Testimonials

J. Bates

Starkey Int., is the best Estate and Household mngmt program in the country and arguably the world. As a graduate of both the standard and advanced course; as a practicing manager of a 50k sq ft primary and multiple residence operation; having a degree in hotel/restaurant mnmgt and been in military service for 24 years I feel fairly qualified to make these following statements. (I just wanted to separate myself from some commentators who never actually attended any courses or know Mrs. Starkey but somehow feel compelled to leave a negative comments).

To sum up with a personal note, Starkey quite literally changed MY life to something that for a kid who grew up in a double wide trailer could never have imagined. I work very hard and always reach to be better. My loyalty, honesty and work ethic are above reproach. My principal’s are unbelievably kind and generous and there is aught I would not do for them. I am compensated exceptionally generously for what I do. But I showed up to the courses ready to both learn and work. I showed up with a desire to be counted among the best. I expected to earn what I received and with THAT attitude everything I hoped for came true.

As a bonus, I still count Mrs. Starkey, and Mr. Medicine and the Starkey staff as personal friends. How cool is that? Because Starkey means family. I have observed and interacted with Mrs. Starkey and Mr. Medicine both professionally and personally. I have been invited to speak to classes and functioned as Sous Chef for the formal dinners. My wife and I shared vacation with them.
Why do I give all this detail? For this reason and this reason alone. I know her “on and off duty”, I know her as the headmistress of Starkey International, I know her as a close friend I still call “Mama”. So for those of you who have any damn doubt:
As a member in good standing with my clan:
As a former Eagle Scout:
As a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the USAF
Mrs. Mary L. Starkey is one of the most upstanding and dignified ladies the good Lord put on this earth. Her integrity, honor and loyalty are absolutely above reproach.


B. Drummond

You are one of the most the most amazing person I had meet in my life, kind, caring compassionate, I experience this wonderful thing I have learned a lot from you is sad you are experience this situation, as a person of color make no sense for me , we love you Mary Louise Rohl Starkey


T. Brown

Mary Louise Starkey has changed countless people’s lives,many colors,races,poor,rich -she has purpose and is kind helping our great military and the USA and many other nations….she is a family lady raising wonderful children and helping friend,relatives


K. Nell
I cannot express my full thanks for your kindness and support, but hopefully this is a start.

You are a Teacher, Advisor, Match-maker and friend.

Thank you, K. Nell


B.C. – Estate Manager

I realize I did promise an update after the Holidays.  Obviously, I have been extremely busy.  There is so much that needs to be fixed here.  My To Do list is never ending.  I am just about to turn corner on getting the family and staff to be proactive instead of reactive.  Mrs. still needs the most work in that area, but she is seeing the benefits of it.  Having gone through the Holidays, Easter was a little smoother now that I know the other members of the family and know that to expect.

I know things are going well since I am hearing it from everyone else, from Mr.’s sister to the yoga instructor.  Mr. and Mrs. talk about me to everyone, except me.

They like my cooking, and the daughter has really liked the things I have made.  I have switched their Jerusalem Artichoke pasta with shirataka root, and they love it.  I have developed a menu that has little to no carbs but still gives them items they like, but work within the daughter’s limitations, and are healthy for everyone.

Not in love with Houston itself yet.  Summer is going to be rough!


Connie

Dear Mrs. Starkey & Mr. Medecin

Thank you so much for celebrating another year of life with me, It was a blessed day!!

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to learn from both of you as we work together!!

Who would have known this when I came to see the school and interview with you ”Totally God thing” With gratitude and love, Connie


Claire

Dear Mrs. Starkey

I hope you will forgive me for the belated Thanksgiving greeting, in hope that you had a fabulous holiday!  (Especially with those amazing pies) Thank you for your unwavering passion and caring. I truly appreciate you and all that you do, day in and day out. You make a difference and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all your efforts. I pray the very best for you now and always.

Claire


Melissa

Dear Mary & Xavier

Thank you both for taking the time to visit our home and learn about our family.

Creating  a loving safe contributing environment. Thanks for helping us formulate the vision! It is our most precious goal. Paul and I are energized and hopeful with your assistance in finding a person to help us achieve that goal, we will finally have the home we have dreamed for.

We look forward to continuing the process.

Warmly Melissa.


D. Bennet

Dear Mrs. Starkey

Thank you, your staff, and the students for a lovely evening which was a far richer experience than I had anticipated. I believe that we all  left the table with a deeper sense of human kindness and that our lives will be forever intertwined. I have long believed that sharing a meal is akin to Holy Communion and your dinner pronounced that idea clearly. D. Bennet


Wisconsin

“Thank you, Mary Louise Starkey! Doing very well here in Northern Wisconsin. I hope all is good in Denver, as well. I have been a long time fan of yours, I do hope to one day have the opportunity to meet you and perhaps attend your classes. My concierge service has many similar service requirements as household management. Before launching my company five years ago, I purchased your textbook The Original Guide To Service Management and made your book a mandatory resource for myself in my daily work with clients. I refer to it as my most trusted resource in the art of service. In fact, it is sitting next to me on my desk and I cherish it very much. Thank you for your life’s work. Many blessings to you for a happy, prosperous New Year! Warmest regards


Evelyn

I just wanted to email you and check in. Well it’s been more than 3 months and they are “extremely happy” to quote the PA in the UK. I have to be brutally honest….

I thought I wasn’t prepared for this position(given all the personal crap I was going through). However, I was smart enough, and had someone(YOU) making sure I was on that plane to Aspen, to realized this was too big to screw up. I must say its been a wild ride. Getting away from all my personal crap was the best thing that happen to me. Currently traveling all over the world with crazy itineraries and last minutes changes. Insane request…one minute hemming $1000 cashmere sweaters, to catering business lunches to training staff, setting up $60 million penthouses in NY and London. No job is too little or too big.

Mrs. Is entrusting some of their prized projects to me, which they haven’t done with anyone. The trust is building and building which is the biggest compliment. Haven’t had any big screw ups…yet! I quickly admit my mistakes and all responds well to that and respect it. I am no dummy…I know my place and I know to tread carefully. I try hard not to overstep my boundaries…I unintentionally did once and the bite was hard, so now I think really, really carefully before acting. “When in doubt ask” is the best policy. Learning A LOT from other staff!! I have the feeling they don’t know what to do with me next…they like that I can go anywhere at anytime. One week I will be receiving a delivery in NY and back by the weekend to London. It’s exciting and tiring at the same time. Some weeks it’s 66 hours and sometimes only 45….she’s very fair and compensates me with extra days off when the family isn’t in town. I tell you it’s a roller coaster. I’ll do this for as long as I have the stamina to do so. I’m expected to cook for dinner parties, clean up, laundry, and do the family errands on the same day.

Slowly we will get there…she does check in periodically to make sure I’m happy. At the end of the day it’s a good fit for both of us.

Take care.

Kind regards.


J. Bone
Dear Mrs. Starkey,

Good morning.

After 8 weeks of hard work
and going through a long personal journey,
which you made possible…. 🙂

I finally made it home safe and sound to Los Angeles yesterday afternoon, at 6 p.m.
I couldn’t have learned as much as I did without your great knowledge, passion and support.

I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.

I will miss you, too. Thank you for leaving your door open and phone line available to me.
Your words have opened my eyes and heart and I look forward to what lies ahead.
I wish nothing, but the best for you. Again, may angels be with you always and have a lovely Sunday.

Sincerely,
Miss J. Bone
Starkey International
Class 140


C. Lucero

Thank you for the “Concierge Endorsement”, it is appreciated.
As always…Thanks for the school… it has brought an abundance of knowledge to me and countless others.
I will be celebrating my 10th year as an Estate Manager on Aug.1st.
I have been lucky to have such generous employers who have allowed me the opportunity to travel the world in style and save money to have a nice retirement, which I have planned in 5 more years.
I continue to tell others about the school and what it could do for them.
Sincerely
Mr. Cliff Lucero


M.Corrales

Good afternoon Mrs. Starkey,

I wanted to say hello and to thank you for such a wonderful experience, I truly enjoyed the eight weeks and look forward to putting all the new information into action soon.

Things are settling back in at home, the boys are so happy to have me back and my hearing is readjusting to all of the noise they make.
I have been searching and posting and even ran an advertisement for my services in a little independent paper, I will let you know if anything pans out. It is the ‘off-season’ here and I think it is already literally, hotter than hell.
Please be sure to tell the Starkey staff that I say hello and sure miss each and every one of them already. I will never forget how much knowledge I have gained and am still amazed at how you have assembled so many amazing teachers under one roof.
Have a beautiful day.

Sincerely,
Michele Corrales


Sherri

Mrs. Starkey:
The training I received at Starkey International has been the centerpiece of the course I took to become a Household Manager. Just the classes on defining my role alone in private service took what I had done for 20 years and gave me wings to cross from a nanny to household manager, this is not easily done.

When the time was right I used everything I was taught at Starkey International, located and interviewed for not only a House Manager position but the right one. The person that interviewed me was so impressed on what I shared about what I had learned through training she went out and bought two books by Mrs. Starkey. The first time I interviewed for the House Manager position I did not get it, three years latter I interviewed again and was hired, it is about the right position at the right time. I have been at my position for over a year and it is, in my opinion the best job in Houston. My employers have never had a trained household manager before and now that they are experiencing it they could not be more pleased.

What I learned is that with solid training and a wiliness to change and do what it takes, the right position in service can be so fulfilling

Thank you Mrs. Starkey