Keith Ferrazzi and his current Nanny
Keith has the most amazing home. Since he travels so much, and hosts weekly dinner parties, he has to have help. Here’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone in or near LA that wants an amazing with an amazing person (which I honestly think Keith is)- Here is the job posting, followed by an interview I did with the current “nanny”.
Looking for a personal "nanny" (more than just an assistant) for a healthy, crazy busy, fun but very demanding adult 44 year old man.
Skills: Must be SUPER organized, NEVER drops a ball and always finds a way to GET IT (anything) DONE.
Style: Very candid, tough, NO DRAMA. Big nurturing heart, a true caretaker who loves children (none yet). Trustworthy beyond belief! Very socially engaging but knows boundaries with many guests and friends. Frugal and a great negotiator.
Special skill: A flair for elegance and throwing parties and dinners. Able to cook some.
Fairly unpredictable schedule includes many evenings and weekends and some travel required for out of city events.
Please don't waste your time answering this add if even one of these criteria are in question at all.
I’ve met Julie (pictured to the left with Keith), and she is a super hero, capable of all the above listed items… so, I wanted to share what her experience has been for the last 6.5 years working with Keith.
How long have you worked with Keith Ferrazzi? Been with Keith 6.5 years.
How did you meet? Met through mutual friend.
What are some of the highlights of the gig? Getting to know Keith, getting to understand Keith, getting to meet all the people who surround Keith- Mark Thompson, Julie Woods-moss, Dr. Mark Goulson, There’s 100′s of people. Nancy Nadore, Keith’s family (parents, neices & nephews).
What’s Keith Ferrazzi like to work with/for? Challenging, but very interesting. Keeps you on your toes. He is stubborn, but so am I. It’s busy. Intense sometimes. Half the time it’s a lot of fun.
What’s the most challenging part: Being able to read Keith’s mind, anticipating last minute changes that he likes to spring on everybody. Not a lot now, since I know him so well. Once you know him well, he’s very much a creature of habit– especially in his personal life, and that’s what I deal with mainly, his personal life.
Is it a good gig? The job is very fulfilling, because every day is different. The fact that we entertain a lot, which I love to do anyways makes it fun. I love it. He has a big heart, and we get along great. He takes advice, we communicate brilliantly.
Any advice for your replacement? Listen. Listen to what he’s saying. Never presume. Listen to every word. He’s great at giving direction. He knows what he wants… if you don’t get it, you have to ask him again. You can’t presume anything!
Anything about the house? It’s an easy house to upkeep. You just have to do the maintainance (appliances, building, painting, general maintainence).
The person who takes my position has to be able to take the initiative, always listen. If I don’t get it, I just ask again… You have to be on it, and think ahead. I knew what he’d want for dinner ahead of time. I know how to treat him with each of his moods, and how to act around him on each of his moods. I’m always here, and he confides in me, and I in him – but he may not have that with just anyone. We’re more friends than employee/employer.
You have to be OCD to be able to pull off all the last minute events that we do. But don’t forget– most events happen on the weekend, so be prepared to give up your weekend. I work 3 months straights- sometimes every day, and then I take 2 weeks off.
You have your own schedule. Keith’s usually out of town Monday through Friday, so you can catch up on everything during there.
He’s the hardest working man that I’ve ever met, so you have some high standards to live up to… you don’t have to be him, but you have to be on it… very sharp. Have common sense.
Keith has 2-3 parties a month. From intimate parties of 6, to client dinners of 150.
He’ll call you and say “ok.. you know what.. we’re having dinner tonight… it’s going to be 6 of us.” Then a couple of hours later it’s going to be 10.. then a couple of hours later, it’s 15. You have to be very on it, ’cause nothing is as it seems.
As far as organizing the parties: Organizing the parties, if it’s for a client, and it’s an event- first of all handiman, make sure the house is functioning. Then there’s the caterers, then you have to personally stock the bar. You always have to have the bar stacked to have a party in 2 hours— from drinks, to soda, to napkins, to cocktail olives. It’s gotta be in the house, or else it will be a nightmare. You gotta be ready to go.
You have to organize the valet, the staff, the floral arrangement (which I do, ’cause I enjoy that)- organize rentals- furniture, dinnerware, glassware, linens, entertainment (piano players, dj’s, magicians…), greet the guests, remember the familiar faces who’ve been here before. Make them feel welcome. They usually remember my name, which is great.
I am leaving to go back to England. I promised Keith I would come back a few times a year. I promised him that I will come back and throw at least one party.
It’s going to be very quiet after this for me.
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So, there you have it. Now you know EXACTLY who they are looking for, some of the things you can expect, and even a feel for what the gig is like. Remember, this is a career type gig… i.e. you should love what you do, and plan on being there for longer than a year. Otherwise, don’t waste your time.
If you or anyone you know qualify for this amazing position, please fill out the following form (which goes to Keith Ferrazzi’s staff).
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