Ahead of the Curve

Personal trainer If your get-up-and-go would rather sleep in, ask at your health club about a trainer who is willing to prod you on a one-to-one basis. For fast firming—and spiritual nirvana—try Pilates with a certified instructor like Emilie Bromley ([239] 404-8127).

Household manager Has waiting for the pool guy become more like Waiting for Godot? A household manager will mind the details for you, hiring, firing and supervising maids, contractors and more. Denver’s Starkey International (www.starkeyintl.com) places many graduates of its training institute locally; Naples-based Home Staffing Network (www.homestaffingnetwork.com) can also help. Expect to pay a professional’s salary ($45,000 and up), plus benefits.

Nanny Pinching a nanny from playgroup is awkward if you’re going to run into the mom at car line for the next 11 years. An agency like the local Elite Nannies ([239] 261-0202) does background checks on qualified candidates, but will also take your "ideal nanny" wish list into consideration.

Personal assistant Your personal assistant is as much your stunt double as helping hand, chatting with your favorite shopkeepers or managing your social calendar. Placement agencies can screen applicants, but if you’re willing to wade through résumés, an old-fashioned classified ad for an administrative assistant might bring you your perfect Girl—or Boy—Friday. Errands can also be eased with a concierge service such as Diamond Demand ([239] 566-5863).

Personal chef If you entertain formally and often, you’ll want a chef with culinary training and restaurant experience; ask the staff at your favorite dining establishment which Johnson & Wales-trained hotshot would like to man your Viking range. (Poach a staffer from your own club only if you are prepared for mysterious bar charges to appear on your bill in perpetuity.) If yours is the Jack Sprat kind of family where Sally is a vegan today and Mom’s on The Zone diet tomorrow, you may want to turn to one of the area’s roving chefs, who will prepare and deliver meals to your home. Ask your gourmet grocer or wine shop owner for a name.

Photographer There’s more to your life story than your wedding day and annual family portrait. If you’re looking for someone to document a dinner party or beach bash, ask event planners or your caterer for names, or broach the subject with your local camera shop guy. Photo styles can range from ultra-romantic to hyper-realistic, so make sure you see a portfolio before the shutter snaps.

PILOT You could pilot your own plane. You could also perform your own brain surgery. Although flying is a nice skill to have "in the event of …," there are many professionals eager for private pilot gigs. Naples Air Center ([239] 643-1717) can refer properly certified graduates of its flight training programs, and schools are also based at Fort Myers’ Page Field (pagefield@flylcpacom or [239] 936-1443).