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 hospita...
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...
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 tip...
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 ...
Nick Washburn fell into private service at 18 years old, when he landed a job on a groundskeeping team. Since then, he's grown in his career to become an ultra-high net worth estate manager who oversees properties in New York City, Washington, DC, Westchester and Martha's Vineyard. In his current role, he manages 15 properties and a wide range of assets, including 2 equestrian facilities, 3 rentals, private jet hangers, and a private pier, as well as 15 staff members and more than 100 contrac...
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 ...
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. Tu...
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. Subs...
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 candi...
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 Ease...
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...
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 industr...
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 dyna...
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 creat...
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 fro...
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, h...
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 t...
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’...
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...
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 b...