
• Plans menu using Principal’s favorites, internet research, magazines, etc.
• Skilled at making excellent country breakfasts, light lunches, and simple dinners
• I can follow most recipes
• Ensures adequate stock of pantry items and comfort foods
• Obtains specialized products being mindful of sanitation and storage
• Creates food presentation using knowledge, internet research, magazines, etc.
• Works with a Personal Chef to develop menus and inventories
• Supports Chef with grocery shopping and preparation of items, as needed

Clothing & Valet:

• Determine Principal’s clothing style to support Personal Shopping needs
• Manages dry cleaning including logging items in and out, and repairs needed
• Acts as personal shopper and online ordering management
• Highly skilled at clothing care, shoe care, purse care and closet organization
• Careful handling specialty fabric, shoes, leathers, and accessories
• Familiar with sports clothing, equestrian wear, outdoor gear
• Knowledge of furs in wear, treatment, and storage
• Can launder, steam and iron clothing and linens
• Skilled at sewing buttons, closing seams, and performing minor clothing repairs
• Can rotate clothing for seasonal storage
• Can pack and unpack for business and leisure travel
• Has a personal interest in clothing and fashion

Entertaining:

• Uses Starkey’s Ballet of Service to plan events ranging from casual to formal
• Determine Principal’s Entertainment style and style of events
• Comfortable managing and executing entertainment events within the home
• Manages caterers, vendors, and household staff in preparation of, and during, events
• Develops guest list and high-profile involvements
• Develops ambiance, floral arrangements, and themes
• Familiar with table linens, china, silverware, and crystal and care thereof
• Can ensure Stocking and maintenance of the wine cellar
• Basic knowledge of Wine, wine paring, mixing and serving of beverages and alcohol
• Creates amenity and gift-wrapping center and system
• Ensures safety of all guests during event and after; notices impaired driving and finds alternate solutions

Grounds & Property:

• Creates zoning and task sheets using the Starkey system
• Determines principals’ preferences
• Hires and supervises vendors in the care of property & grounds
• Walks property to identify any areas of concern and addresses them with Principal or vendors

Maintenance:

• Identifies unique maintenance needs based on age of residence and physical location/climate
• Comfortable working with engineers, inspectors, contractors, and attorneys regarding special projects and needs
• Acts as point of contact for all internal and external vendors
• Provides oversight of projects and punch lists for new construction, renovations, installations, deliveries, removals
• Very good at keeping products in compliance with warranties, procedures, and statutes
• Comfortable researching, hiring, and supervising vendors for routine maintenance and special needs
• Develops relationships with vendors

Transportation & Travel:

• Intermediate French, Language Skills, Conversational Spanish Language Skills
• Have traveled worldwide: can pick up and go without delay
• Careful, competent, and confident driving ability with NY State Driver’s License
• Very good at planning, operations, and logistics
• Has a personal interest in luxury transportation vehicles
• Maintains vehicle licensing, registration, inspections, and insurance
• Develops auto maintenance and detailing schedules
• Arranges for travel, ground transportation preferences, and lodging
• Arranges for chauffeur for Principal and other members of entourage
• Maintains records of all vehicles including make, model, and service history
• Maintains records of recreational and sports vehicles
• Supports transportation via boats and yachts
• Familiar with scheduling and arranging for travel via private plane

 Safety and Protection:

• Fiercely loyal and protective of employer’s environment: a problem solver
• Able to quickly assess environment and initiate security measures
• Determines any variables that may pose safety concerns
• Obtains and supervises vendor to take care of Security and Protection: body guards, dogs, audio/visual systems, safe rooms, weapons, and drivers,
• Develops relationships with local Police and Fire Departments to periodically conduct safety and security inspections
• Checks all smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers for proper function
• Walks home daily to identify any safety concerns
• Ensures safe environment for Principals, staff, and guests at all times

Personal Care:

Child Care:

• Supports family values and discipline, as appropriate
• Assess environment to ensure safety of all children
• Supports wake-up and bedtime routines for all ages
• Assists with bathing and grooming for daily activities and special events
• Identifies favorites and preferences for children
• Keeps calendar of daily schedules, school activities and social activities
• Maintains child-specific inventory of toiletries and school supplies
• Provides educational support in Math, English, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies, French, Biology, Chemistry, History, and Standardized Test Preparation
• Provides coaching, mentoring, supervision, and guidance in academics, career choices, and extra-curricular activities
• Assists with Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and college visits
• Provides daily transportation for children in addition to sports, art, music lessons and competitions
• Chaperones play-dates, sleep-overs, and school trips

Pet Care:

• Supports family’s pet care style and discipline
• Supports pet-care schedules, daily activities, and special security measures, like invisible fence
• Interacts with pets to feed, walk, play with, and provide daily care
• Manages appointments with vet, trainer, groomer, and other pet-specific vendors
• Provides special toys/resting area, special clothing, accommodates special dietary needs

Guest Care:

• Will employ Starkey Guest Management System
• Coordinates visits from other family members, friends, and business associates
• Identifies preferences and favorites and ensures all needs are met
• Inquires about daily schedules and suggests interesting activities or events
• Ensures all food requests are prepared for and supported including special diets and flavor profiles
• Provides concierge support for reservations and special requests
• Provides administrative support for equipment/technology and guest room amenities
• Provides Pick-up and Drop-off services at airport, train terminal, etc.
• Prepares guest rooms for arrival with special attention given to requests and amenities

Elder Care:

• New Jersey Board Certified as Home Health Aide
• Mindful of life values, ethnic, religious, and cultural beliefs
• Assists with wake-up and bedtime routines, daily schedules, and activities
• Supports daily grooming, bathing, and dressing needs
• Identifies flavor profiles, favorites, and preferences
• Supports those with limited mobility including ADA access, Wheelchairs, Scooter, and Special Bathroom Supports
• Manages calendars for social functions, medical appointments, and entertainment engagements
• Provides transportation to appointments for medical, dental, vision, hair, aestheticians, therapists, pharmacists
• Manages medical records and safety measures such as life alert bracelets and medical ID’s

Accompanies elders on trips to visit with friends or relatives