Brian Daniel: The Billionaire Whisperer
It's not easy to tame a billionaire, but one former assistant has it down pat. Brian Daniel had a successful career serving celebrities, royalty, and ultra-high net worth families as a PA and Chief of Staff. He's now a headhunter for affluent families, and Daniel has taken 30 years of experience working for the world's super-rich and turned it into a professional business.
Daniel's company, The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, does recruitment for the well-to-do all over the world. If a billionaire comes calling, Brian can be there offering concierge service. "Going above and beyond the call of duty is what I'm all about," exclaims Daniel. "When other headhunters are closed at 5:00 pm and on weekends, I'm answering my phone and providing world-class service after hours."
Daniel's company, The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, does recruitment for the well-to-do all over the world. If a billionaire comes calling, Brian can be there offering concierge service. "Going above and beyond the call of duty is what I'm all about," exclaims Daniel. "When other headhunters are closed at 5:00 pm and on weekends, I'm answering my phone and providing world-class service after hours."
Why are some clients possibly broken hearted?
Brian on location at a palace
The former, feisty assistant won't just take any client, so some are disappointed when their request for service is rejected. And, let's face it, the super-rich don't like to be rejected. "I don't take just anybody," says Brian with light-hearted charm. "The compensation packages have to be very competitive because my staffing firm is known for world-class jobs. If potential clients start to cut corners on salary or try to get me to reduce my fees, then I politely turn them down.
How did Brian Daniel become a recruiter for billionaires?
When Brian first moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, he was a struggling actor. He paid his bills by assisting high-net-worth individuals and celebrities. He got the idea to do that back in the late 1980s when he met the late billionaire Jack Kent Cooke, who owned several sports teams at the time. "When I saw the giant entourage around him, it made an indelible impression on me," says Daniel. "He had a lot of assistants waiting on him hand and foot, and I always said that I would do it someday. When I moved to Los Angeles, I got the chance."
Who hires Brian for recruitment?
Brian was a former assistant to UHNW families
Essentially, the people who hire Brian are those with great means. They don't necessarily need to be a billionaire, but they have to be able to afford the minimum salary for this agency, which is $100,000 a year; but packages go much higher in major cities like L.A. and New York City. Those compensation packages can skyrocket to the $300,000 range and include a company car, luxury apartment, and a matching 401k.
If an ultra-high net worth individual gets thrifty and won't fork over the market rate for an elite personal assistant, then Brian won't place the role. He's polite, of course, when they're turned down.
If an ultra-high net worth individual gets thrifty and won't fork over the market rate for an elite personal assistant, then Brian won't place the role. He's polite, of course, when they're turned down.
Can a billionaire shape up and fork over the fair market rate for an assistant?
Brian tells the story of an unusual business arrangement that he once had with an accomplished property developer. The billionaire had contacted Brian and wanted to hire an elite personal assistant.
After reading the job description, Brian determined that the salary should be in the $250,000 range, plus a year-end bonus based on performance. The billionaire balked, so Brian sent an email saying there must have been a case of mistaken identity because our staffing firm searches for the best of the best candidates, and that requires a top-notch compensation package.
Once the UHNW individual realized that he was being thrifty, he called back and said he would pay the required wage.
After reading the job description, Brian determined that the salary should be in the $250,000 range, plus a year-end bonus based on performance. The billionaire balked, so Brian sent an email saying there must have been a case of mistaken identity because our staffing firm searches for the best of the best candidates, and that requires a top-notch compensation package.
Once the UHNW individual realized that he was being thrifty, he called back and said he would pay the required wage.
Where is Brian Daniel's recruitment firm located?
Domestic staffing for affluent families
Surprisingly, Brian doesn't have a posh office because he lives on the road, so he's not in a high-rise cubicle farm either. Brian's a person on the go, and it certainly requires a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
One thing that truly separates Brian from other headhunters is that he goes on location a lot to actually learn about a client's business operation. Once he sees things firsthand, he can give advice about what kind of candidate is needed.
Brian's strategy is simple: find a personal assistant with the right hard and soft skills, as well as personality traits. For some eccentric families, it's like trying to line up the planets and capture lighting in a bottle at the same time.
One thing that truly separates Brian from other headhunters is that he goes on location a lot to actually learn about a client's business operation. Once he sees things firsthand, he can give advice about what kind of candidate is needed.
Brian's strategy is simple: find a personal assistant with the right hard and soft skills, as well as personality traits. For some eccentric families, it's like trying to line up the planets and capture lighting in a bottle at the same time.
The final word about a billionaire whisperer
There have been many lessons learned along the way. Recruiting for the super-rich isn't easy. A high-profile CEO has very high expectations when it comes to hiring a personal assistant, so breaking the mold and having the right mindset is critical in this line of work.
Brian Daniel has no fear when it comes to telling his clients what's right. And, in the end, it has served him well because he forges an outstanding business relationship with those who hire him.
The word around town is that Brian will act in the best interest of the client and the candidate he places with them, so that's why the relationship will last so long. Read more about the agency's mission statement.
Brian Daniel has no fear when it comes to telling his clients what's right. And, in the end, it has served him well because he forges an outstanding business relationship with those who hire him.
The word around town is that Brian will act in the best interest of the client and the candidate he places with them, so that's why the relationship will last so long. Read more about the agency's mission statement.
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