Nancy Vitolo has spent over 20 years creating comfort, ease, and elegance for others. Today, she is one of Beverly Hills’ most trusted house managers. But her story didn’t start there.
Nancy moved to California in 2005, drawn by new opportunities. She worked in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley for more than seven years, learning how to stay calm under pressure. During this time, she traveled often to places like Los Angeles and Montana, where she trained to become a house manager. It was there she found her passion.
Over the years, Nancy has mastered the art of household management. She makes sure everything runs smoothly, no matter how big or small the task. For Nancy, her job isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. She’s available 24/7, every day of the year. She believes there is no such thing as “no.” Every problem has a solution.
Nancy is known for her kindness, loyalty, and attention to detail. She treats her clients like family. She has worked with many high-profile people in entertainment and is trusted for her discretion.
One of her favorite parts of her work is event planning. She has worked with famous chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Chef Conner at events like the Governor’s Ball.
In her free time, she loves cooking, hosting parties, and helping with fundraising events. She also enjoys traveling and doesn’t mind relocating for her work.
Nancy Vitolo’s life proves that passion, dedication, and care can build lasting success.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Nancy Vitolo’s days are anything but typical. As a house manager for high-profile clients in Beverly Hills, her schedule shifts constantly. She might begin her morning reviewing vendor schedules or checking inventory for upcoming events. By mid-morning, she could be coordinating deliveries, overseeing maintenance crews, or managing last-minute client requests. Her productivity comes from detailed planning. She relies on color-coded task lists and keeps both digital and handwritten notes to stay ahead. Her motto is simple: anticipate everything.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Nancy brings ideas to life by breaking them down into small, actionable steps. When planning an event, for example, she’ll start with a theme or purpose, then map out details such as guest lists, décor, and catering. She’s known for her hands-on approach. She once worked with Chef Wolfgang Puck and Chef Conner during the Governor’s Ball, where she learned how the smallest details—from table settings to food temperature—can elevate an event.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Journaling each evening helps Nancy stay sharp. She reflects on what went well, what didn’t, and what she can prepare for tomorrow. This habit, formed during her Silicon Valley years, keeps her grounded and focused. She doesn’t rely solely on digital tools. She prefers writing things out because it allows her to slow down and think.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
“Don’t dismiss the power of soft skills,” she says. Early in her career, Nancy thought multitasking was the most valuable trait. Later, she learned that listening, calming a tense room, or helping a chef navigate a meltdown were the true assets. Her ability to defuse conflict without making it visible became her signature strength.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“Don’t dismiss the power of soft skills,” she says. Early in her career, Nancy thought multitasking was the most valuable trait. Later, she learned that listening, calming a tense room, or helping a chef navigate a meltdown were the true assets. Her ability to defuse conflict without making it visible became her signature strength.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Nancy believes every single problem has a solution—but not every problem should be solved immediately. Some need to simmer. “I’m a fixer by nature,” she explains, “but some problems resolve better when you step back.”
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Do a mental walk-through of your day before it begins. Nancy reviews her schedule in her head—like a dry run. “If you visualize the day, you can almost feel where the hiccups will be.”
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
She cleans. Whether it’s organizing a closet or resetting a pantry shelf, physical order brings mental clarity. “I’ll go re-fold linens for 20 minutes and suddenly the answer to a scheduling issue becomes clear.”
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Nancy has always said yes to relocation. When others hesitated, she moved to Montana, Los Angeles, or wherever a client needed her. This flexibility allowed her to build deep trust and earn more responsibility. “If you treat the client’s home like your own, they’ll treat you like family.”
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, Nancy overbooked a team of vendors for a private event, thinking more hands meant faster results. The overlapping responsibilities caused confusion and delays. She now believes in lean, efficient teams where roles are clearly defined and trust is already established.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
She would love to see a mobile hospitality training unit—an RV or van that travels city to city, training aspiring house managers in soft skills, etiquette, and problem-solving. Think culinary school meets life coaching, but mobile.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Nancy uses a digital scanner app to archive handwritten notes, sketches, and receipts. It bridges her analog and digital habits without requiring her to change how she works.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
She often returns to Setting the Table by Danny Meyer. His ideas about hospitality as emotional work reflect her experience. She says, “It’s not about perfection—it’s about care.”
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
She loved The Bear for its real portrayal of behind-the-scenes chaos in service industries. “That show gets it—how stressful and beautiful it is when people care deeply about what they do.”
Key learnings
- Flexibility and soft skills—like emotional regulation and listening—are critical for long-term trust and success.
- Small, personal experiences often have more lasting impact than grand events.
- Physical routines such as journaling or cleaning can restore mental focus and clarity.
- Saying “yes” to change, including relocation, can open unexpected doors in a service-based career.
- Visualizing the day ahead and reflecting on it afterward helps maintain momentum and avoid burnout.