Dear Billionaire

When I think of a successful, live-in staffing scenario, I can only come up with Alice from The Brady Bunch.Fast forward to today and real-life situations…I'm not sure live-in situations are a good idea. I've seen many bad examples lately of House Managers losing their livelihood and housing – and not being prepared with a Plan B. If you think about the most stressful situations in life, aside from death and divorce, a new job and moving are at the top.In this episode I share:- How the employer and employee/tenant relationship can be tested- The upsides for homeowners- Real talk when it comes to the selling point of "free housing"- My best suggestions for live-in employment- An alternative arrangement for homeowners whose focus is rental incomePLUS: When it comes to private service professionals, I also share things to look out for in these employment + housing arrangements.Thanks for listening!Here's the blog post Kelly mentions in this episode, on setting healthy boundaries with household staff: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/blog/when-staff-become-family-here-is-how-to-set-boundariesFor more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

In the past, I have written and spoken a lot about Unicorn Employees (i.e., required tech skills for house managers, world-class service goals, leadership requirements, system-building skills, and team building).If you Google Unicorn Employee, you'll find numerous articles that outline the ideal candidate or employee. But, if you Google Unicorn Employer, you'll come up with NOTHING.Let's change this.In this episode, I define a Unicorn Employer, share the associated benefits of reaching this status for the homeowner and what it takes to reach it, and outline 9 Red Flags that an UHNWI is not on the path to becoming a Unicorn Employer.The sooner you start climbing the Unicorn Employer ladder, the faster you'll reap the benefits of better candidates, longer staff retention, and world-class service from those committed to serving you and your family.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

I did a Coffee Talk about a month ago on what private service professionals need to do to keep a principal's secret as a secret. Today I'm going to talk about what the homeowner – the principal, the employer – needs to do so that their secrets aren't divulged to their household staff.We keep secrets from other people. But if a homeowner is constantly pressing their staff with statements like, “What do you know about this?”, and they're constantly needing to process their words before they say them so that they don't divulge the secret, that can cause within your staff members:- anxiety,- depression,- eating disorders,- sleeping disorders, - overspending, and- all sorts of addictions to cope. So it's not just a simple thing like, “Hey, I've got a secret. My housekeeper knows it. What's the big deal? She's got a non-disclosure agreement.” That's why we're talking about this – it goes so much deeper than that.Don't push the boundaries of your housekeeping staff's professionalism to put a secret in their lap. Realize that they're going to listen. They're going to smile. They'll say that they're going to hold that secret. And a little part of them is going to die inside knowing now that they are burdened with that information.Do not take that as loyalty. Take that as fear. And that's not a good situation. Remember, we're here to build long-term, sustainable, win-win relationships.Some of the framework for this episode is based on Michael Slepian's book The Secret Life of Secrets. Find it here on Amazon.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

Dear Billionaire, You need an ORG CHART for your household team.Yes, you do! I know you're rolling your eyes, but listen up....Whether you have a small housekeeping team or a family office, in this episode I explain the benefits of this important one-page document. (Or use Post-It notes!) And...drum roll, please...I have a free org chart template to make this task a little easier. You can get it here: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/household-staffing-organization-chart-template-optinThanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

This week I thought I would walk you through a property assessment and why these are so important to any homeowner – but especially if you're new to the property. I was on a site visit last week at a house where the homeowner had purchased it within the last 6 months to a year. They have had full blown renovations happening since they purchased it, and they purchased it as is. However, nobody did a full inspection of the property. In this episode I share what I found, what's critical, and how I put this property assessment together.Thanks for listening.Get your FREE Property Assessment Report Template here: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/property-assessment-report-template-optinFor more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

At midnight on Sunday, I was awakened by my phone vibrating. Not in a standard, silenced phone call way; more like an Amber Alert. Without my glasses on, I dismissed it and went back to sleep. Minutes later, I heard one of many tornado sirens blast – longer than their average weekly testing. After the third or fourth round, I couldn't ignore them. I got out of bed to look outside and check the weather; dead stillness. However, there was a hazy yellowish glow in the sky. The American flag that flies over the nearby bank's rooftop – my visual form of a weather vane – was utterly still. Sirens were still blaring. I checked the weather app on my phone. High winds were headed our way. I checked Tulsa Weather on Facebook, which confirmed exceptionally high winds were expected. What happened after this was truly amazing. And even though I had long lists of emergency preparedness procedures and supplies for this exact situation, living through it gave me a different awareness.In this episode, I share 10 things I learned from this experience that will help you prepare for emergencies. To implement your family plan, check out our How to Manage a Mansion™(HTMM™) Emergency Preparedness module: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/shop/p/htmm-emergency-preparednessThanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

If you employ staff in your home, you are likely already using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). And if you do, you probably have stipulations in it like the following, to which your staff have signed their understanding:- They will not be involved in the preparation of a book, article, story, video, or film about the homeowner, their family business, their business interests, or their personal lives, interests, assets, or properties.- And they will not disclose confidential information on blogs, Wikipedia, social networks, virtual worlds, or social media.The problem? Even with specific language like this, your NDAs can have "gray areas" which, if they are not addressed, can lead to questions and conduct from the private service professionals you employ that go against the privacy level you expected when staff signed your agreement.This episode of the Dear Billionaire Podcast sheds light on some NDA gray areas to look for to best protect both your family and your staff.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

When it comes to hiring new staff, does it ever feel like you're jumping off a cliff into the abyss? Like you and a private service professional are getting married without knowing each other really well?I can tell you from experience as a former estate manager, and from the estate managers and house managers I speak with, that this feeling goes both ways.The solution to this for both parties: a 90-day trial periodUse a 90-day trial to:- Allow everyone to see each other when they're tired.- Flush out some stressful situations.- Reveal everyone's truest personalities, allowing you to see if they work together, or don't.- Ask your estate manager to outline what you're going to receive in the 90 days- Have them walk all of your properties so that, later, they can be effective in answering your questions as well as questions from other staff and contractors, and in making decisions on your behalf.- Have them conduct both one-on-ones with your other staff members as well as team meetings so they can understand how staff interact with each other.- Have them gather key contractor information so they are set to react efficiently while minimizing your risk if something goes wrong, is not on schedule, or is over budget.- Write staff and contractor memorandums of understanding and have all staff and contractors sign them.- Have your estate manager start providing weekly property summaries, one-page documents detailing what was completed, what's ongoing, what's coming up next week, stuck projects, and any staff updates.- Have them capture all the above information in a system, preferably a project management system with a phone app, so that, in the event that this person doesn't last beyond 90 days, your next candidate won't have to dig so deep -- saving you time moving forward.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

It's time to look at household staffing differentlyWhen a homeowner decides they need staff, they:- hire people, - sign the paychecks, and- assume they'll get the service they need from those employees. Then, when staff questions overwhelm them – when the homeowner doesn't get the service they desire, and they feel frustrated with the lack of control over their day and the lack of privacy within their homes – they often reduce the number of staff and ask fewer people to maintain their homes and provide personal services. But…When systems fail, or if there's an emergency that no one is prepared for, the household staff gets deemed inadequate, often labeled “not a good fit.” The staff gets fired, and this cycle repeats itself with new staff. The frustration with training new staff and them not “getting it right” continues to the point of the homeowner wanting to downsize. If this sounds correct, we've got answers.My team created an eBook to address these issues related to: - Why you want to become a good employer- Knowing all that it takes to maintain your property and provide service to your family- Capturing your preferences and pet peeves to share with everyone who works in your home- And addressing whether you need a house manager We've entitled this book The Ultimate Guide for Hiring Staff and Maintaining Your Luxury Home. This 16-page document provides quick and actionable solutions to your toughest domestic staff challenges.This eBook is free if you schedule a call with me (https://calendly.com/estate-management-systems/demo). Or, for a very small fee, you can download it from our website at https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/shop/p/ebook-the-ultimate-guide I think you'll find that it will address 99% of your household staffing challenges. And we think your staff will thank you, too. Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

From the first day I stepped into my role as an estate manager, I had an idea of how I thought it should be. I had been working on luxury properties for more than 20 years, but not in them. And I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I was hired for this very demanding role. One that I felt I was 110% suited for. I thought that by being employed by a high-tech giant that I would walk into a world of professionalism and sophistication that I hadn't experienced in the landscape construction world (and I worked with the best contractors available). But, I was wrong. Thanks for listening.Find out the full story, plus details on what an ideal day for an estate manager looks like, here: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/blog/ideal-day-in-the-life-estate-manager For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

One of the most important tasks you should complete before hiring staff is this Master Maintenance Task List. You can create this yourself in Excel. There are only (5) columns. They are: 1) Item or Category 2) Who completed the task 3) Frequency that the task needs to be completed 4) How long each task takes to complete 5) What is the task The investment of time to create this task database provides information such as: -How many hours it takes to maintain your home and meet your service needs (thus, determining how many staff are required). -It helps determine if a staff member is assigned too many responsibilities, needs extra training to increase efficiency, or is underperforming. -How much time each system requires for maintenance. That will allow you to assess whether using staff or contractors is smart and whether to repair or replace older mechanical equipment. -How much time will your staff be required to work each week to keep up with their responsibilities. In other words, will they be required to work overtime frequently? If so, consider contracting out the service or hiring another maintenance tech to lessen your staff's need to work overtime. This information helps proactively schedule preventative maintenance and develops a scope of work so your subcontractors can price their service. Create this document for each property you manage to track critical information. Then, create a free Trello.com account (or other project management software) to implement this information to track progress and communicate with your household team about each of these tasks. We sell this document in our House Manual Templates, available to download and edit for your principal, property, and personnel needs.Thanks for listening. For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

King Charles' coronation was an extraordinary experience filled with pomp and circumstance, gold and glitz, and all of the eye candy that we royal watchers can stand. But many who posted on social media this week – I'll call them the lip readers – counted the times Charles said, “Thank you.” So, we all know that he was hyper aware of the millions and millions of people that were watching him during the coronation. But what a nice thing to focus on in his role, and at his stature. The coronation is a reminder that we've talked before about royal treatment and what it takes to get that in domestic staffing in your own home – whether you're in 2,000 square feet or in a palace, it doesn't matter. There are some essential experiences and lessons to be learned about how that is going to add value, security, and privacy to your life. So, I want billionaires and millionaires to stop doing these three things that prevent them from attaining the level of value, security, and privacy they deserve.1. Creating unsustainable roles.2. Assuming that your staff knows what you want.3. Under-staffing your household.Take a moment to figure out how your entire life can become more peaceful, more secure, and more streamlined with the right staff, given the right information, and what it would take to just say "thank you" and let them feel appreciated. King Charles is doing it.Thanks for listening.Get our FREE Master Maintenance Task List, mentioned in this podcast, at: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/master-maintenance-task-list-optinFor more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

Recent job descriptions of estate managers have become a laughable list of unrealistic expectations and impossible deliverables. As with any job, an employee should have reasonable agility to adapt to ever-changing work environments. While the growing trend of homeowners wanting fewer staff in their homes is understandable, it shouldn't be seen as an opportunity for unethical behavior. Thanks for listening. For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

Remember, staff won't leave employers or managers when they feel successful, well-paid, supported, and valued. The best candidates have options, and seasoned vets' salaries are at an all-time high. You'll need to be an excellent employer to attract and maintain a trusted household team. Here are the top 10 ways to retain world-class staff.Thanks for listening. For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

During April, our team has been diving into the nitty gritty nuances between Service and Servitude. Since watching Succession, I decided to go deeper into the different aspects of service available to families of wealth.If I had to describe a sliding scale of service, I would say that managing a 2,000-square-foot Malibu beach house for a wealthy individual with no children is Service Level 1, while running a 16,000-square-foot home on an 8-acre property in the Hamptons for a family of six – all having their staff, helicopters, and complex spousal relationships – is Level 10. Service expectations at all levels are high. However, the story of an implied “win-win partnership” that I dream about for all service providers – let's be honest – doesn't exist beyond my imaginary Level 3.To be clear, all levels of service are relevant. Neither is good or bad. But my arbitrary service scale allows us to think more strategically about what level of service you require. As a homeowner:- Are you expecting Level 10 service with Level 1 staff?- Are you paying for Level 1 service and frustrated with the outcome?- Have you hired the right staff for the level of service you require? In this episode, I look more closely at the needs and services to help you find your perfect fit.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

If you're a millionaire or billionaire homeowner – if you have household management staff – here's what no one will tell you: you have a superhero in your home. They aren't your family. But they aren't your servant, either. They are human. They have needs, but they're there to serve you.And, yes, they receive a paycheck. But no one talks about your STAFF being born with a gift of service – or what we call a “service heart.” Used wisely and supported fully, this person can make your home and life easier and more fulfilling.What if you gave your staff enough information to implement your request right the first time? Wouldn't everyone be happier, with less effort and less expense?What if you outlined expectations, communicated frequently, and empowered your staff to work autonomously?What would it look like if you respected their time off? Isn't it in your best interest for your staff to avoid burnout?So, what's the dirty word in Private Service? BOUNDARIES.No healthy relationship is sustainable long-term without them. These take much work to implement, especially in an existing relationship. But, set up the right way, you can enable nothing short of magic.When boundaries are not created and enforced, your staff will feel controlled over time and become resentful. Do you want to pay someone who might feel this way to work inside your home? I wouldn't. In closing, here are some brief but highly effective tips to honor the obligatory “Yes” that you'll hear from your staff while serving you and your family:1. Allow them your time to confirm your expectations.2. Honor their “No.”3. Empower them with the autonomy to make decisions on your behalf.4. Allow them to spend money within a limited budget to implement your requests.5. Protect their time off.Finally, ask yourself: Isn't this relationship based on the above reasonable parameters worth your investment – including time spent establishing and getting staff buy-in for appropriate boundaries?Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

What does "occasional pet care" on a job description mean? This responsibility is regularly thrown into household staff members' employment agreements, and everyone seems ok with this until they realize what this means. Homeowners probably have household staff who will love and care for their pets during the day, but let's discuss why this is a bad idea when you leave town. The money saved can be far outweighed by the emotional impact on everyone if something goes wrong. For your staff, it means additional work and immense responsibility. It's not in anyone's best interest if the pet experiences a health crisis during your absence. Should the pet die, naturally or otherwise, the memory of missing that pet connected to the pet-sitting staff member can linger and tarnish that relationship. In addition to missing your pet, you'll likely be finding new staff. Even if the homeowner inflicts no guilt, the self-inflicted guilt can be overwhelming and self-sabotaging. So many other options (independent pet-sitters, pet hotels, veterinarian clinics, etc.) make more sense. If you have no other responsible options, pay that staff exceptionally well (in addition to their regular pay), keep the frequency to a minimum, and be extremely thankful for the convenience. Please listen to the podcast where I share my story of keeping my principal's beloved pet. Thanks for listening. For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

It is possible to care for someone AND maintain professional boundaries and expectations. It is the most respectful way to protect and respect a relationship. Remember, good communication means BOTH parties win and evolve.In this episode, I share and discuss in detail six suggestions for successful boundaries, performance expectations, and accountability with household staff:1. Build a house management system to outline, assign, and schedule all expectations.2. Consult with an HR or family law attorney specializing in household staffing issues.3. Hire an HR outsourcing company to handle employee benefits like long-term disability, retirement benefits, and health insurance as well as payroll.4. Communicate with your staff often. I suggest addressing work schedules, new requests, and changed expectations weekly at a minimum.5. Prepare a staff memorandum of understanding and update it when changes occur.6. Realize that it may be time to move on when your staff's abilities no longer meet your personal and property needs.Remember, healthy boundaries on both sides of this relationship are key.Keeping a friendly relationship with everyone who works in your home is nice, but keeping healthy boundaries about why they're there is more critical. Your household and family needs change over time, as do your staff's needs.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

Throughout the years, I've learned what my clients do to limit their liability. Here are a few suggestions – I discuss them in detail in this podcast!1. Create a business entity under which your household operates, hires, and manages.2. Hire professionals with industry experience instead of newbies transitioning into these positions.3. Your contractors should provide valid liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates.4. Increase your own liability insurance and workers' compensation in case contractors aren't sufficient.5. Everyone working on your property must sign an NDA.6. Have two safes within your home – one for the principal's personal and sensitive items and one for the household manager to protect staff-related items.7. Ensure that master suits and no-go areas can be locked up.8. Have a household protocol that outlines operating procedures for staff and contractors.9. Install security cameras that are pointed at essential areas like gates and door entrances.10. Have an external HR company manage employment contracts according to state and federal guidelines.Bottom line - as your wealth grows, so does your liability!Protect your household and estate portfolio by implementing proper protocols.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

When your estate manager does their job well – they make it look easy. It's often the case that, with a smile on their face, they're working 60+ hours a week. At times, the lack of chaos may make it seem like you don't need a house manager. When in fact, this is a sign that your EM is excellent at what they do. Remember, when your home is clean, organized, running smoothly, and staff is working efficiently, someone orchestrated that. When in doubt, require a weekly property report for every property you own. This one-page summary includes completed projects, upcoming and stuck projects, open proposals, staff updates (like days off & birthdays), and recognition of successes and milestones. Requiring this of your house manager every Friday will give everyone peace of mind about what your staff has done all week and prepare everyone for the week to come. Know what's happening inside your home, and feel confident about knowing there's a plan in place. Thanks for listening. For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

If you're new to hiring full-time household staff, you might be reluctant to turn over a part of your home to them. But if you feel like you're living in Grand Central Station, it might be time for a change!Seasoned employers know and see the value of having a dedicated section of their home for operational functions – maximum service efficiency and privacy.I often see homes with bedrooms that have never been used. A room like this can be turned into a staff office to improve the overall flow of everyone working inside your home, however, it could be a storage closet, garage apartment, or an entire floor depending on your service needs. If you have regular housekeeping services, frequent contractor visits, and daily grocery and supply deliveries, you'll benefit by:Converting a portion of your home to staff quartersHaving a separate entrance for contractors and vendorsCreating separate laundry facilities and restroomAdding a full or prep kitchen for entertainingProviding staff lockers and a meeting areaPRO TIP: If you are considering a home renovation, hire an architect who understands household service. Listen to the podcast to understand why.Small changes can lead to big improvements and a better quality of life you've worked hard to obtain.Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

In this episode, I talk about something not often discussed. The untold side of private service. Because NDAs make sure that what happens behind closed doors legally stays there.Kobe Bryant's wife winning her lawsuit against the photographers who sold the photos taken at the crash site has highlighted a focus this week on this sensitive subject. I want to change focus to the pilot who flew the helicopter that day. Like any private service professional know, Kobe's pilot had the unspoken pressure to adhere to this “Say Yes” culture. That group had a destination, and a pilot was tasked with making that happen. If he had said "No" that day, someone else would have stepped in immediately. Private service professionals know that logic, common sense, and boundaries do not often apply in serving ultra-high net worth clients if they want to keep their jobs AND reputations.But at what point is the line drawn, and when do we realize that safety is more important than the implications of telling Kobe Bryant “No, we shouldn't fly today?”Yes, Private Service Professionals are here to serve their employers, however, they are in their own right experts in what they do. They don't reach the point in their career where they get to work for someone like Mr. Bryant without being at the top of their game. Their insights have value and carry greater benefit than is often given credit for. Using that knowledge and expertise should be more important than whether they disappoint their client. So let's take a moment and look at the bigger picture, where we all fit in – as service providers and employers, and value the skill and experience each of us has, equally. Thanks for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #uhnwi #domesticstaff #estatemanager #billionaire #millionaire #mansion #householdstaff #housemanager

Hiring a domestic house manager requires more from a homeowner than calling a recruiter and signing paychecks. Let me explain...I received a comment on our YouTube Channel from a homeowner on a video where I talk about the homeowner's responsibilities of being a good employer. Their comment went something like this, "You're making me want to downsize. This all sounds like a full-time babysitting role." The fact is, turning over management of your complex personal life and most valuable assets is much more than calling a recruiter and signing paychecks. It takes some strategic thinking. It's not "homework" or "babysitting," but "discovery" about your service expectations, family dynamics, and household needs so you can hire qualified and long-term staff.Setting your household staff up for success is one of the most self-serving and self-evolved aspects of building wealth and expanding your real estate portfolio. These people can be strategic partners who manage your day-to-day needs so you can enjoy the life you earned. Estate Management Systems helps homeowners do this discovery work during our 2-day site visit. For more information about our 2-day site visit, check out our Executive System: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/shop/p/the-executive-systemThank you for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems #luxurylifestyle#luxuryhomes#uhnwi#domesticstaff#estatemanager#billionaire#millionaire#mansion#householdstaff#housemanager

Need staff or a domestic team to help your household and life run smoothly? Before engaging a recruiter, your first step should be creating a 12-MONTH MASTER MAINTENANCE CALENDAR!This one document will map out your property needs, who might be doing the work, how long each task takes to complete, and how frequently.This knowledge will allow you to determine if you should be hiring more staff, reducing task frequencies, or subcontracting certain functions.I often get hired to complete this spreadsheet for my clients as a part of The Executive System scope of work. During my 2-day site visit, I collect strategic information on everything that needs to be maintained, including:Household equipment and mechanical maintenanceEmergency equipment and suppliesHousehold ContentVehicle InventoriesFamily & Pet needsStaffing needsThis information outlines everything you and your family want and need to maintain your properties and live the life you love. For more information about our 2-day site visit, check out our Executive services: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/shop/p/the-executive-systemThank you for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle#luxuryhomes#uhnwi#domesticstaff#estatemanager#billionaire#millionaire#mansion#householdstaff#housemanager

Set your contractors up for success and get the service you desire with this step-by-step guide to outline what pleases you.Kelly shares the details of her document, The Contractor Memorandum of Understanding, which includes topics such as:-Office Admin, communication and Safety expectations-Supervisor and staff protocol-Site work and property protection requirements-Accidents, conflicts, and misunderstandings-Phone usage-Dress code-Normal business hours, breaks, and overtime-Photography and document sharingCheck out this document and all of our products and services.Thanks for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle#luxuryhomes#uhnwi#domesticstaff#estatemanager#billionaire#millionaire#mansion#householdstaff#housemanaager

Set your staff up for success and get the service you desire with this step-by-step guide to outline what pleases you.Kelly shares the details of her document, The Staff Memorandum of Understanding, which includes topics such as:-Owner preferences-Service attitude-Appropriate conversations and responses-Team expectations-Chain of command for staff requests-Guest protocol-Staff visitors-Phone usage-Dress code-Normal business hours, breaks, and overtime-Photography and document sharingCheck out this document and all of our products and services.Thanks for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems#luxurylifestyle#luxuryhomes#uhnwi#domesticstaff#estatemanager#billionaire#millionaire#mansion#householdstaff#housemanaager

Things to think about before hiring your first/next house manager:-Determine your service preferences and protocol-Identify a payroll service and employee recordkeeping system-Outline your business policies-Collect contractor and fleet information-Consider your housekeeping, landscaping, and home technology maintenance standards of care-Hire us to collect your household inventories!-Get your house ready for medical and natural disasters***Download our FREE resource entitled "Master List of Lists for Managing a Mansion" by subscribing to our email list: https://www.estatemanagementsystems.com/email-signup Use this document as a guideline when you engage a domestic staff recruiter and during your candidate interviews to get your team on track toward meeting your needs.If you need a coach to walk you through this process – to take this off your plate – call me to discuss the next steps.Thank you for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems

Since we're just getting started with Dear Billionaire podcast, let's look at the common terminology we'll be using, and share some assumptions about whom we're talking to, so we're all on the same page. If this is you, then this is YOUR podcast!• You have multiple homes• You have Full-time staff• You Hired, or are you ready to hire a full-time house or estate manager• Or maybe You're intrigued with the lifestyles of the rich and famous and want to gain insight into the dynamics of how their lives are managed.Whether you're an esteemed billionaire or someone who aspires to be one, we're talking to you. Today you'll learn how to take care of the people who take care of you and your family.Results?• Better service• Avoid high staff turnover• Lower your risk I'm guessing that you're listening because:• Your stress is greater than your pleasure of owning these properties• Mechanical issues have become costly due to proper maintenance• Your property value starts to decline due to aged mechanical systems It's time to set yourself up for success to attract skilled staff and retain them. Before we do that, let's clarify some terms:• Homeowners are the same as principals• Homes are the same as estates• Estate manager refers to a luxury home and lifestyle manager, not a financial portfolio manager – although both are correct• Private service professionals – the definition we'll use here refers to anyone who works as an employee at your home, in other words, not a contractor or vendor. They are referred to as Service Providers. Why does all of this matter? As your wealth and real estate portfolio grow, so does your risk of:• Lawsuits• Security and privacy breaches• Theft Your household staff is one of the riskiest endeavors you'll undertake. So how do you lower risk, find the right employee, and retain them? That's why we're here… The great resignation is alive and well in private service. Barron's Quentin Fottrell of MarketWatch, says that people have returned to work after the covid shutdown but are looking for happiness, stability, flexibility, and a good salary. There's been a significant shift in the work culture and the demand for personal well-being is peaking. You'll want to finding the right staff and then retain them.Here's why:• Minimize costs associated with a high turnover – your time and recruiters' fees to screen, background investigate, trial employment, onboarding, and training.• It's takes months or years to build a trusted household team.• New people in your home are one of the highest personal risk to your safety and security.• Long-term, trusted staff who feel valued, heard, well-paid, and appreciated want to provide the best service, and reduce risk and minimize lawsuits.• Eliminates Bad press - Google celebrities who were sued by their housekeeping staff.What makes staff leave?Burnout, per Philipp Smith, Managing Director of Silver Swan Recruitment (they service the Middle East, UK, and US domestic staffing markets). Burnout typically occurs 12 to 18 months into the new employment term. Do you contribute to burnout - knowing or unknowingly?Primary culprits are:• Vague job descriptions• Job creep• Hybrid roles• Long hours• 24/7 service expectations• Unrealistic service requests• Staff who doesn't feel valued (did you lay off during covid?)More subtle causes of burnout that you might not be aware of:• Buying alcohol or prescription meds for an addict• Hide things or lie to a spouse• Lack of control of personal time off• You aren't organized enough to turn over information to someone else• No household management system• Too much conflict between staff (or between principals)• No staff training = not valued• Recognition Are you a Good Employer? Let's test that. Do you:• Communicate with them regularly? Weekly or more?• Express appreciation? How often?• Compensation (look at hourly wage + housing costs + expectations)• Do they feel secure in their job?• Guess-pectations. Do they have to guess at what pleases you?• Do you give clear directives and deadlines?• Do you expect 24/7 service and responses from only one person? If you're any of these missing key aspects, here's how to remedy them:• Use a time-tracking app• Review staff regularly• Ask them what they need from you to be successful• Pay them hourly with overtime compensation• Follow state and federal employment guidelines for rest and lunch breaks• Provide a break room area, or somewhere they can have private conversations, as well as a personal locker• Get a house management system so they can work autonomously• Develop a 12-month maintenance calendar program• Provide adequate funding to manage your expectations, purchases, and proactive maintenance.• Refine job descriptions – no vague language• Eliminate hybrid roles. Remember, they aren't paid parents. They excel in specific areas, and to be successful at those, they need to focus.Remember, The Dear Billionaire Podcast was created to create win/win relationships between private service professionals and employers. Thanks for listening!For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems

Whether you're a millionaire or a billionaire, new money or old money, If you have a household staff and are considering hiring your first house manager, Here are some tips and feedback on finding and retaining Trusted and world-class staff so you can enjoy the life you've earned.This is our first-ever Dear billionaire podcast! I've been thinking about doing this for a long time. I have been in a unique position in my career where I spent 25 years in landscape design and construction work for some very high net worth families in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rancho, Santa Fe, California, and recently in Los Angeles. Through those experiences, I transitioned into an estate manager fairly late in my career.My first role was for a global high-tech giant. That experience was surreal and an introduction to an industry I had never fully understood. And when that ended, I went to work for another global retail heiress to manage multiple properties internationally.Through those experiences, I noticed a need for essential business tools and systems to run these large properties, crazy lifestyles, and numerous staff and contractors. This was compounded by a need for better communication, clear directives, and an understood chain of command to which I had become accustomed in the high-end construction world.When I left private service, I created Estate Management Systems to share the tools I had developed as an estate manager with others. In those system training sessions with my clients, it became obvious that the focus often turned to solving problems related to the personal side of private service (communication, unspoken expectations...) and many other challenges that no system could solve. Then, realizing that more focus was needed to support household staff to succeed, Private Service Support Team (www.PSST.club) was launched for that reason.But there was a missing piece. All of the coaching programs were supporting private service professionals. As lovely as that was, addressing the other part of this equation to create real change in this industry was needed – the homeowners who employ these people.When I mention the Dear Billionaire podcast to my industry and personal friends, they laugh out loud or look at me as if I've lost my mind. The ones who will share their thoughts say, "Billionaires aren't going to listen to suggestions about attracting and retaining world-class service staff.” OK. Maybe not. But I'm moving forward with the notion that it's better to say it then to sit silently and watch the same patterns repeat.So here we are. Thanks for being curious.Before starting our first episode, let's clarify if you're in the right place. Your household staff hasn't said “No” to you in a while.You employ full-time housekeepers, gardeners, and handypersons.You likely have more than two homes.You have hired or are interested in hiring someone to manage your household staff and residential real estate.You're ready to turn over the reins of some aspects of your personal lives to someone else so that you can focus on enjoying the life you have earned. Further...Don't think of this as HR training - It's not.It's not legal advice, either.These might not even be considered “best practices.”This podcast will address topics in the category of… “You've got to be kidding me!”We'll talk about the subtle, obscure, and ridiculously surreal experiences that so many household staff are having. Hopefully, we'll laugh along the way, and I'll explain why this should matter to you.Remember, these are people inside your home – the place you and your family go to feel safe, rejuvenate, reconnect, and entertain. If you have household staff who are not trusted, unhappy, mentally unstable, and not financially secure, this will impact the service they provide for you and your family. Don't you think this erodes your family's security and privacy?We'll share important information about building more trusted, long-term, win-win relationships with the people who care for your family and home.That's my hope, so thank you for listening.For more information, visit our Linktrees:https://linktr.ee/dearbillionairepodcasthttps://linktr.ee/estatemanagementsystems