The Easemakers Podcast

Capturing a detailed inventory for insurance, operations, estate planning and more with Virtual Home Inventory Founder Ken Aaron

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

What's the value of documenting high value assets, and how do you ensure you've captured every detail?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Founder of Virtual Home Inventory Ken Aaron shares his path from architectural photographer to inventory specialist, and his take on why inventories are a game changer for everything from daily household operations to long-term peace of mind.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Managing art as an asset: stewardship, documentation, and the missing piece in collecting with Cadell + Co Americas President and CEO Caroline Sayan

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

How do you care for an art collection to help it maintain its value and build the legacy the collector wants to create?

The missing piece, says Caroline Sayan, President and CEO of Cadell + Co Americas, is being organized, and documenting every detail from appraisals to personal stories.

Tune in to hear Caroline's take on how estate managers and family offices can support collectors and preserve the value and meaning of a collection over time.

Managing cars, fleets and private collections with Precision Automotive Group Founder Dave Bentson

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0400

What should every estate manager know about maintaining cars, and how do you manage a fleet or a collection across properties?

Car fiduciary Dave Bentson answers all our automotive questions in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast. Tune in to hear the Founder of Precision Automotive Group share his tips for preserving different types of cars, his advice for private service professionals, his take on when to hire a collection manager, and more.

Supporting equestrian families and navigating the logistics of horse ownership with Dean Dorton Tax Director Jen Shah

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0500

When your principal says they're thinking about buying a horse, what questions do you need to ask, and what do you need to know?

Jen Shah is a tax director at the CPA and advisory firm Dean Dorton. She specializes in working with equestrian families, and says she's never met a family office that's excited to hear their principals are diving into this unique asset class.

In this conversation, Jen shares what family offices and estate managers should know about horse ownership – from understanding the business to caring for a horse throughout its life. Tune in to hear the differences between managing sport horses and racing horses, the implications for insurance, accounting and care, and how to build a team of experts to properly support an equestrian family.

Chartering and monetizing luxury assets with LVH Global Co-Founder & CEO Hugh Barton

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

What are the risks and benefits of putting luxury assets — from homes to yachts to cars — up for charter?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, LVH Global Co-Founder & CEO Hugh Barton shares how the right charter setup can help cover the costs of luxury assets, improve service standards, and fit into an overall wealth preservation strategy.

Tune in to hear his tips for delivering on client expectations and preferences, hiring, training and retaining high-performing staff, and more.

Restorative cleaning and the science behind preserving a home with Immaculate Collective Founder Emily Dodds

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0500

What is restorative cleaning, and how does it differ from day to day housekeeping?

Emily Dodds has studied the science behind cleaning, and has a passion for using cleaning best practices to help families maintain their homes and all the assets within them. Tune in to hear the founder of Immaculate Collective talk about the principles of restorative cleaning, her tips for finding a cleaning service or housekeeper with the right expertise, and best practices for maintaining a clean — or immaculate — home.

From the Air Force to Estate Operations: Managing Logistics, Protocols and Change with Consultant and AW Strategies Founder Aubree Weathers

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0500

The right protocols can create peace in a family's everyday life.

Aubree Weathers honed her skills managing operations and logistics in the Air Force, and today, she applies what she's learned in private service. As a consultant and the founder of AW Strategies, Aubree helps complex households build processes that work for them.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she shares tips for creating new standards and procedures, best practices for navigating change, and advice for getting buy-in from key stakeholders across an estate.

HR tips for reducing burnout and retaining great household staff with Critical Path Advisors Co-Founder and President Reisa Diamond and Director of Employee Relations Lisandra Gatson

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0500

How do you reduce turnover and retain your top household staff members?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, the team from Critical Path Advisors shares HR best practices for onboarding, benefits, PTO, and more — so you can set your team up for success. Hear from Co-Founder and President Reisa Diamond and Director of Employee Relations Lisandra Gatson on how they work with families and private clients, what leads to burnout, and how to navigate tough HR conversations.

Hosting incredible private events on a tight deadline with Party Crush Events Founder & Creative Director Jessica Goldklang

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:00:00 -0500

You have one week to plan a 50th birthday party for 100 people — how do you make it happen?

Jessica Goldklang found her calling answering questions just like this, and created Party Crush Events to bring big visions to life on a short timeline. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she shares her tips for anyone trying to make the impossible happen at the last minute.

Tune in to hear her keys to an unforgettable guest experience, tips for finding vendors without ego, and how she meets expectations, whether she's asked to bring in a dancing parrot or create a diner from scratch.

Maintaining luxury ski homes with Co-founder and CEO of Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group Paul Benson

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0500

Owning a ski home comes with unexpected maintenance challenges — so what should you consider if you're tasked with managing a home in a town like Park City, UT?

Paul Benson is the Co-founder and CEO of Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group, and he's watched Park City real estate evolve over the past 20 years. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, he shares the mistakes people make all too often with ski properties and how to avoid them. Tune in to hear about how the right inspections can save millions in repairs, the realities of living with wildlife and weather in a ski town, and the complexities of hiring household staff and vendors in high-cost neighborhoods.

Easemakers 100: Celebrating the Easemakers Community with Jacco de Bruijn, Mohamed Elzomor, Kristin Twiford and Shelby Boudreau

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500

To celebrate 100 episodes of the Easemakers Podcast, the Nines team turns the microphone around. Tune in to hear Kristin and Mohamed talk with Jacco de Bruijn and Shelby Boudreau about the founding story of Nines and Easemakers, the evolution of the Easemakers community, and their words of gratitude for the service hearts who make this community special.

Thanks to everyone who's been a part of our first 100 episodes!

The importance of continuity for generational well-being with RayLign Founder & Managing Partner Greg Rogers and Business Administrator Molly Monahan Grunner

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500

How can estate managers make a positive impact on family dynamics and well-being for the families they support?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we talk about generational well-being, family dynamics, and continuity with the team from RayLign. Greg Rogers founded RayLign 20 years ago to bring alignment and support services to families across generations. For this conversation, he’s joined by Molly Grunner, who brings an estate management background to the RayLign team.

Tune in to hear tips for building strong relationships with principals, anticipating what's around the corner, and creating redundancy and structure for long-term success and stability.

Embracing the evolution of long careers in private service with Estate Manager Beth Langley

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

In private service, no two days are the same — and as time goes on, a role can change drastically.

Beth Langley has worked with the same principals for two decades, and her role has continuously evolved over time. In this conversation, she shares her path from personal trainer to estate manager to fractional estate manager and remote personal assistant.

Tune in to hear her tips for setting boundaries that set you up for success long-term, building long-lasting vendor relationships, and adapting as dynamics change.

Protecting high-end homes and assets from storms, floods and hurricanes with Aon Private Risk Management President Jason Ott

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, predicted an above-normal hurricane season for 2025, but so far, none of the Atlantic hurricanes that have formed this year have made landfall in the US. With another month to go, President of Aon Private Risk Management Jason Ott shares his advice for mitigating risk during hurricane season.

Tune in to hear how to protect assets during floods, what everyone needs to know about building and maintaining coastal properties, and why estate managers should have an understanding of their principal’s insurance policies.

Managing private islands with EVI Projects Director of Project Luciana Nijdam

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400

What are the unique challenges of managing a private island?

In a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Luciana Nijdam shares what estate managers and the families they support need to know about purchasing, developing and maintaining private islands.

Tune in to hear how managing a private island differs from running a coastal property, tips for finding staff and vendors for remote locations, tips for training your team for when things (inevitably) go wrong, and more.

Continuing education for luxury yacht and estate chefs with Chef Adrienne Gang

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:00:00 -0400

In 20 years serving on luxury yachts, Chef Adrienne Gang has learned every lesson the hard way, and now, she wants to create calmer waters for her peers.

This October, Adrienne is launching a course with Florida International University called Luxury Culinary Operations: Yacht and Estate Logistics. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she shares why continuing education has become her passion, and how chefs can benefit from special training designed for private service environments.

Plus, in the lightning round, Adrienne shares a behind the scenes look at her experience on Bravo's Below Deck, as well as her experience volunteering her culinary skills to provide disaster relief with organizations like the Guy Fieri Foundation.

Learn more and apply to the course here: https://hospitalityexed.fiu.edu/courses/luxury-culinary-operations-logistics-for-yachts-and-estates/

Guiding families through estate sales with the Christie's International Real Estate Group Trusts & Estates Division's Leslie Hirsch and Howard Morrel

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Managing estate sales comes with a unique set of challenges, from complicated family dynamics to maintaining an empty property.

In this conversation, co-founders of the Christie's International Real Estate Group Trusts & Estates Division Leslie Hirsch and Howard Morrel share their tips for estate managers tasked with seeing a property through an estate sale. Tune in to hear what you need to know about insurance and maintenance as a home sits through this process, documents and information to keep at your fingertips, repairs that can impact the value of a property, and what most commonly gets overlooked.

Preparing for and preventing medical emergencies with Emergency Black Bag Founder & Medical Director Christopher Sidford

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Are you taking all the right steps to prevent medical emergencies, and to ensure you're prepared in the worst case scenario?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Emergency Black Bag Founder & Medical Director Christopher Sidford shares what every private service professional should know about medical emergencies, from what to have on-hand at every property to how to prepare your principals for a trip overseas.

Tune in to hear his tips for basic preparedness, how to improve medical safety on remote properties, what to carry when you're traveling, and more.

Building a network of trusted tradespeople with Fractional Estate Manager Rachel McGrath

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

A strong network of tradespeople and vendors serves as the key to Rachel McGrath's fractional estate management company, RK Estate Management.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Rachel shares her tips for any private service professional looking to source, vet and work with high quality vendors. Tune in to hear her tips for finding new vendors, building strong relationships, and balancing 100+ vendors across multiple properties.

Helping families navigate health insurance and care with Emry Concierge's Lindsay Loomis

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Wealth brings complexity to all aspects of life, and health insurance is no exception.

Emry Concierge's Lindsay Loomis has spent her career in the insurance industry, and in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she shares her tips for helping families navigate health insurance and care.

Tune in to hear considerations for families who spend time across multiple properties, states and countries, what to know about concierge doctors and healthcare advocates, and tips for finding the right insurance plans for your clients.

Professionalizing childcare operations with Dr. Virginia Schwager

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Dr. Virginia Schwager combines a psychology background and years of experience in private service to help families improve their childcare operations. In her time working in private households, she's learned that childcare teams shouldn't operate in siloes, but rather, should be integrated seamlessly with estate management teams.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Ginny shares her tips for estate managers on overseeing nannies and childcare professionals, her take on how to improve retention, and more.

Creating continuity, preserving legacy, and planning for the future with Leafplanner Founder & CEO Josh Kanter

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

In every family office, turnover is inevitable. So how do you plan for the future and ensure information doesn't get lost over time?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Josh Kanter shares how his own family's story shaped his approach to helping family offices navigate transitions and preserve their legacies.

Tune in to hear why his own experience led him to build leafplanner, his take on why it's critical to document the knowledge of everyone involved in the family ecosystem, and his tips for anyone who wants to help an organization preserve their legacy for generations to come.

Proactive planning for seamless private jet travel with Apollo Jets Aviation Advisor Michael Palagonia

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

What should you consider when booking private jet travel, and how do you ensure everything goes smoothly?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Apollo Jets Aviation Advisor Michael Palagonia shares the common mistakes to avoid around luggage capacity, departure times, catering and more. Tune in to hear why it's critical to know your terms around cancelation, wifi, pets and more, how to plan for holiday, peak season, and major event travel, and which small mistakes can turn into bigger problems when flying privately.

Anticipatory excellence and the new definition of luxury with The Pantheon Group Managing Director Joe Pellegrino

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

What is the definition of luxury in 2025?

Joe Pellegrino says we all have our own definition — and it's his team's job to deliver on each client's unique vision.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, the Managing Director of the Pantheon Group shares his take on what he calls "anticipatory excellence," and how he sees estate management evolving.

Tune in to hear about the keys to onboarding new clients, how to get ahead of expectations, tips for finding great vendors, and more.

Keys to a long-term placement in private service with Precise Home Management Founder and President Andrew Lowrey

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Andrew Lowrey has a lifelong love of service, and his years working in hospitality and private homes shape his philosophy on domestic staffing.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, the Precise Home Management Founder and President shares why he believes you should never force a role in private service, as well as his keys to a long-term placement.

Tune in to hear how his upbringing fuels his journey in private service, his tips for candidates and his advice for finding a long-term fit.

Renting out high-end homes and creating a gold standard vacation rental experience with Key.co Founder & CEO Kim Lalande

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Curious about turning a second home into a vacation rental?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we talk with Kim Lalande about what to know before putting a luxury property on the short-term rental market, how to appeal to a particular type of traveler, and how to create a high-end guest experience.

Kim is the Founder & CEO of Key.co, a hospitality marketplace where clients can book vetted, top-tier vacation homes, curated experiences, and in-home services, all in one place. Tune in to hear her insights about marketing a vacation home, investing in a high-end rental property, managing the operations of a luxury vacation rental, and more!

Plus, check out the McKinsey report, Updating perceptions about today’s luxury traveler, that Kim mentions during our conversation.

Avoiding AI-driven cybercrime and protecting digital privacy in a changing landscape with BlackCloak Founder & CEO Dr. Chris Pierson

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

The cybersecurity landscape is changing rapidly with the increasing prevalence of AI-driven cybercrime.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we talk about what private service professionals can do to minimize risk with Dr. Chris Pierson, CEO and Founder of the concierge cybersecurity and privacy platform BlackCloak.

Tune in to learn about the link between digital security and physical security, how digital scams are evolving in the age of AI, and what you can do to take action.

The value of range in estate management with Estate Manager, Consultant and Founder of Resonate Estate Management Steve Davis

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Every private service professional has a unique path into the industry. For Steve Davis, a wide range of experiences — including a lifelong love of music — prepared him for a career in estate management.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Steve shares how being an "expert generalist" has helped him succeed in private service. Tune in to hear stories of how a diverse background helps him in his role as an estate manager and consultant, his advice for working closely with specialists, and tips for learning on the job.

The most common losses facing HNW homeowners and how to prevent them with PURE Insurance Chief Growth Officer Mark Galante and Head of Risk Management Jason Metzger

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

What are the most common losses facing high net worth homeowners, and what are they overlooking when it comes to prevention?

In this conversation, PURE Insurance Chief Growth Officer Mark Galante and Head of Risk Management Jason Metzger dig into the data from 2024, uncovering the trends in homeowners’ claims and sharing practical tips for reducing risk.

Tune in to hear tips for getting ahead of losses and preventative measures every estate manager should take in 2025.

Note that this conversation was recorded in December 2024, so when Mark refers to "year to date" numbers, he is referring to 2024 data.

The generational wealth transfer's impact on properties, family office staff and more with Parere Advisory's Janet Arzt and Skye Young

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0500

How do you navigate the changes that come with transferring wealth from one generation to another? What are the challenges and opportunities families have as G2+ starts to share properties and assets?

In this conversation, Parere Advisory Founder and Managing Partner Janet Arzt and Managing Director Skye Young share the trends they see across family offices, as well as their advice for creating structure and systems to ease the transition.

Tune in to hear what everyone should know about the next generation, how to keep growing families and ever-evolving teams on the same page, and tips for reducing key man risk and preserving historical knowledge.

Organizing for smoother moves and transitions with project-based personal assistant Heather Swain

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0500

LA-based Easemaker Heather Swain has carved out a niche helping clients stay organized through any transition.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Heather shares what she's learned from helping clients move, consolidate properties, and navigate moments of transformation. Tune in to hear her tips for helping principals stay organized in the midst of chaos.

Surprising art discoveries, rare collections and tips for navigating the art market with Fine Art Advisor Ronald Varney

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0500

We've all heard stories of surprising art discoveries — jewelry found in desk drawers, vintage cars uncovered in barns — so what can we learn from these stories? How do you protect and preserve valuable assets and collections, and what should everyone in private service know about navigating the art market?

Ronald Varney is a Fine Art Advisor with 25 years of experience in the international art market. In this conversation, he shares lessons learned from art and collectibles lost and found in storage, why the stories behind assets and collections need to be carefully preserved, and advice for anyone involved in managing collections, valuations, certificates of authenticity and more.

From PA to secure lifestyle expert: Umbra International CEO Kate Bright on her path to invisible protection

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:00:00 -0500

At first glance, you might not expect Kate Bright to be a part of a security detail — which, she says, is exactly why she's right for the job.

In this conversation, we talk with Kate about invisible protection, and how she made the move from personal assistant to secure lifestyle expert and Founder and CEO of Umbra International, a full-service security business that delivers recruitment, advisory and project management to private clients and family offices around the world.

Tune in to hear about Kate's unique career path, why she's passionate about bringing more women into close protection roles, and the value of a security mindset for any private service professional.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Soft skills and emotional intelligence in private service with Institute of Modern Butlers Chairman Steven Ferry

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0500

When emotions are running high, how do you turn things around, solve the problem, and provide the best possible service?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Steven Ferry, Chairman of the Institute of Modern Butlers, shares how working on soft skills and emotional intelligence can help you better navigate tough situations with principals, staff, vendors, and anyone else you come across in your daily life.

Steven became a butler in 1989, and since then, his career has evolved into hospitality and butler training. He’s written three books, including the British Butlers’ Bible, and teaches butlers and hospitality teams about proper standards – including the right attitude and approach, which is the heart of our conversation today. Tune in to hear his tips for anyone working in private service.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

[Special episode] Managing risk and assessing executive protection programs in times of uncertainty with Rescor Group Co-Founder & CEO Wayne DeCoste

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0500

Today, security is top of mind for high profile individuals and the people who support them. In the aftermath of the shooting that killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Wayne DeCoste and his team at Rescor Group have had an influx of calls from people scrambling to improve their executive protection programs.

Now, in a special episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Wayne shares his advice for anyone who’s concerned about safety and protective services – for both the short term and the long term.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Bringing creative projects and estate brands to life with Jack Grayson

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0500

How do you bring a big creative vision to life, whether it's a logo and brand for an estate, a once-in-a-lifetime party, or an upgrade of simple service touches like napkins and platters?

Jack Grayson started out as a photographer, then, quite by accident, found himself managing creative projects in high end estates. Now, he's sharing his secrets for getting creative in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Tune in to hear how Jack turns a seemingly impossible vision into a reality, his tips for working with vendors and artisans, and his advice for estate managers tasked with managing creative projects.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

The value of personalized insurance coverage for high net worth clients with Private Risk Management Association CEO Diane Delaney

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0500

What's the difference between mass market insurance and personalized insurance coverage? How do you decide on the best fit, and how do you find a broker that's right for you?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Private Risk Management Association CEO & Executive Director Diane Delaney shares how a consultative approach to insurance can help HNW families and individuals protect and preserve their assets.

Tune in to hear an overview of today's hard market, Diane's tips for being proactive in preventing the most common losses, why Diane starts conversations by focusing on the passions (like collections), what to look for in a private insurance advisor, and more!

What's behind the curtain in healthcare and how private service professionals and family offices can help with Wellworth Founder & CEO John Samuels

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you know when to bring up conversations around healthcare, and how to minimize risk as you navigate health-related situations with your principals?

In this conversation, Wellworth Founder & CEO John Samuels explores what’s behind the curtain in healthcare – and how estate managers can support their principals in dealing with emergencies, illnesses, and aging.

Tune in to hear signs to watch for that might tell you something is wrong, and his advice for bringing up and working through this sensitive topic.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

How to recognize a successful family office and find a high performing private service environment with Mack International Partner Brian Adams

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0400

How do you recognize a great family office, and choose the right environment for a long term role?

In his role as a Partner at the retained executive search firm Mack International, Brian Adams vets family offices every day, and he knows the signs of a strong organization. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we explore the commonalities between successful family offices, and how to recognize a high performing, well-organized family office when you’re looking for a long-term fit.

Tune in to hear questions to ask and red flags to look for when you’re interviewing, as well as Brian's take on the importance of a family's shared sense of purpose.

Plus, be sure to check out Mohamed's interview on A Modern Approach to Estate Management on Brian's show, The Mack Podcast!

Transitioning from private chef to estate manager with Bay Area Estate Manager Melissa Winstead

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Melissa Winstead spent 15 years as a private chef before moving into an estate management role, and in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she's sharing how her experience in the kitchen serves her in her role today.

Tune in to hear the story of Melissa's career in private service and what she's learned along the way. Melissa shares what surprised her after making the switch, what she loves about working in an estate management role, and where she hopes her career will take her next.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Hiring the right private chef and setting them up for success with Sorensen Staffing Principal Marc Sorensen Leandro

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you find the right private chef for your household staff? Should you look for someone with Michelin star experience, or a deep knowledge of specific cuisines? And, how can you set a new chef up for success?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Marc Sorensen Leandro shares his tips for hiring managers based on his experience as a private chef turned recruiter. Tune in to hear his take on how to find the right private chef for your principals, what to look for in private chef candidates, and how to help a new private chef get up to speed quickly.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Luxury travel trends with Ryan Rudolph, Co-Founder of Luxurious Getaways

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Looking for inspiration for creating a luxury travel experience for your principals?

Ryan Rudolph, Co-Founder of Luxurious Getaways, joins us in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast to share what's trending in high-end travel, from today's most popular types of travel to the simple touches that make an experience special. Tune in to hear his insider tips for booking travel, ideas for crafting a creative experience, advice for security planning before a trip, and more.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Creating technical estate manuals with Modern Life Technical Solutions Founder & CEO Juliet Prater

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

In today's high tech estates, it's critical that both principals and household staff know where to turn when something goes wrong.

In a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Modern Life Technical Solutions Founder & CEO Juliet Prater shares her tips for building a technical estate manual. Tune in to hear why technical estate manuals are so important, what goes into them (and how specific you should be when documenting technology), and how the process of putting together a technical estate manual can create opportunities to learn more about the technology you manage.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Building out a team of private service professionals with Pocketbook Agency Co-Founder Brittany Dolin

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Hiring a team of private service professionals for your principal? Whether you're starting from scratch or inheriting a team, Brittany Dolin shares her tips for hiring managers in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Tune in to hear Brittany's tips for conducting an audit before you start the hiring process, the questions she asks every principal, and why she takes a matchmaking approach to hiring.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Endowing legacy properties with Winged Keel Group Principal Mark Richards

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How can an endowment help a family preserve a legacy property?

Mark Richards, a Principal at the independent life insurance brokerage firm Winged Keel Group, has spent decades helping families preserve their assets, and in this conversation, he shares the value of endowing legacy properties and how estate managers can support their principals in the process. Tune in to hear his take on how an endowment can help cover ongoing maintenance, the benefits of endowments when it comes to family dynamics, and tips for estate managers who want to start the conversation.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Designing vehicles for maximum productivity with Becker Automotive Design CEO Howard Becker

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Can a car also be an office, a gathering place, a space to relax?

Becker Automotive Design creates custom vehicles for VIPs in government, tech, Wall Street, Hollywood, sports and more from all over the world — always striving to say yes when clients pose creative challenges with the question, "this is great, but can you...?"

In a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Howard Becker digs into the challenges principals are trying to solve around transportation and what goes into creating a custom vehicle to meet their needs.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Overseeing complex development projects with Peak Projects Founder & CEO Grant Bowen

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you keep a complex development project running smoothly and bring a principal's vision to life?

Peak Projects Founder & CEO Grant Bowen shares insights around complex development projects in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Tune in to hear Grant's take on aligning teams around a vision, bringing in vendors with shared values, and why it's critical to talk with principals as well as their estate management teams early and often.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

The contractor’s perspective: tips for vetting and working with vendors

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you find great contractors and work with them effectively to get projects done the right way?

As a contractor himself, Loft Home Services Founder David Deray has a passion for helping people answer these questions. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, he shares the contractor's perspective to help you get the best results when working with vendors.

Tune in to hear his tips for choosing the right contractors, communicating effectively with craftsmen, and reducing risk. Plus, hear how he found his niche focusing on small projects and providing high end handyman services.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Trends in home automation systems with Global Wave Integration Founder & President Kyle Steele

Tue, 28 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

What's trending in home automation, and what's on its way out? What are principals looking for in smart home technology, and how do you ensure you're building a setup that actually works for their lifestyle?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Global Wave Integration Founder & President Kyle Steele digs into everything from home entertainment systems to cutting edge wellness technology. Hear his take on where the industry is going, how AI is shaping the future of home systems, and the questions you need to ask on every project to ensure you're building systems that work for your household.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Supporting principals who are aging in place with House Manager & Personal Assistant Laurie Reese

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you support a principal who's aging in place, or navigating a terminal illness at home?

Bay Area House Manager and Personal Assistant Laurie Reese has supported a number of principals through the most challenging moments of their lives, and in this heartfelt work, she's found her calling. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we talk with Laurie about her experience supporting families dealing with terminal illness, and how she navigates everything from listening to her principal’s needs to the logistics of closing down a life.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Training frontline household staff with DEPN Consulting Founder Dwight Nero

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:00:00 -0400

How can estate managers better support frontline staff? How can the right training benefit not only household staff, but also managers and principals?

Dwight Nero, Founder of DEPN Consulting, is passionate about helping frontline household staff get the training they need. He shares his take and his tips for training what he calls "the forgotten few" in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Protecting the world's most prominent individuals — what's changed and what hasn't with Gavin de Becker SVP of Threat Assessment and Management Bryan Niederhelm

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400

How has protecting the world's most prominent families and individuals changed over the last 50 years — and what's stayed the same?

Gavin de Becker & Associates Senior Vice President of Threat Assessment and Management Bryan Niederhelm digs into what's new and what remains core to executive protection in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Tune in to hear Bryan's take on new threats facing principals today, his advice for estate managers and private service professionals, and why bringing in the right people is key to keeping everyone safe.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Managing luxury construction projects as an owners rep with Leo Crane

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0400

What is the role of an owner's representative, and where does it start and end? What are the nuances of managing projects nearby and from afar? What skills do owner's reps need, and how do you become one?

Leo Crane answers all our owner's rep questions in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast. Tune in to hear how he manages projects all over the world from his home base in Bozeman, Montana, how building relationships has fueled his career, and his advice for anyone considering taking on an owner's rep role.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Maximizing value for families, family offices and estate management teams with Family Office Specialist & Succession Advisors Founder Alison Marckstadt

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

How do you maximize value across an organization? As a family office specialist, a former family office COO focused on estate management, a wealth advisor and consultant, Alison Marckstadt has spent the past 2 decades honing her ability to increase efficiency, bring the best out of her teams, and deliver the highest level service to her principals.

Hear Alison's tips and strategies for maximizing your household's budget and time in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Uncovering the principal's perspective with Tapestry Associates CEO Anne Lyons and President Judy Boerner-Rule

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0500

What are principals really thinking?

After making the transition from working within family offices to consulting for family offices, Tapestry CEO Anne Lyons and President Judy Boerner-Rule have a new perspective.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Anne and Judy share their aha moments from moving to the other side, as well as the patterns they see across families, family offices, and teams of private service professionals. Tune in to hear the stories of how they went from managing the estates of Paul Allen and Bill and Melinda Gates to running their own firm, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Live from the Estate Management Conference! Residential Hospitality Trends with Hannah Loudin, Director of Residences for The Tampa EDITION

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0500

In a special bonus episode of the Easemakers Podcast recorded live from the Estate Management Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, we explore the trend toward residential hospitality with Hannah Loudin, Director of Residences at The Tampa EDITION.

What does it mean when a job description includes "5 star hotel experience"? How should estate managers prepare for roles with the title, "Hospitality Manager"? Why is this trend on the rise, and what can private service professionals learn from luxury hotels? Find out in this special episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

This conversation was recorded in front of an audience of estate managers and private service industry partners, and you'll hear their questions at the end. Thank you to the Estate Management Conference for having us, and to everyone who joined in on the conversation!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Staying organized across multiple properties with NEAT Method Co-Founders Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0500

Getting organized — let alone staying organized — across multiple properties can be a huge undertaking, and no one knows that better than NEAT Method Co-Founders Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Ashley and Marissa share their expert tips for estate managers and anyone working to minimize chaos in their homes. Tune in to hear their strategies for managing moves, creating consistency across properties, and adding ease to everyday life, as well as their specific tips for estate managers who want to create seamless working relationships with organizers, interior designers, movers and more.

Plus, in the lightning round, don't miss the organizing hacks that Ashley and Marissa use in their own homes, as well as their favorite stories from their time organizing luxury homes!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

New season coming soon!

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0500

Today, the Easemakers Podcast is taking a break between seasons. In this episode, get a preview of upcoming conversations, and in the meantime, catch up on our past favorites! Thanks for listening!

Exploring alternative residence and citizenship with Judi Galst, Managing Director Private Clients at Henley & Partners

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0500

What do private service professionals need to know about alternative citizenship?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we explore why so many high net worth families are applying for alternative passports, and what you need to know about the process.

Tune in to hear Judi Galst, Managing Director Private Clients for Henley & Partners, the global leader in alternative residence and citizenship by investment, share examples of popular citizenship programs, the difference between residence and citizenship (and the benefits of each), and insights from helping families navigate the process of obtaining alternative citizenship.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Providing lifestyle management services within a public accounting firm with Jennifer Quent

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:00:00 -0500

What are the keys to providing excellent lifestyle management services to 25 different clients?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Jennifer Quent, a director in Marcum’s family office practice, shares what it's like to manage lifestyle and concierge services within a public accounting firm.

Tune in to hear the range of services Jennifer and her team provide in any given week, her tips for staying organized, and the pros and cons of supporting a number of different families at once. Plus, in the lightning round, hear how Jennifer's experience as a professional ballet dancer prepared her for a career in private service.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Breaking down communications siloes and creating harmony in estate management with Luxury Lifestyle Logistics Founder Jen Laurence

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Jen Laurence is an expert in helping households improve their communications and create harmony.

She's spent the past 23 years in estate management, and as the owner of Luxury Lifestyle Logistics, she works with principals and the private service professionals who support them for a week at a time. Her goal: to break down siloes and implement systems that keep everyone on the same page.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Jen shares her advice for private service professionals who want to build better systems of communication, her tips for identifying siloes, and her approach to helping households navigate change.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Time management and avoiding the 8 deadly time thieves with Professional Organizer Andrew Mellen

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Private service professionals often feel like there aren't enough hours in a day — but are you falling victim to the 8 deadly time thieves?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, professional organizer and bestselling author of Unstuff Your Life and Calling Bullsh*t on Busy Andrew Mellen shares his tips for time management. Tune in to hear how you can avoid time thieves like multitasking and interruptions, Andrew's strategies for reclaiming your time, and bonus tips around staying organized in every aspect of your job.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Resourcing: how to set your family office and household staff up for success, maximize your resources and ask for more with EFO Advisory Services Founder Rebecca Maguire

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In 20 years of working in single family offices, EFO Advisory Services Founder Rebecca Maguire has learned that there's often a disconnect between what principals think they need and what their teams actually need to operate effectively.

Many teams of private service professionals continue to take on more, operating on the brink of burnout but managing the chaos so well that their principals don't feel the pain. This is a lose, lose situation. Staff deserve support, and principals don't want to risk losing their best people. So, how do you know when your team has reached its bandwidth, and how do you ask for more resources?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Rebecca digs into resourcing and operations, exploring common challenges and offering expert tips for ensuring your team has what they need to be successful. Tune in to hear the risks of operating without the proper resources, how to navigate conversations around resourcing, and how to bring plans (not problems) to your principals, and tips for setting up systems and structure for your family office and household staff from the beginning.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Exploring the options for private air travel with Corporate Aviation CEO Ryan Hall

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Your principal wants to trade the hassle of commercial flights for a world-class private jet experience. How do you find the right experience for their travel needs?

Ryan Hall is a private aviation expert and the CEO of Corporate Aviation, a consulting firm designed to help individuals and corporations figure out the right private jet travel solution for their needs.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, he breaks down the advantages of buying a private plane, working with an air charter service, and owning a fraction of a private jet, and shares his tips for figuring out the right solution for any situation.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

The importance of an up to date home inventory — and how to create one for your household or estate with Pinventory Founder & CEO Carol Kaufman

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Do you know how to create a home inventory list? Why is inventory so important — to family members, to your insurance company and to your household staff? And, what exactly needs to be included on your home inventory checklist?

Years ago, Carol Kaufman learned the hard way that failing to do inventory properly can be a huge mistake — so she launched her own company to help households and estates minimize the risk of ending up in her shoes. Today, she’s the Founder and CEO of Pinventory and the consulting firm Alternatives TLC, and she's sharing her tips in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Tune in to hear Carol's take on why inventory is so important, the 7 types of inventory every private service professional should know, and her tips for creating a quick but comprehensive inventory for any household or estate (good news: you don’t need to write detailed descriptions of every item of personal property in the home to have a solid inventory).

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Virtual personal assisting and building a remote private service business with Tara Ulrich

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

What are the opportunities for private service professionals who want to work from home? And, what are the challenges that come with a remote position?

Tara Ulrich knows the answers to these questions firsthand. She’s spent her career as an administrative assistant, working first as a remote executive assistant for a nonprofit, then taking on a remote personal assistant job with a company that provided virtual assistant services.

Now, she’s a full-time business owner. As the Founder of Timeless Virtual Assistance, she’s spent the past 8+ years handling a range of administrative tasks for clients across the country, and recently brought on her first team member. Her day can include booking travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, making phone calls to vendors, event planning, social media management, project management, calendar management and more.

In a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Tara shares her insights on remote work, the pros and cons of working from home in private service, and her tips for building a virtual assistant business.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Managing farms, ranches and agricultural properties (and what you need to know about agricultural property tax exemption) with Director of Properties Stephanie Galetzki

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Your principals come to you and say they want to buy a ranch or some kind of agricultural property, and they’d like to set it up as a business to qualify for an agricultural property tax exemption. Now what?

Colorado based Director of Properties and Agricultural Manager Stephanie Galetzki has helped several families and family offices navigate the process, and in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she shares everything you need to know.

Tune in to hear reasons to set up land for agricultural purposes and reasons not to (and what each option means for the principal's lifestyle and their property tax bill), the conversations you need to have with your principal up front, and the differences between an estate and an agricultural property when it comes to staffing, operations, and accounting for expenditures. Plus, learn how to figure out your tax laws and eligibility requirements, who can help point you in the right direction, and why it’s important to network with other farmers and local government officials.

For anyone curious about managing agricultural properties, this episode is a must-listen!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Household staff compensation trends & takeaways from the 2022 Estate and Household Staff Compensation Report with Botoff Consulting Managing Principal Trish Botoff & Senior Consultant Jennifer Adams

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

What are the trends in household staffing salaries and compensation? How much does compensation affect tenure and turnover? Which employees are you most at risk of losing?

Botoff Consulting wanted to help answer these questions, and provide data to help families and family offices recruit top private service professionals and retain their best household staff members. In 2022, they surveyed 300 families and family offices in the first compensation study in the family office world solely focused on household staff. The Estate and Household Staff Compensation Report, published by Morgan Stanley and Botoff Consulting, covers 30 positions, including estate managers, housekeepers, private chefs and more.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Botoff Consulting Managing Principal Trish Botoff and Senior Consultant Jennifer Adams share how to interpret the data to make smart decisions around compensation, and dig into key takeaways around overtime, turnover, long-term incentives and more.

Tune in to hear why it's important to do regular check-ins with the market, what goes into creating a compensation strategy, where certifications affect compensation in private service, and tips for estate managers advocating for compensation increases for their household staff.

Check out the complimentary report and the full report at botoffconsulting.com and follow along with Botoff to be a part of future surveys.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Understanding today's insurance market with Atténuer Risk Managing Principal Kate Norris

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

What do you need to know about today’s insurance market, and how do you decide when to submit a claim and when not to?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we talk with Kate Norris, Managing Principal for the risk management firm, Atténuer Risk. Kate has spent her career in the family office world — first in wealth management, then at the Family Office Exchange.

During this conversation, she shares her tips for private service professionals, including what to consider when something goes wrong, the key factors in deciding whether you should submit a claim, common mistakes to avoid, and more. Tune in to get her tips for protecting your principals' insurability (and your own!).

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Managing wardrobes and personal styling with Natalie Decleve

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

How do you manage an extensive wardrobe — especially when you’re working across multiple properties?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, personal stylist Natalie Decleve shares her tips for private service professionals tasked with managing their principals’ wardrobes.

Natalie started her career in fashion, and in 2009, started helping CEOs, celebrities and more create the perfect wardrobe. She supports her clients with everything from image consulting to closet cleanses and shopping. And, she works closely with the private service professionals who support them to manage everyday personal styling, closet organizing and wardrobe management across multiple properties.

In this conversation, Natalie shares what she’s learned about how personal style affects overall wellness, as well as her tips for managing an extensive wardrobe. Tune in to hear Natalie’s tips for managing wardrobes across multiple properties, inventories, closet editing and more.

Follow along with Natalie @natty_style.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Navigating uncomfortable conversations with principals and communicating effectively with high net worth individuals with Luxury Estate Managers of Aspen President Sarah Korpela

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

As the President of Luxury Estate Managers of Aspen, Sarah Korpela has had countless difficult conversations with her high net worth clients. In 15 years managing high end properties in Aspen, Colorado, and now in Scottsdale, Arizona, she's learned how to manage everyone's expectations, what to do when something goes wrong, and why brutal honesty is key.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Sarah shares what she's learned about navigating uncomfortable conversations with high net worth clients and building strong relationships from the beginning.

Tune in to hear the questions she asks when she starts working with a new family, the most common frustrations that principals have, and her tips for setting up strong systems of communication between private service professionals and the families they support.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Working with hyper-growth family offices and scaling your household operations with Director of Properties Jeffrey Konen

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

As a Director of Properties in the Bay Area, Jeffrey Konen has helped a number of families navigate the challenges of scaling their household operations after a wealth event.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Jeffrey shares what it's like to work with a high-growth family office, covering everything from questions to ask in an interview to how to keep morale up on your team.

Tune in to hear Jeffrey's tips for private service professionals in a rapidly changing and growing environment, the questions he always asks principals, and his advice for setting up systems that set everyone in the household up for success.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Building strong systems of communication and creating a legacy of knowledge with Lifestyle Manager and Estate Consultant Phoebe Maddrell

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Today, Phoebe Maddrell is a freelance lifestyle manager and estate consultant based in the UK, but she's worked in just about every kind of environment you can imagine — from guest homes to superyachts and estates.

Over the years, she's honed her ability to create effective systems for communication, helping households operate seamlessly and create a historical record that keeps things running smoothly for years to come.

Tune in to hear Phoebe's tips for communicating with your team, meeting people where they are, and taking the time to document everything you're doing to save your team (and your future self) time in the long run.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Protecting assets from risk during hurricane season with Fortress Chief Operating Officer Tom Burns

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

This month marks the beginning of hurricane season. How do you make sure a property — and all of the fine art, antiques, and other valuable assets within it — are safe from risk?

In this conversation, we talk with Tom Burns, Chief Operating Officer at Fortress — the Boston and Miami-based storage and preservation company that specializes in fine art, antiques, and more. Tom shares best practices for preparing for hurricane season, tips for unexpected worst-case scenarios, and advice for any estate manager responsible for preserving a private collection.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Improving your household’s cybersecurity with Annapurna Cybersecurity Founder & CEO Tony Gebely

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Tony Gebely spent a decade running information technology for the ultra-high net worth membership organization Family Office Exchange. He became the team’s subject matter expert on cybersecurity, and started meeting with members about security measures. Soon, he realized that many of them shared a common problem: they wanted to reduce their vulnerabilities, but no one knew where to start.

Today, as the founder and CEO of Annapurna Cybersecurity, he helps families audit their vulnerabilities and set up critical infrastructure to protect against cyber incidents. His goal is to provide families with comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, and in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, he’s sharing what he’s learned along the way.

Tune in to hear critical steps to protect a household from cybersecurity threats, why it's important to have a strategy that covers every aspect of the household, and Tony's advice for educating everyone from the family to the household staff about best practices to protect against phishing and other common cyber threats.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Managing complex moves with Bond and Des Voeux Founder Eve Ward

Tue, 23 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

How do you move a priceless chandelier? What should you know before moving internationally? Do you really need to inventory a home when you're moving?

Every move is challenging, but high end relocation is even more complex. As a move concierge and relocation specialist and the Founder of Bond and Des Voeux, Eve Ward has seen it all — and in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she's sharing her tips for anyone managing a complex move.

Tune in to hear Eve's tips for estate managers on everything from inventory and communication to working with vendors.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

From jewelry to NFTs: managing private collections with Collections Manager and Personal Assistant Naomi Sosnovsky

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Naomi Sosnovsky always knew she wanted to work in private service — specifically, with people who have a passion for collecting. She's studied art history, archaeology, and fashion, and she's worked in museums and on red carpets, all to give her a deeper understanding of the world's most beautiful objects and the people who collect them.

Now, in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Naomi shares what she's learned about both collections and collectors. She covers common mistakes principals and private service professionals make caring for jewelry and couture, her advice for PSPs tasked with handling their principals' prized possessions, and why she's dedicated her career to this unique aspect of private service.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Service at sea: from chefing on yachts to planning private charters with Rose Jolis

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Rose Jolis' career in private service has taken her all over the world. She started out as a chef, and after cooking and catering on land with Martha Stewart, she spent 27 years on private yachts.

She fell in love with creating unforgettable trips — and now, serves as a Charter Broker with Denison Yachting.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Rose shares her tips for any private service professionals tasked with planning a yacht vacation, as well as stories and insights from her life at sea.

Find Rose on LinkedIn and at denisonyachtsales.com, and check out bonus resources from this conversation in the Easemakers community.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Executive protection, life safety, and being prepared for anything with Estate Manager and Executive Protection Specialist Scott Sanders

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In a high net worth household, security is a top priority. If you support a celebrity, a dignitary, or a well-known corporate executive, you may be highly familiar with VIP protection and security services or work alongside a secret service or executive protection agent. But even households without a dedicated private security team need to get ahead of vulnerabilities and ensure they’re taking proactive security measures.

This week on the Easemakers Podcast, Estate Manager and Executive Protection Specialist Scott Sanders shares how private service professionals can take basics steps to ensure their own preparedness and protect the wellbeing of everyone in the household.

During our conversation, Scott shares tips on building a relationship with law enforcement and other local authorities, executive protection training, and how to reduce personal risk — from having a basic skill set in first aid to improving residential security and sending security advances when you’re traveling.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Negotiating your salary and how to advocate for a 20%+ raise with Career Coach Donna Shannon

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Whether you're asking for a raise or negotiating your salary for a new role, navigating money conversations in private service is challenging.

As the Founder and CEO of Personal Touch Career Services, Career Coach Donna Shannon has supported countless private service professionals through the job search process with writing services and coaching, and she's passionate about helping PSPs land the salary they deserve.

This week on the Easemakers Podcast, Donna shares how to advocate for a 20% pay increase, the #1 thing holding private service professionals back, and the #1 thing you can do to go into salary negotiations with confidence.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Off-market experiences and what principals really want with Myria Co-Founder & CEO Rey Flemings

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In his decades long private service career, Rey Flemings has learned that principals want unique experiences no one else can find.

He started out working in family offices, then built the off-market concierge services firm, The Blue. Now, he's the Co-Founder and CEO of Myria, a private marketplace that offers goods, services and experiences you can’t Google.

This week on the Easemakers Podcast, Rey shares what he's learned about what principals really want — from how they want their home to feel to the exclusive experiences that make them feel special. Plus, he shares why kindness is a core value for Myria, and how private service professionals can recognize kind, respectful principals who deserve their support.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Hybrid roles in private service: the other perspective from a household staffing agency

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Hybrid roles are a hot topic in the private service industry. Every week, household staffing agencies post new job descriptions for nanny-family assistants, house manager-chefs, etc. Some seem reasonable, and others leave private service professionals shaking their heads, wondering how any one person could be expected to take on so much work.

Why are we seeing an increase in demand for hybrid positions in private service? Why are principals looking to hire for hybrid roles in their households, and what's the role of household staffing agencies in this trend?

This week on the Easemakers Podcast, Jenni Vaughan shares the other side of the story. After spending 15 years in private service, she joined Domestic Match as a recruiter, and today serves as the domestic staffing agency's Estate Staffing Director. In this conversation, she shares her take on hybrid roles, why she believes hybrid roles aren't a threat to traditional roles (because those aren't going anywhere), and what private service professionals should know about what goes on behind the scenes.

This conversation builds on a panel from the Estate Management Conference, which is available as a recording to Estate Management Network pro members at estatenetwork.org.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

From managing properties in the islands to building a business in NC: growing a career side by side with Fractional Estate Manager Catherine Smith

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Catherine Smith and her husband Stuart Smith have built a career in private service side by side.

They were living in the Virgin Islands when they stumbled upon a job in private service. For two years, Catherine managed the house while Stuart managed the property. Then, a hurricane changed everything — setting them on a new path to building their own fractional estate management business in their home state of North Carolina.

In this conversation, Catherine shares what it's like to grow your career alongside your spouse, and stories from their experiences managing properties in the islands and developing their own company.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Memorial planning and the role of family office and household staff in the remembrance process with LHT Consultant Jeff Lambert

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Memorial planning is a tough subject, but it's even trickier for estate management teams. Jeff Lambert has seen the impact of being prepared — first in a family office role, and now as a consultant.

He spent 24 years with the RDV Corporation, a multi-generational family office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There, he spent 10 years leading the planning and implementation of the funerals and related memorial activities for Richard and Helen DeVos.

But according to LHT Consulting Group, where Jeff now guides households and family offices through the memorial process, 9 out of 10 family offices do not have a funeral or memorial event plan in place.

In this conversation, Jeff shares why it's important for everyone in the household to be prepared, how to have difficult conversations around memorial planning, and his advice for private service professionals during the memorial process.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

[Special episode] Celebrating the voices of our community

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500

In our final episode of 2022, members of the Easemakers community share what they've learned this year, what they're grateful for, and what they're looking forward to in the New Year.

Thank you to Jared Miles, Jean Weiss, Shelby Boudreau and Brooke Lawrence for being a part of this special episode, and to everyone who's been a part of our show this year! Thank you to our guests for sharing your words of wisdom with us, and thanks to all of you for tuning in, leaving us reviews and ratings, and joining the conversation in the Easemakers community. You make this community (and this podcast!) special, and we're grateful to all of you for supporting and encouraging each other.

We'll be back in 2023 after a short break, and we look forward to more wonderful conversations in the New Year! In the meantime, subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to catch up on all our past episodes, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them. From Kristin, Mo, Jacco, and the entire team at Nines, happy holidays! Wishing you all the best in the new year, and looking forward to continuing to work together to move the industry forward in 2023.

Using interpersonal tactics to foster better communication among teams with luxury management services consultant Tejai Singh

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500

You want your household staff to work together seamlessly — but sometimes, different communication styles get in the way.

In years of working with teams of household staff to make sure everyone's trained properly and working together seamlessly, Tejai Singh has found some unexpected resources to help team members understand each other better.

When she starts working with a new team of private service professionals, she has them read books that are typically used to fortify interpersonal relationships, like The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

In the latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Tejai shares why she encourages a team retreat to help team members understand each other, and how she applies The Four Agreements (be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best) with teams of private service professionals.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Navigating a new generation of principals in private service with Silver Swan Recruitment Founder & Managing Director Philippa Smith

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0500

A new generation of principals is starting to hire household staff — so what does that mean for private service professionals?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Philippa Smith, the Founder & Managing Director of Silver Swan Recruitment and the host of the Life in Private Staffing podcast, shares what she's learned about younger principals, and how PSPs can stand out in the hiring process.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Being persistent and standing up to vendors (in a nice way) with Estate Manager Bobbie Halminiak

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Like most estate managers, Bobbie Halminiak learned everything she knows on the job — which means she's learned a lot of lessons the hard way.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Bobbie shares the story of one the biggest challenges of her career, how she stayed persistent to find a solution, and what she learned about working with vendors along the way.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

The service mindset and going above and beyond with Director of Residences John Christensen

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

John Christensen is a 25-year private service veteran, who grew up with service mindset.

John's parents owned hotels and restaurants in Denmark, and he worked his way up, starting as a dishwasher at his dad’s restaurant when he was 14. He planned to eventually take over the family business, but when he left Denmark to get experience in hotel management, he fell into private service instead. He became an Estate Manager in Jupiter, FL, and then a Director of Residences, overseeing 10+ properties at a time.

In this conversation, John shares stories of going above and beyond, and his tips for other private service professionals looking to stand out (and maintain a sense of balance at the same time).

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

And, check out our workshop, Modern Household Management: How to Streamline Operations for Homes and Estates — designed to help you feel ready take on the operations of any home, prepared for the year ahead, and confident in your ability to manage a growing estate. Save your spot at ninesliving.com/workshop.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

From TV costumes to private service: being prepared for anything with Estate Manager Jean Weiss

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Jean Weiss spent 15 years in entertainment, doing costumes on shows like ER, the West Wing, and Parks and Recreation. Today, as an estate manager, she says her TV career prepared her for private service. Her keen attention to detail and ability to move at lightning speed help her feel ready for anything.

In this conversation, Jean shares the story of a recent crisis — and how she was able to navigate it with a cool head and a service heart.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

And, check out our upcoming workshop, Modern Household Management: How to Streamline Operations for Homes and Estates — designed to help you feel ready take on the operations of any home, prepared for the year ahead, and confident in your ability to manage a growing estate. Save your spot at ninesliving.com/workshop.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Learning the basics of property management and household operations with estate manager Shelby Boudreau

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

In a special bonus episode of the Easemakers Podcast, expert estate manager shares steps for getting started with household operations, and her tips for turning chaos into predictable work.

In a new household operations workshop starting October 19th, Shelby will dig into the themes she covers in this bonus podcast. Modern Household Management: How to Streamline Operations for Homes and Estates is designed to help you feel ready take on the operations of any home, prepared for the year ahead, and confident in your ability to manage a growing estate. Save your spot at ninesliving.com/workshop.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Growing from nanny to household and estate manager

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Brianna has spent her entire career in private service — but over the years, she's grown and evolved, right alongside her principals' families. She started out as a nanny and a family assistant, but knew someone needed to take on the role of managing the household.

She started taking on more and more, and over time, she became an estate manager. For the last 10 years, she's worked with the same family, but her role has changed completely.

In the latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Brianna shares the story of how she went from nanny to estate manager, and how she's navigated that growth path while staying with the same principals.

Tune in to hear how she and her team brought more structure to the home, and her advice for aspiring estate managers.

And, check out our new workshop, Modern Household Management: How to Streamline Operations for Homes and Estates, designed to help you tackle household operations in 3 weeks. Enroll today — class starts October 19!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Serving as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II with Chris Ely

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

In February, 1981, on his 18th birthday, Chris Ely started his first job out of school: serving as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the next three years, Chris catered state dinners at Buckingham Palace, learned the intricacies of each of the Queen’s homes, traveled on the royal yacht, and had a front-row seat to history (sometimes, with a view from the Queen’s carriages).

Today, as the world mourns the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, Chris shares what it was like to serve at Buckingham Palace, what he learned from watching the Queen, and how his time there affected the rest of his 40 year career in private service.

Thank you to Chris for sharing his stories with us!

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Mayday case study: overcoming 'hell week' with fractional Estate Manager Latricia Friend

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400

One week, three holiday dinners, no notice. When Holy Week turned into 'hell week,' Latricia Friend made the impossible possible for her principals — and now, she's sharing how she did it in the latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

In this conversation, Latricia shares the story of how she was able to juggle three holiday dinners for three different families, all in the same week — with just a few days to plan. We break down how she made it happen, and share takeaways for private service professionals who want to be prepared for anything.

Tune in to hear how Latricia navigated her 'mayday' situation, her tips for motivating everyone around you, and why networking can save you when you're under pressure.

To hear more from Latricia, be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn, and tune into the 5-Star Service Club on Thursdays at 7:30pm ET.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

The tension between estate managers and interior designers (and how to avoid it)

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Estate managers and interior designers both want to make their principals happy — so why is it such a challenge to work together? We asked two friends to debate some common scenarios, and to share how they've built a positive working relationship.

Peter Van Ryder is the owner of Estate Management Solutions, a placement, recruitment, training, and consulting firm based in Dallas, TX. English Minter is a Dallas-based interior designer, who started working with Peter through a shared client.

They've been through it all — a lofty vision from their principal, tight deadlines, and lots of push and pull between their competing priorities. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, they share stories and lessons learned from their time working together, in hopes of helping you build stronger relationships.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Managing risk in household employment with TEAM CEO Rachel Green

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Household employment can be riddled with risk. How do you create a healthy work environment, get ahead of challenges, and keep tough situations from escalating?

As the CEO of TEAM, an all-in-one payroll and HR provider that’s custom-built for household staff, Rachel Green has seen it all — and in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she's sharing real-life stories and tips to help you minimize risk.

Tune in as we break down hiring, exits, and everything in between. You'll hear why households get into trouble, how to prevent the "snowball" effect, and advice for handling difficult conversations the right way.

Plus, in the lightning round, don't miss the tips Rachel learned in client services and as a CEO that every PSP should hear.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

A "gilded age" in private service: trends in job descriptions, salaries and more with Staffing Consultant Brian Daniel

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Brian Daniel has worked with billionaires, royalty and Hollywood A-listers — first as a personal assistant, and then as a recruiter. He's seen it all in his 25 years in the industry, but he says today is a unique moment in history: a gilded age in private service.

Why? Demand for private service roles is higher than ever, salaries are climbing, and the opportunities are endless. But how do principals and private service professionals navigate this "gilded age," and find a long-lasting fit?

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Brian shares insights on the trends he's seeing right now, his take on hybrid roles, and his tips for anyone looking for the right match in private service.

To hear more from Brian, check out his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to learn from more expert private service professionals, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Caring for couture and managing high-end wardrobes with Garde Robe VP Doug Greenberg

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 13:00:00 -0400

How do you care for a luxury wardrobe and manage the closet of a couture collector? After 20+ years in business, the team at Garde Robe knows the ins and outs of caring for precious clothing. The luxury wardrobe storage and valet service has seen it all — and in this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Greenberg is sharing practical tips and lessons learned for private service professionals.

Tune in to hear the most common mistakes people make managing wardrobes, what estate managers should know about couture, and how he'd build a dream closet.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more expert private service professionals, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Service squared: inside the military's enlisted aide program

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Edgardo Roman Bolaños and Teresa Vanderford have service hearts, times two. Both Roman and Teresa combined their backgrounds in private service with careers in military service.

As enlisted aides, they supported Air Force generals with everything from travel and uniform preparation to household management and entertaining.

Now, they're sharing what they learned in years of supporting top-ranked military leaders on the latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast. Tune in to hear the similarities and differences between being an enlisted aide and a civilian private service professional, and lessons learned from a career in private service within military service.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more expert private service professionals, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Managing second homes and seasonal properties with LakeTime Management's Kelly Cooper

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

When Kelly Cooper made the switch from hospitality to concierge services, she was surprised to find that her clients all shared a similar set of challenges — and they all revolved around their homes.

Today, Kelly handles everything from vendor management to "Sunday services" so her clients can enjoy every minute of their time at the lake, without any hassle.

Tune in to hear Kelly's tips for managing second homes, her lessons learned from working with vendors and staff in a tourist town, and her advice to homeowners and estate managers overseeing seasonal properties from afar.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more expert private service professionals, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Why private service professionals need better backup with advocate and author Bonnie Low-Kramen

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:00:00 -0400

When Bonnie Low-Kramen looks back on her 25 years working as the Personal Assistant to Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, she wishes she'd had better backup. Today, Bonnie is an advocate and coach for other private service professionals, and in the latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she's sharing what she's learned about how to prevent burnout by getting PSPs the backup they need.

Tune in to hear her take on who's responsible for fixing burnout and creating systems for backup, why she's a big fan of household manuals and user manuals for people, and what she thinks every principal needs to hear.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more expert private service professionals and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis. Plus, hear more from Bonnie in her TEDx Talk, The Real Reasons People Quit, and her article, You've Got Their Back, Who's Got Yours?

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Managing construction projects for luxury homes with Estate Manager Tammy Goforth

Tue, 10 May 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Estate Manager Tammy Goforth met her first principals when she worked on the construction of their new home as a landscape architect. They asked her to join their household full time, and she moved into private service, managing countless construction projects over the next 20+ years.

Today, as the CEO and Founder of Crown Estate Services, she serves as an owner's representative, overseeing a number of projects for a number of principals.

Tune in to this episode of the Easemakers Podcast to hear Tammy break down the A to Z of a construction project for a luxury home, from the idea to the final product. You'll hear her tips for balancing your day to day workload with a major project, what to keep in mind at each stage of the process, and more.

Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more expert private service professionals and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Fractional estate management: managing multiple principals and properties with Estate Manager Christopher Milu

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Christopher Milu never planned on becoming a fractional estate manager. But when his principal suggested he help some of her friends while she was traveling, his career took an unexpected turn. Today, he runs his own fractional estate management company, MCM Estate Management Services, managing multiple principals, properties, and private service professionals.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Christopher shares everything from his daily routine to his advice for anyone thinking about starting a fractional estate management business. Hear how juggling multiple households impacts Christopher's stress level, work-life balance, relationships with his principals, and more.

Catch up on season 1 of the Easemakers Podcast to hear from David Gonzalez, Marta Perrone, Peter Van Ryder and more, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, household management software and services built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

The perks and challenges of working with celebrities with Estate Manager J Dennis Paulin

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Dream of working with a celebrity? Trying to figure out if working for someone in the spotlight is right for you? Estate manager J Paulin worked for one of the biggest names in show business — and weighs in on the pros and cons in our latest episode of the Easemakers Podcast.

Fresh out of butler school, J Paulin landed his first job in private service with a Hollywood legend: comedian Bob Hope. To this day, J says the Hopes are still the best principals he's ever worked with, and he continues to use the entertaining tips he learned from Dolores Hope.

Tune in to learn what to consider before working with a celebrity, questions to ask during the interview process, and how working with a celebrity can affect everything from your day-to-day workload to your paycheck.

Catch up on season 1 of the Easemakers Podcast to hear from David Gonzalez, Marta Perrone, Peter Van Ryder and more, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the first dynamic household management platform built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Making your vendors feel a part of the team with Estate Manager Shelby Boudreau

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Shelby Boudreau managed a Maine estate as it grew from one property to 16, and learned the role of an estate manager from the ground up. Working in what she calls "the self-employed capital of the United States," she found that independent contractors were key to her success.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Shelby shares why treating your vendors like they are employees can be a game changer.

Listen to get her tips for building lasting relationships with your vendors, her strategies for bringing new vendors into the fold, and her advice for handling tough situations, including how to react when someone drops the ball.

Check out our stories to get more tips for managing your vendors, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs like Shelby on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the first dynamic household management platform built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Building an effective household manual with estate management expert Marta Perrone

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0500

In 20 years of placing housekeepers, Marta Perrone kept running into the same problem: her clients weren’t instructing housekeepers on how they wanted their households to be run. Today, she helps households overcome this challenge by creating personalized house manuals that give staff members the training they need to be successful, minimize stress for principals and estate managers, and help the entire household run smoothly.

In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Marta shares her tips for building an effective household manual.

Listen to hear her secrets for creating a manual that helps everyone on staff meet their principals' expectations, what she can tell about a household just by looking at the laundry room, and why she feels every home — no matter the square footage or number of staff members — needs a manual.

Learn more about how Marta is partnering with Nines to help households build smarter, more dynamic household manuals, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the first dynamic household management platform built for discerning households and the private service professionals who support them.

Agencies, references and resumes: finding a match in private service with EstateJobs.com’s David Gonzalez

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0500

As the owner of the #1 site for private service job listings, David Gonzalez knows the ins and outs of resume writing, choosing the right references (and deciding who to trust with them), and bridging the gap between candidates and agencies.

In this episode, David shares what he's learned in his time as a personal assistant turned recruiter and owner of EstateJobs.com.

Listen to hear his secrets for crafting a better resume, his thoughts on why you see "local candidates only" on so many job descriptions (and how you should respond), his advice for sourcing and sharing your references (while protecting your professional contacts), and more.

Check out David's book, The Insider's Guide to Household Staffing, to learn more, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the first all-in-one platform for estate and household management.

Becoming a better communicator with Director of Residences Fiona Spence-McNeil

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Director of Residences Fiona Spence-McNeil is known by her colleagues as the "Fiona whisperer" — but she earned her reputation as an effective communicator after years of hard work. She says becoming a better communicator rests on your ability to listen.

In this episode, Fiona shares her strategies to help her fellow estate managers, including:

How to talk someone down from a "10" so you can have a calm, productive conversation
How to communicate with everyone, from an entry-level housekeeper to your principal
Her go-to acronym for dealing with tough conversations

Want to connect with other estate managers like Fiona on a regular basis? Join the conversation in the Easemakers community.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the first all-in-one platform for estate and household management.

Navigating the job search with Estate Management Solutions' Peter Van Ryder

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500

As a private service professional turned recruiter, Peter Van Ryder knows the ins and outs of the job search process. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Peter shares his top tips for estate managers and private service professionals looking for not just their next role, but the right role.

Listen to hear his insights on:

Common mistakes PSPs make during the job search process — and how to avoid them
Ghosting, and what you should know about rejection emails
Aha moments after transitioning from estate management to recruiting

Peter started his career working in hotels, hospitality and technology before finding his true passion in private service. After two decades working in private homes, he decided he wanted to fill a gap in the industry by educating private service professionals. He launched Estate Management Solutions in 2010. Today, he offers a weekend course, The Essentials of Household & Estate Management, as well as placement services and household staffing. He also hosts the Five Star Service Club with Latricia Friend on Clubhouse.

Want to connect with other estate managers about navigating the job search process? Join the conversation in the Easemakers community.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the modern platform for streamlining household management.

Driving change with Estate Management Network's Kimberly Varney

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500

After 20 years in private service, veteran estate manager Kimberly Varney noticed a disconnect in how people across the industry understand the role of an estate manager. The lack of a standardized definition makes it difficult to write and decipher job descriptions and to find the right job (or the right hire). And without enough opportunities for connection and professional development in estate management, how will we fix these problems? This question led Kimberly to launch the Estate Management Network, and to plan the Estate Management Conference on January 29, 2022. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, you'll hear why Kimberly saw the need for a state of the industry conference, and how she hopes it will drive change for estate managers.

Want to share your own thoughts about driving change in estate management? Join the conversation in the Easemakers community.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the modern platform for streamlining household management.

How to foster an amazing team with Director of Residences Jared Miles

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0500

How do you build a great team, help employees grow, and hold onto your best private service professionals? We asked Director of Residences Jared Miles to share what he's learned about managing people in his 24 year career in private service.

Want to share your own tips for leading a team with other estate managers? Join the conversation in the Easemakers community.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the modern platform for streamlining household management.

Introducing the Easemakers Podcast

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Easemakers Podcast for people who are passionate about the art of private service. Tune in to hear stories and tips from top estate managers, personal assistants and other private service professionals.

Want to be a part of the conversation? Join the Easemakers community for private service professionals.

The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the modern platform for streamlining household management.