Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dara Green Yates. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

After being in this field for almost 40 years, I believe that the biggest misconception about our industry of domestic bliss is that society has a critical knowledge gap in its understanding of what really matters.

People consistently undervalue the individuals who keep our households running smoothly. While many within the domestic employment industry advocate for market-rate wages based solely on supply and demand, the true value of domestic work extends far beyond these traditional economic metrics.

Domestic workers, whether nannies, housekeepers, or elder care providers, are entrusted with our most precious aspects of life: our children, our homes, and our vulnerable family members. Working as a professional in the domestic sphere comes with a pay penalty because we’ve historically dismissed its complexities.

Look closer and you’ll find professionals adept at fostering curious minds, orchestrating nap schedules, and managing a thousand unforeseen events in between. These roles have the power to transform a family’s whole dynamic by turning chaos into tranquility and helping tired parents become energized ones, all while handling those low-joy tasks that take time away from what families need most: time together.

For genuine growth in this industry, we must break free from the antiquated idea that domestic work is inferior to other forms of labor and passionately advocate for wages that respect the vast expertise and indispensable nature of this work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

With roots in New York and wings that carried her to California’s Pacific shores, Dara Green Yates discovered early in life that home is more than just a place; it’s sacred ground. This fundamental belief, coupled with her hands-on experience as a nanny and preschool teacher, plus degrees in both Early Childhood Education and English Literature, laid the foundation for what would become a revolutionary approach to household staffing.

In 2004, Dara founded Seaside, driven by a simple yet powerful conviction: if home is sacred, it deserves nothing less than fierce protection and unwavering attention. Unlike traditional staffing agencies, Seaside operates on the principle that quality should never be compromised for speed, and safety isn’t a checkbox, it’s a cornerstone. This commitment is exemplified by their groundbreaking requirement in California: mandatory fingerprinting for all candidates working with children before they even begin reference checks.

Today, Seaside stands as a trusted partner for sophisticated households across major U.S. cities including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami, and Washington D.C. The company specializes in placing highly credentialed professionals, from nannies and housekeepers to estate managers and newborn care specialists all who share Dara’s dedication to excellence in domestic service.

What truly sets Seaside apart is their relationship-first approach. Clients have direct access to Dara’s personal cell phone, ensuring immediate support whenever needed. As one client noted, “It was like 8 PM one night and we’re on the phone… that kind of drop-of-the-hat prioritizing was just incredible.” This level of dedication has made Seaside the go-to agency for many of the nation’s most high-profile families.

Dara’s influence extends beyond her company. As a board member of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) and a vocal advocate for fair compensation in domestic work, she’s helping reshape industry standards. Her comprehensive staffing packages, unmatched in the industry, reflect her deep understanding that when it comes to your home and family, excellence isn’t an option, it’s a necessity.

As one satisfied client put it: “When it comes to your kids, you cannot put a price on feeling safe, trusting, and comfortable… She just gets it, and understands what my needs were as a mom, wife, and individual.” This testimonial perfectly encapsulates what Dara has spent her career building: a service that recognizes when you think differently about home, you staff differently too.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

The story of Seaside’s funding begins like many entrepreneurial ventures; with a leap of faith and family support. Armed with determination and a four-page cost breakdown letter, I approached my aunt and uncle for a $3,000 loan. The response was less than enthusiastic. My family was disappointed I wasn’t pursuing a master’s degree and teaching credential, and they were skeptical about my venture into becoming a business owner, even though I had been a nanny for 18 years. Although I knew a lot about my industry, I did not know about the business side of the industry.

And they weren’t wrong. I had no formal business education, had never written a business plan, and was operating purely on instinct. But that’s always been my approach: try, learn, and if you fail, try again. My roadmap was surprisingly simple: I Googled “How to start a small business in California” and followed the steps one by one.

What started as Seaside Nannies in October 2004 became an incorporated company by January 2005. As our services expanded to include housekeepers and other domestic staff by 2009, we evolved into Seaside Staffing Company by 2013. Looking back, that initial $3,000 loan and $7 domain purchase laid the foundation for what would become a leading domestic staffing agency serving multiple major U.S. cities.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to unlearn in business is that being overly trusting can be a liability rather than a virtue. As I grappled with one challenge after another, a critical insight began to take shape, and suddenly everything fell into place. Initially, I was too lenient with clients who delayed paying their agency fees, hesitating to enforce payment timelines because I wanted to maintain positive relationships. I figured out the hard way that having a clear financial protocol in place doesn’t sabotage professional partnerships, it holds everyone accountable.

The same lesson applied to managing my own employees at Seaside. Early on, I relied too heavily on trust in people’s character and verbal agreements, sometimes skipping formal documentation because it felt unnecessarily rigid or implied a lack of trust. With paperwork details amiss, they landed in some costly and emotional discomforts that could’ve been sidestepped.

One thing became crystal clear to me after going through these experiences, that is clarity is king when it comes to being a professional. Seaside takes care of business with a robust set of standard operating procedures in place, from thorough contracts to exhaustive employee handbooks and comprehensive insurance coverage.

I’ve learned to say “no” when necessary and hold all parties accountable for their responsibilities in the agency-client relationship. What I once thought was purely defensive, setting up shields around our business, I now realize is a crucial part of serving our clients with confidence and maintaining a solid reputation. What I once saw as unnecessary formality, I now understand as essential infrastructure that protects everyone involved from our clients to our employees and the company itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seasidestaffingcompany.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasidestaffingcompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeasideStaffingCompany
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seaside-staffing-company/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy39hWaYGUQ&ab_channel=SeasideStaffingCompany
• Other: https://seasidestaffingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Seaside_Staffing_Vogue.pdf

  https://seasidestaffingcompany.com/in-the-news/

Image Credits

Professional pictures by Wesley D Photography
International Nanny Training Day Hosted by Seaside Staffing Co. and sponsored by Nannypalooza
Alliance of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) Board Members