We recently had the chance to connect with Anton Kalaydjian and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Anton, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m up at sunrise (just before 7am), I let the sunlight wake me and not an annoying, loud alarm. Due to my line of work, I am a light sleeper so this works well for me. I head to the kitchen to make coffee, grab a protein bar and turn on the TV to catch up on the news. Worldwide, local and sports. While tuning in, I have my laptop on me so I reply to any emails or messages that may have came in overnight. Our clients are worldwide and the time zones are all over the place. I believe in prompt responses no matter the time zone. I turn the car on via remote so it starts cooling as I hit the shower. Get dressed for work knowing I have a head start and I head to the office. I purchased my house, office building, training center building all within a 4 mile radius and close to the freeway and airport as well, this is by design. This saves me time, frustration, punctuality, and makes my life much more streamline. I am the first to walk into our office. I open it up, turn on all the lights and immediately get to my desk. I try to knock out any emails I need to early so I have a head start on the business day. My office workers start coming in (9:00am) and I always say good morning to each of them as they pass my office which is at the entrance. Round 2 for coffee and thats the time my Executive Assistant Yane walks into my office so she can brief me and vice versa. Now I am ready to start the business day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Anton Kalaydjian, and I am the Founder and CEO of Guardian Professional Security. With over 25 years of executive-level experience, I have led high-level security operations for elite clientele, including top executives, dignitaries, celebrities, and talent across more than 70 countries.
I built Guardian Professional Security from the ground up into a multi-division firm that has grown into the largest celebrity protection agency on the East Coast. Our three core divisions specialize in Executive & Celebrity Protection, Residential & Commercial Security, and Concert & Event Security.
Recognized as one of the world’s leading Personal Protection Specialists, I am frequently invited to speak at national close protection conferences and security seminars, sharing insights and expertise with fellow professionals in the field.
Throughout my career, I have served as Head of Security and Advance Team Leader for over two dozen Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artists, including eight #1 Billboard-charting performers. As an Event Security Director, I have personally overseen security operations for more than 3,000 concerts, music festivals, live events, and sporting events around the globe.
In addition to leading Guardian, I also serve as a Lead Instructor at the Executive Protection Institute, where I train professionals in close protection, celebrity security, and large-scale event operations.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a Stock Broker prior to my calling to the Protection industry. I interned at 19 years of age at a company called Ladenburg Thalmann who holds the 2nd oldest seat on the New York Stock Exchange (120 years + now I believe). At age 20 I passed my Series 7 & 63 exams and quickly because the leader of the “pit” (main room with all brokers not in solo offices). I was offered an office but I enjoyed the excitement of the pit. As a young broker who was building his book of clients…I moonlighted as Head of Security for multiple nightclubs in S. FL. It was there where I saw my calling to protect people. I finally got a shot at close protection at age 23 for the biggest and most high risk entertainer of that era (2003). That is when I left my career as an Investment Advisor and focused solely on protection.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. I wanted to give up a million times. There was not a day where I did not think of giving up but I am not the “give up” type. Being an entrepreneur is extremely difficult. Your entire life becomes your business. It affects your relationships with friends, family, girlfriend, etc. It affects your mental and physical health. Your old life is a thing of the past. It takes tremendous sacrifice and is extremely frustrating. You do not have regular work hours, instead your work is 24/7/365. Over the past 20 years of being an entrepreneur, the stress and hard work is enough to make anyone want to give up but I could not and today as I look back on what we have built…I am extremely happy I did not. Never, ever give up!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
In Guardian we have a culture we have created. The “Guardian Culture”. This company is made up of some of the best humans I know. We never put money over honor. We can pick and chose which clients we want to protect and that is a true blessing because it was not always this way. We never put our people at risk over greed. Our veteran Guardians take pride in the company and always pay it forward to the up and comers in the company. An example of the Guardian Culture is…I never asked any of our people to actually tattoo our logo on themselves. Over a dozen of our Close Protection Agents have, it’s an honor to wear our culture on us because in a world of corporate greed, cut throat competition, bad actor bodyguards, frauds and quite frankly dishonorable people in the security industry…we know we are unique and we are very proud of what we have built. Like me, my men have sacrificed a lot in order to keep our clients safe. If only the world knew what we have done to protect your favorite artist, actor, head of state, etc. The Guardian Culture is protected at all costs, no matter what amount of money is presented to break it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I feel some people may believe I am hard to work with, stubborn or sometimes even mean. I believe this is a misunderstanding made by less professional people. I have a very high bar for myself and my team and I do not expect everyone else to raise themselves to that bar but if they are not even close then I have a difficult time working with them. People have to understand that in the security industry we are dealing with actual “life and death” situations so the professionalism hast to be at the highest standard possible. If it is, I get along with everyone involved. If it’s not, I lose respect for people involved because the consequences are so direr. Any other profession, maybe I would be easier on people but in this crazy world, I must “think like the bad guy” in every situation so as to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In real life, outside of work…I am a very quiet person who stays to myself. I am very respectful and humble and I do like to be pleasant as possible but when it comes to work…I take it very seriously.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ProrectedByGuardian.com
- Instagram: @guardiansecurity
- Linkedin: Anton Kalaydjian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectedbyguardian/
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