The Easemakers Podcast

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 M...

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 min...

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 pr...

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 learne...

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-ran...

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 secr...

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&q...

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...

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...

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 p...

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 streaml...