Entrepreneur Spotlight: Inside of the Elite Recruiting World
1. My business and how I got started: I started as a celebrity personal assistant to Hollywood types, high-net-worth families and even royalty. As I approached 40, I decided it was time to pass the torch, so I started an employment agency dedicated to top tier executive assistants for celebrities and billionaires. I know being an elite personal assistant seems like a crazy thing to give up but being on private jets and eating at the world’s best restaurants gets to you after a while when you’re working 18-hour days, seven days a week. Of course, all PA jobs to super-rich families don't have those kinds of long hours, but the more money you make, the longer your hours will be.
2. Why my product/service is better than the competition: Almost all corporate and domestic staffing agencies are high-volume “Jack of all trades” operations. They try to be all things to all people, and they don’t specialize in anything. I am the world’s only consultancy dedicated to personal assistants. Additionally, I’m the only celebrity headhunter that’s actually worked with A-list, royalty and billionaires. Most employment agents never have a bio on their website because there isn’t anything remarkable about their experience. Essentially, other employment agents are salespeople working on commission.
3. A typical day for me: My day is always different, and that’s exciting for me (even though I’m not on private jets, I still find it rewarding). Believe it or not, I spend a lot of time on the road — in and out of the country. I have clients all over the world. Many employers hire me for a month to move into a mega-mansion and revamp their home office and retrain their staff, so it’s not just about making personal assistant placements. Additionally, I offer 24/7 worldwide concierge services (invite only), so when I make a placement, that personal assistant gets back-office support through my Network.
4. What I love most about my business: I love that every single day is different. For example, one day I answered the phone and I found out a Middle Eastern prince was going to fly me to Dubai for two months to work with his staff. Also, since I work with many of the world’s top 1%, I get an inside look at business operations to Fortune 500 executives and other types of ultra-high-net-worth families. That’s very rewarding and educational!
5. I’m cool because: I don’t take myself that seriously. Sure, I’ve been exposed to the world’s finest things, but I am a very simple person and easy-to-please. I’m not into being fancy at all.
6. If my friends nominated me for an award, it would be “Most Likely to…outlast all of my competitors”. If there is one thing you can always count on, it is that competitors can and do get complacent. To the best of my knowledge, I’m the only headhunter that offers concierge service: 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. When other employment agencies are closed at 5 pm, plus on weekends and holidays, I’m going the extra mile and providing world-class service that’s unparalleled in the industry at large.
7. A movie made about my life it would be named: “Can’t be stopped”
8. Strangest thing you’d find in my fridge, wallet or closet: My fridge is filled with flavored-carbonated water, my wallet isn’t name brand, and my closet is sparse.
9. Personal qualities I admire most in others: honesty and ethics
10. Three things I hope to accomplish in the next five years:
Recruiter Bio:
Before becoming a celebrity assistant to Hollywood stars and high net worth families, Brian Daniel started out in the hospitality business — working at some of the world’s highest-profile properties. Brian’s first personal assistant job was with a member of the Johnson & Johnson family, and eventually he became the Chief of Staff and Travel Manager for a high-ranking division of the Saudi Royal Family. Brian started The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network (a placement agency) 15 years ago.
2. Why my product/service is better than the competition: Almost all corporate and domestic staffing agencies are high-volume “Jack of all trades” operations. They try to be all things to all people, and they don’t specialize in anything. I am the world’s only consultancy dedicated to personal assistants. Additionally, I’m the only celebrity headhunter that’s actually worked with A-list, royalty and billionaires. Most employment agents never have a bio on their website because there isn’t anything remarkable about their experience. Essentially, other employment agents are salespeople working on commission.
3. A typical day for me: My day is always different, and that’s exciting for me (even though I’m not on private jets, I still find it rewarding). Believe it or not, I spend a lot of time on the road — in and out of the country. I have clients all over the world. Many employers hire me for a month to move into a mega-mansion and revamp their home office and retrain their staff, so it’s not just about making personal assistant placements. Additionally, I offer 24/7 worldwide concierge services (invite only), so when I make a placement, that personal assistant gets back-office support through my Network.
4. What I love most about my business: I love that every single day is different. For example, one day I answered the phone and I found out a Middle Eastern prince was going to fly me to Dubai for two months to work with his staff. Also, since I work with many of the world’s top 1%, I get an inside look at business operations to Fortune 500 executives and other types of ultra-high-net-worth families. That’s very rewarding and educational!
5. I’m cool because: I don’t take myself that seriously. Sure, I’ve been exposed to the world’s finest things, but I am a very simple person and easy-to-please. I’m not into being fancy at all.
6. If my friends nominated me for an award, it would be “Most Likely to…outlast all of my competitors”. If there is one thing you can always count on, it is that competitors can and do get complacent. To the best of my knowledge, I’m the only headhunter that offers concierge service: 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. When other employment agencies are closed at 5 pm, plus on weekends and holidays, I’m going the extra mile and providing world-class service that’s unparalleled in the industry at large.
7. A movie made about my life it would be named: “Can’t be stopped”
8. Strangest thing you’d find in my fridge, wallet or closet: My fridge is filled with flavored-carbonated water, my wallet isn’t name brand, and my closet is sparse.
9. Personal qualities I admire most in others: honesty and ethics
10. Three things I hope to accomplish in the next five years:
- To be placing personal assistant positions that pay a minimum of $150,000 a year. Right now my minimum is $80K, but most of the placements are in the $100K range (U.S. dollars).
- To be producing a TV show about assistants
- Although I do make international placements now, I would like to open an official brick-and-mortar office in London.
Recruiter Bio:
Before becoming a celebrity assistant to Hollywood stars and high net worth families, Brian Daniel started out in the hospitality business — working at some of the world’s highest-profile properties. Brian’s first personal assistant job was with a member of the Johnson & Johnson family, and eventually he became the Chief of Staff and Travel Manager for a high-ranking division of the Saudi Royal Family. Brian started The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network (a placement agency) 15 years ago.
