Exploring Life & Business with Anita Rogers of British American Household Staffing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Rogers.

Hi Anita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was raised by loving, wise artist parents, spending much of my childhood in the back of a VW camper van, traveling around the Greek islands, and in Turkey and Ireland. We would rent these fairly dilapidated, massive mansions on islands so small and undiscovered they weren’t even on the world map—technically, they didn’t exist! My father loved old neoclassic structures because the light and space were ideal for painting. I was homeschooled by my parents, and when I eventually attended school, I was far ahead of my peers. We didn’t have a TV; we only had BBC World Radio. My entertainment came from reading Tolstoy, science fiction, Jane Austen, Dostoyevsky, and whatever books we had.

This upbringing taught me to be completely independent. It was a very free, liberal environment, and I discovered my identity at an early age. I learned that I could withstand a lot and easily adapt to situations that didn’t conflict with my own sense of truth. My father taught me to “know my own truth,” emphasizing the importance of truth, freedom, and art.

When our house in Turkey burned down, we lost everything and had to return to the UK. Adapting to a narrow worldview in a small British town was tough, but I managed. Later, we moved back to Greece, where I attended an international school, which was great. I eventually became an opera singer, getting my vocal and harp training in London and Italy. I moved to New York, where I sang for many years while adapting to the exciting and intense vibe of the best city in the world. To me, New York sparkled with opportunities and possibilities.

After my ex-husband left me with debt that I needed to pay off, I ended up working three jobs, teaching voice and harp, waitressing and I got my first and last “9-5pm” job. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I was also teaching voice. While I loved performing, it didn’t pay much. I answered an ad on Craigslist for a placement specialist at a domestic staffing agency. I worked there part-time, and eventually, I was chosen to work at the leading agency in New York at the time. I stayed there for two years, learning valuable lessons about what to do and what not to do.

Eventually, I left to start my own agency British American Household Staffing, hoping it would support my vocal career. I made a substantial amount of money compared to my other jobs in a short period. An old friend in finance wanted to invest, and I eventually accepted. We rented a loft in SoHo, and I ran the agency from there while living in the loft myself. I later bought out my business partner and converted the front of the loft into an art gallery. I learned quickly how to be a CEO. It was totally different from anything else I had ever done. It was exciting for me.

I adapted well to entrepreneurship and felt like I was on a crash course in business. I learned the importance of processes and procedures, eventually creating a successful hiring model and quickly growing the agency both nationally and internationally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) celebrity clients relocated, and each branch of our agency was able to fulfill their every request: if they moved to Europe, our UK office could staff an entire estate there; if they moved from New York to Los Angeles, our LA office filled those orders, as did our branches in San Francisco, Miami, the Hamptons, Manhattan, and later the Middle East. British American Household Staffing became one of the most successful agencies before, during, and after COVID-19; we led the market then and continue to do so today.

I believe I adapted and learned quickly because of my background. During the agency’s early years, there were long stretches when I worried about covering payroll and rent. Many people would have given up during those times of extreme stress, but I didn’t. I had grit and adaptability, and I feel fortunate to possess these qualities and be able to put them into practice.

I understood the UHNW world and had been taught about quality. My upbringing, although financially poor by choice, still taught me about quality through art. I knew what my clients wanted and needed, and I could read people very well, making running an agency that places individuals in sensitive homes and estates the perfect choice for me.

Additionally, I never gave up singing. I still perform today, singing classical, jazz, and folk music. I was taught to never abandon my own truth and what moves me the most.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been easy. As I mentioned earlier, there were several years of challenges, during which the overhead costs were difficult to manage. The high rent for my loft in SoHo and the responsibility of covering payroll for two employees added to the strain. My accountant took on the role of my controller and helped me by creating an Excel spreadsheet to manage all incoming and outgoing funds. This tool allowed me to stagger payments and just barely get through those four years.

Despite the financial constraints, I made the entrepreneurial decision to grow the business rather than cut back. I borrowed a bit more money and invested it in strategies to improve our visibility on search engines, which proved successful. I also expanded the agency by meeting clients and candidates in person at strategic locations, which contributed to our growth.

I divided my time between New York and Los Angeles for two years, then spent a year and a half alternating between New York and San Francisco, and finally three years between New York and London. Ultimately, these efforts paid off significantly.

We’ve been impressed with British American Household Staffing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At British American Household Staffing, we take pride in being recognized for having the highest quality in the industry. We specialize in providing top-notch domestic staffing professionals, including nannies, private chefs, chauffeurs, newborn care specialists, governesses, property managers, estate managers, personal assistants, and more. Our commitment to offering only the highest caliber candidates is known worldwide. Our clients always say “ British American Household Staffing only has the best.” That is our brand. We screen out anyone who isn’t “the best.”

With locations in New York, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Texas, London, and Dubai, we understand the unique needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and celebrities. We prioritize their privacy and conduct extensive screening processes to ensure that every candidate placed in their homes is trustworthy and discreet. Our screening procedures are as thorough as FBI-level checks, guaranteeing the utmost security for our clients. We apply this deep level of screening across all of our locations, national and global.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Grit, determination, and tenacity are essential qualities for success. Many people fail because they struggle to sit with uncomfortable feelings for extended periods. Grit is what helps you push through even when you feel afraid. It’s the key to persevering; you simply don’t give up.

I believe that if anyone truly wants something and remains persistent, exploring different avenues and being creative with their ideas and methods, they are likely to succeed. The chances of success increase significantly if you never give up, even more so than if you possess talent but lack the perseverance. Giving up should never be an option; you just keep going until you achieve what you want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bahs.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britishamericanhs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAHSInc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-american-household-staffing/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bahscompany