How grit, confidence, a great attitude and an even greater work ethic moved me up

I started working for private homes many moons ago. It was 2007. No Google. No LinkedIn. No networking events. Just hard work to prove my worth.

I nannied for a decade, and through that work, I unknowingly learned many skills that I would need to move up the household staff ladder. I truthfully didn't even know or hear of a Household Manager career until about 2017. At that time, the internet was very well up and running, and I quickly realized I had many skills and years behind me but lacked overall experience in the most random tasks. I set out to do just that. At 30 years old. Unheard of.

I roamed the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn with my MetroCard and did it all. I was a Wag walker to get experience with different dogs at all hours of the day and night. I organized closets and did overseas packing jobs for one-time clients. I serviced and waited at the most fabulous and exclusive dinner parties in Southampton (with no waitressing experience—ever!). I started running Personal Assistant errands, including grocery runs and dry-cleaning pickups. I was filling in for housekeepers and getting trained by the country's best laundresses (and I still don't know how to iron!). I started going to House Manager networking events. All of them.

I was learning about blinds and lighting and antique furniture and polishing silver. I was a sponge. Give it all to me. I worked HARD. I was scraping by on my struggle bus, but I knew I would land a big client soon. And I did. And then another and another.

One thing I always had behind me was my work ethic. My 24/7 attitude was driven by a passion to show everyone that, yes, I was in my 30s, but I could roll with the big ones who had decades of experience because I wanted to learn and be great. I believed I was great. I believed I was unstoppable.

It paid off. I look back now, and I'm so proud of that girl. I am so happy with my current Principals and so thankful for all of my experiences. I now belong to groups of household staffers and share my knowledge, contacts, and expertise with anyone who asks.

I want everyone to win in this cutthroat, niche, unheard-of field, and I believe my story, if nothing else, shows the New Yorker mentality pays off in the end.