Summary

In this episode, Monée Williams interviews Sarah Ann Kasner, the founder and CEO of the National Concierge Association. They discuss the various designations within the concierge industry, the evolution of concierge services, and the importance of networking and building relationships. Sarah shares her journey in the concierge field, the founding of the National Concierge Association, and the significance of community and mentorship in the industry. They also touch on the importance of self-care for service providers and conclude with valuable advice for those in the concierge profession.

Sara-ann Kasner, CNCA Bio

Sara-ann Kasner has provided corporate concierge services for multiple Class A office towers throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area for over 25 years. In 1996, Where Twin Cities Magazine named Sara-ann “Corporate Concierge of the Year” and in 1997 Sara-ann was given the prestigious Gold Key honors by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine. From 1993-1998 Sara-ann was President of the Twin Cities Concierge Association. In 1998 founded the National Concierge Association (NCA), a world-class international networking organization for which Sara-ann continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and official spokesperson. Sara-ann is an NCA Certified Concierge professional.

Over the length of her career, Sara-ann has been actively involved in the community serving on the board of directors for the Great American History Theater in St. Paul, as a committee member for the Greater Minneapolis BOMA annual awards program (BOB) and as a consultant for the 2018 Super Bowl Minneapolis VIP Committee. Sara-ann is regarded an expert on Concierge services and frequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Japan Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Money Magazine, and “O” (Oprah Winfrey magazine).

Reach out to Sara-ann: https://conciergeservicesbysaraann.com/

Takeaways

• The concierge industry has various designations that enhance professionalism.
• Networking is crucial for success in the concierge field.
• Building relationships with clients and vendors is essential.
• The National Concierge Association fosters a sense of community among its members.
• Excellence in service is a common goal among concierge professionals.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in the concierge industry.
• Self-care is important for those in the service industry.
• Accessible and approachable service is key to client satisfaction.
• Surprise and delight are effective strategies in client service.
• The concierge profession is evolving with technology but still values personal connections.