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Photo credits: cottonbro studio
Passionate about luxury lifestyle branding, service excellence and adding value through innovation, Vinicius Viana believes that Luxury and Lifestyle are constantly moving. Brazilian citizen, Vinicius is a native hotelier and an active supporter of the UNV for Humans Rights.
I am an orphan. I lost my mom when I was three years old. And, tragically, I never had the opportunity to know my father, either. I was raised by my beloved grandma, along with my aunt and three cousins.
I felt alone most of the time during childhood. From this, I developed an emotional magnetism with some charities in Brazil. Helping people, talking to them – understanding them. Not only giving bread to the poor but above all, making them feel special and valued.
Hospitality has always been in my heart. It’s about helping people in need. Serving and understanding others is what matters to me.
When I look at a person, I see a “person” – not a rank, a class, or a title.
Being a Butler or P.A. for UHNW individuals could be a dream job for most people out there. However, it requires a lot of stamina and resilience to make things happen every day. All the client wants is time. Time and quality service counts in every aspect of the job.
The day to day workings is vastly different from one job to another. Today you can be at the estate in the Middle East; then a few hours later, you are packing and preparing a long and carefully-planned list for catering to be sent and served (by you) in Europe.
I have seen little room for a steady daily routine. From food and beverage services to preparing events, hosting VIPs, knowing about private planes, yachts, and antiques... It’s a vast field with the unique skills needed to navigate it all.
My three main foundations always have been: diplomacy, discretion, and a unique state of mind.
To stand tall on your own feet requires a lot of understanding that money is time. Ultra-high net worth individuals cannot wait. Your mindset and skill-set must be as precise as a surgeon’s hands.
You will be challenged every single day to find out if you have the best to offer. In terms of services, luxury, or lifestyle: It’s a vicious cycle that never stops. The more you know, the better you will be able to perform in your job.
Knowledge is paramount while wanting to understand wealthy minds and deep desires.
Perhaps “wisdom” is understanding that I am one small part of a VIPs operation, and I enjoy that I am learning from my boss every day.
Luxury hotels, the airline industry, and royals are virtually one in the same – unparalleled wellbeing for VIPs and the uniqueness of tailored services.
I’ve learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you. It’s what you choose to do with it, and the people you choose to surround yourself with. Always choose people that are better than you. Always choose people that challenge you and are smarter than you – that’s how you grow and learn.
Certainly, dedicating a life to others happiness can sometimes be exhausting. At times it can never be enough to fulfil what they expect. But trusting and pushing yourself every day makes you stronger, and that’s how you get to the next level.
The challenge is to understand when and where you can cross boundaries.
Not that I have ever necessarily been faced with it, but if [a VIP hotel guest] wants something illegal, immoral, or against federal law and\or international laws - I will not do it.
Having said all of that, the wealthiest do not always accept a “NO”. So, we learn in the service industry that is important to rebound gracefully and always provide second and third alternatives.
For me, the job is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savouring the journey while striving to give my clients the best I can.
The hardest part is, regardless of how you proceed, no matter how difficult the situation, just excel and do your best.
By Vinicius Viana | LinkedIn
