PD0212
Certified Household Manager
Top 4 Service Standards
- Housekeeping
- Clothing & Valet
- Guest Care
- Child Care
I am the youngest of six children and was born in Bay City, Michigan. Our family lived in Michigan for many generations. When I was a toddler, my family moved to Chicago in pursuit of my father’s jobs in the zoological field, involving his passion for reptiles and birds. We lived in the inner city of Chicago for several years before moving to the southwest suburb of Hinsdale, Illinois.
My parents entertained international guests regularly, through connections with my father’s employment at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo and Marlin Perkin’s TV series, Wild Kingdom. Periodically, we would have unusual animals in our home, which would include alligators, rattlesnakes, monkeys, bats, parrots, and pangolins. There was never a dull moment growing up in a large family coupled with the diversity of animals and house guests arriving and departing. My mother had her hands full caring for us and sharing my father’s interests. She was a full time homemaker until I started elementary school, at which time she pursued her interest in earning a degree in nursing. For years, she worked in the emergency department of our local hospital.
As a child, I possessed a unique vantage point as the youngest in a large family. I learned by watching my brothers and sisters make choices and was a helper by nature who looked for ways to make daily life more manageable in our busy household. For example, I would make lunches for my siblings and hand them out one by one as they rushed out the door for school. I also did their chores if they were running late because I left for school at a later time. What I gained out of this was a sincere sense of worth in making a difference. Whether or not I was aware of it at the time, I was developing a Service Heart and brought a sense of order to practical situations.
Like most teens, my first job was babysitting. I remember taking my responsibility quite seriously, and would go above and beyond the duty of just watching the children to cleaning and straightening the house. At fourteen, I worked in the housekeeping department at a ski resort in Northern Michigan. I attended school during the week, and then worked on Saturdays and Sundays. I developed a strong work ethic and would work through the summers, as well. My natural aptitude for order and an eye for detail were evident in this housekeeping experience. The women who trained me were conscientious and promoted high standards, communicating with me in tones that were kind and professional. I enjoyed working with these women and did not want to disappoint them in fulfilling my role as a team player. We challenged each other to work smarter and help one another. I realized then that I not only have an extraordinarily high standard of housekeeping, but I thoroughly enjoy what I do. In addition, this was also a time of learning how to treat guests and serve them from a heart of hospitality. When I married, we designed and built a house together. I felt very fortunate to have a new home to raise our family and enjoyed the process of keeping it neat and well-organized. I believe a clean home promotes healthy habits and provides a place for rest and peace.
My top four Service Standards are Housekeeping, Clothing/Valet, Child Care, and Guest Care.
Housekeeping: I began to develop the science and art of housekeeping during my employment at a ski resort in Northern Michigan. From the age of fourteen, I was fortunate to work with a team of seasoned, professional housekeepers and glean from their experiences. I built upon this foundation to include establishing my own housekeeping business for multiple families of high net worth. I have accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the housekeeping industry. Due to my experience, I have confidence that I can apply my skills and adapt to any environment while providing at a high level of quality and detail. I have the ability to incorporate a priority system of organization and to promote an exceptional standard of cleanliness to any sized home.
Clothing/Valet: I am fastidious about clean appearances in the home as well as for people. I have provided laundry service for high net-worth families for 10 years and have acquired skills that would be beneficial in any home. I have experience in ironing high-end clothing and preparing the bedding. I can properly use washers, dryers, steamers, irons, and a mangle. I am familiar with dry cleaning and stain removal techniques. I have an eye for detail in providing wardrobe/closet organizational care and storage. I can provide for shoe/leather care and sewing/mending needs. It is important to me that clothes are cared for and drawers are maintained so clothes are neatly presentable.
Guest Care: From a young age, I observed the relationship between my parents and the international guests they entertained. These events often included semi-formal dinners, tours of Chicago, various zoological centers and museums. My parents modeled communication skills that were necessary for successful interpersonal relationships. Over the years, I have developed skills in guest care by promoting the hospitality standards associated with serving high net-worth families. I am confident in my ability to provide a courteous atmosphere for hosting guests and assuring a comfort level of excellence.
Child Care: Initially, I developed my skills for child care from babysitting as a teenager and working at a day care center. Through both experiences, I have learned the difference between home care and institutional care. In the format of day care, I was responsible for eighteen four year olds and learned the timeless skills of diplomacy, discipline, and managing authority with kindness. Furthermore, I homeschooled my two children for eight years and served as a Boy Scout advancement chairman, a Sunday school teacher and superintendent. I am an advocate for education, having supported my daughter through her degree in nursing and my son through his master’s degree in electrical engineering. I have supported the adoptions of my three grandchildren from Uganda, and accompanied my daughter to Uganda for a time while the adoptions were completed. Through practical experience, I promote a high standard of excellence in regards to child care within a home environment.
