The House Never Sleeps
Being a House Manager in the world of luxury home management means one thing above all else: the house never sleeps, and neither do you. It’s a 24/7 job that demands quick thinking, calm under pressure, and most importantly—solutions. Not tomorrow. Not later. Now.
For over 20 years, I’ve worked behind the scenes in some of the most beautiful homes in the country, supporting high-profile clients whose lives are anything but ordinary. In this line of work, “no” is not in the vocabulary. When something breaks, when a request comes in at the last minute, when the unexpected becomes reality, my job is to figure it out. Fast.
It Starts with a Mindset
Saying “no” may seem like the easiest answer when you hit a roadblock. But in this world, “no” is never an option—it’s a mindset I replaced a long time ago with How can we make it work?
I’ve been asked to plan dinner parties for 30 guests with less than 24 hours’ notice. I’ve had to reroute delivery trucks, track down rare ingredients on holidays, and coordinate staff coverage when someone calls out 10 minutes before a VIP arrival. And the truth is, I love it.
Problem-solving isn’t just part of the job—it is the job. You have to be resourceful, calm, and creative. You have to know people, know your vendors, know your neighborhood, and trust your instincts. That’s how you become the person your clients rely on when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
Thinking on Your Feet
There’s no such thing as a typical day in this role. That’s one of the reasons I’m still passionate about it after all these years. One morning, you might be overseeing routine maintenance; by the afternoon, you’re coordinating a last-minute trip to Montana or securing a private chef for a surprise engagement dinner.
I remember once having a major plumbing issue just hours before a high-end cocktail event. The house was full of guests, florists were arriving, food was being plated, and I had water leaking in a guest bathroom. Instead of panicking, I made two phone calls and had a trusted emergency plumber on-site within 45 minutes—no disruption to the event, no one even noticed.
That’s what success looks like in this world: quiet efficiency. The best compliments are the ones you never hear, because everything ran so smoothly, the client didn’t know a problem ever existed.
Relationships Matter
When you’re constantly solving problems, you learn pretty quickly that your network is your lifeline. I’ve spent years building relationships with trusted vendors, chefs, cleaners, repair teams, tech specialists—you name it. These people are the reason I can make the impossible happen on a tight timeline.
But it’s not just about speed. It’s about trust. When I call, they pick up. They know I’m calling because I truly need their help, and I’ll treat them with the same respect I expect from them. Building that kind of professional relationship takes time, but it’s worth every effort when you’re in the heat of a crisis and need a fast, reliable fix.
It’s Personal
One of the reasons I love what I do is because it’s deeply personal. I don’t just manage houses—I manage homes. I work closely with families, staff, guests, and pets. I treat my clients like family, and I care deeply about making their lives easier, calmer, and more enjoyable.
That’s why saying “no” never feels like an option. If someone in your family needs help, you don’t shut the door—you open it wider. You figure it out, even if it means staying up late, rearranging plans, or making 10 phone calls until someone picks up. That’s just how I work.
The Reward in the Challenge
Creative problem-solving isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it means unclogging drains, ironing out scheduling mix-ups, or making tough judgment calls in the moment. But I find so much reward in the challenge.
When the client walks into a perfectly set dining room, unaware that 90 minutes ago the rental company delivered the wrong tables… when the family gets to relax at a holiday brunch without knowing the heater broke the night before… that’s when I know I’ve done my job right.
It’s in those moments—where you quietly turn chaos into calm—that you find the real satisfaction in this work.
Always Ready for What’s Next
To be successful in luxury home management, you have to live in a state of readiness. You have to stay one step ahead, always thinking “What if?” and preparing for every possibility. But more than anything, you have to believe there is always a way forward.
I’ve built a career on saying “yes” when others might say “no,” and finding solutions where others see roadblocks. That mindset has brought me some of my proudest moments—and some of my closest client relationships.
This work isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. And as long as there are homes to run and lives to support, I’ll be ready with Plan A, B, C—and if needed, Plan Z.
Because in my world, “no” simply doesn’t exist.