Send your questions to: dealingwithdivas@gmail.com

People often ask me how to explain what it’s like to be a personal assistant to a celebrity. I think the best way to get a feel for the job is to talk to other assistants, and hear their stories. Years ago I was one of a select group of assistants who was interviewed by Claude  Brodesser of  Hollywood’s  VARIETY. The conversation was recorded and can be listened to by anyone who logs on to www.acpa-la.com.

But if you’re too lazy to actually go over to the Association of  Celebrity Personal Assistants (ACPA) website (your loss;  you should check them out!), here’s a link to the recording: Assistants Dish!

Listen and learn.
See you next month,

MKIA

Send all questions to: dealingwithdivas@gmail.com

Dear Miss Know It All,

I just relocated to Los Angeles. I don’t have any celebrity personal assistant experience but I do have 15 years working in corporate world, especially for high level people. In other words, I have skills!
Any advice on how to get started in the entertainment industry?

New in Town

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Send your questions to: dealingwithdivsas@gmail.com

Dear MKIA,

I have a logistical question. My office space is so doggone small! It used to be a storage closet, I’m sure of it. Okay, it probably wasn’t but I can barely fit my desk and a bookshelf in there and forget adding an extra chair. We moved from a big home to a high rise and that’s when I lost my big, beautiful roomy office to this.

Anything I can do to make this a happy location for me to work in? Thanks.

Cramped and Crabby

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Dear Miss Know It All,

Keeping with what will probably be a “Valentine’s” theme for this month, what are your thoughts on “being in love with the boss.” Good? Bad?

Moral Dilemma

Dear Moral,

Oh my. Where to start. Do you really want me to answer this? I guess, if the boss is single and so are you, it’s a non-issue. UNLESS your work place doesn’t allow it. And many do  discourage that.
If either one of you is married, it’s just not a good place for either of you to be. Of course you already knew I was going to say that. What you might be surprised to hear is that I am all for people being themselves! No sneaking around! So if this is really a serious relationship, then I suggest you sit down like adults and have a serious discussion about where you are headed.
Consider all the options: are there  spouses, children and/or others that will be affected by your actions? Of course there are! So make a game plan TOGETHER. Making a plan on your own means the other person is probably not as “into you” as you may think.
If this is one sided, and only wishful thinking, you need to re-think it all. Actually, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with mixing work with pleasure, but if this is all in your head, then what’s the point? Be the smart person I know you can be. Talk it out with the other person, not with an advice columnist!

MKIA

Send your questions to:

dealingwithdivas@gmail.com

Dear Miss Know It All,

I have been asked by my employer if I would be interested in traveling with her and her family for Christmas to Aspen. My initial reaction was: no way! I am certain she wants me to babysit her adorable twins (age 2) while there,  but I know they also asked me because I do not have family close by.
Here is my dilemma. On the one hand it would be cool to be in Aspen for two weeks living in style; but on the other hand I do have close friends that I usually spend the holidays with unless I am able to afford to fly home (Mid-West). What would MKIA do (WWMKIAD)?

Not home for the Holidays
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dealingwithdivas@gmail.com

Dear Miss Know It All,

How do you handle a situation where the boss is suddenly so enamored of a gal that is half his age and is constantly asking you to send this person gifts, send and reply to personal emails, drop and pick the lady up at the airport, etc?

My job has been for the past few years to handle his schedule, manage his household staff and  of course  answer fan mail and the like. This added job seems weird to me. Shouldn’t he be doing all this himself? Especially if he’s so in love with her. Why am I now working for two people?

Pulled in Two Directions

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Send your questions to:

dealingwithdivas@gmail.com

Dear Miss Know It All,

I was asked by my boss to help oversee and plan a very large charity event that he is hosting, and which I am actually really looking forward to seeing to fruition. I’ve been working on the event (handling the silent auction entries, sending out the invitations and firming up the guest list) for months now. Recently he (said boss) added two more people to the team who have done events like this in the past to work with me on this final stretch.

Suddenly I am being treated by these people like an idiot. Since they have a lot of experience doing these types of things and I don’t, they feel they can belittle me and basically have made me feel like I shouldn’t have even been involved in this in the first place. I’m at my wits end. Any advice?

Three’s A Crowd When I’m In It

Dear Three,

It’s always amazing to me that people treat others with disrespect. It sounds like you’ve already done the majority of the work. The reality is that YOU have been the glue that has probably kept this all together. You mustn’t let yourself be beaten up by…YOU. All you can ever control is your own actions. The actions of others can sometimes be hurtful, definitely, but unless they are totally undermining you, I suggest you keep your head down and get your job done. If you feel it’s impossible to do this, then it’s time to have a talk with your boss. Tell him your concerns. My guess is that he trusted you 100% which is why he asked you to put the event on in the first place. Perhaps these added people are friends of his that just wanted to pitch in. He may have no clue that you are struggling. Communication here is the key. Talk to him and tell him your concerns. Generally, I have found that telling the boss what is going on usually works in your favor (I know — not always, but most times it does). Go for it. You deserve to be heard! And wishing you success with the charity.

MKIA

Dear Miss Know It All,

I was recently asked to attend a meeting with my boss who was meeting with a very famous celebrity. My boss is a celebrity in his own right but this person [Miss B] is one of those people EVERYONE in the world knows. I was excited to be asked to come along. When we got to the meeting with said Miss B which also included her manager and others, I was asked to leave before the meeting even started. I was told later that my boss wanted privacy. Of course, there was no “privacy”. Miss B had  her mom, two children, manager and house staff there for the entire meeting.
Needless to say, I am hurt and confused. Should I tell my boss how I feel? Since there were more people there than just the two of them, I thought the privacy “line” was out-of-line!
Feeling Left Out
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Dear Miss Know It All,

I am interesting in being a personal assistant or estate manager. How do I get started?  I feel like a new born babe – help!

Newbie

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Dear Miss Know It All,

I like giving DEALING WITH DIVAS as a gift. When are you going to have your “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” special again?

Blatant Marketing Ploy

Dear BMP,

Why thank you for asking! The 2 for 1 sale is every August, so be on the lookout at the end of July for the announcement. (Meanwhile, why not buy a couple to have on hand?). You can order at my website or on amazon. If you order it on my site, I will personally autograph it for you.

MKIA