
Dear Billionaire
Hosted by estate management expert Kelly Fore Dixon, this podcast addresses the challenges of luxury home management for high-net-worth homeowners, estate managers, and private service professionals. Each episode explores real stories, practical tools, and systems from Estate Management Systems to help listeners run their homes like five-star hotels. Topics include building trusted teams, streamlining operations, and maintaining peace of mind. The show emphasizes treating the home as a business to achieve balance and success at the billionaire level.
Episodes

How I Managed a Regenerative Ranch When I Knew Nothing About Ranching
What would you do as an estate leader if you were tasked with managing a 2,000-acre regenerative ranch, but knew almost nothing about ranching?Despite having a background in landscape design rather than livestock or soil science, stepping into this role required quickly learning an entirely new vocabulary—from rotational grazing and paddocks to prescribed burns and wildlife management. Rather than

Why Informal Household Pay Creates Risk
When a household transitions from informal arrangements to professional estate management, solving a current staffing issue doesn't automatically erase past liabilities.Continuing the story of the Martin family and their housekeeper Claire, this episode of the Dear Billionaire podcast addresses a critical question many homeowners face: what happens to all those years of unpaid household payroll ta

What to Do With an Illegal Household Employee
What happens when a professional audit reveals that a longtime housekeeper is not legally authorized to work in the United States? When the fictitious Martin family discovered their housekeeper Clare lacked proper work authorization, they were forced to confront the reality that an employee cannot legally keep their job without it.In this episode of the Dear Billionaire podcast, I break down two d

Are Your Household Employees Legal? If Not, Here's What You Need to Know
Do you know whether everyone working in your home is legally authorized to work in the United States—or who verified their paperwork? In private households, hiring often happens informally through personal referrals. Before long, an informal arrangement turns into a full-time role, but without proper onboarding, work authorization verification, or payroll setup in place.Simply issuing a 1099 or pa

Permitting: You Can Afford to Do It Twice - But Why Would You Want To?
When you have the financial resources to start a home improvement project immediately, waiting weeks or months for permits, HOA approvals, or engineering drawings can feel absolutely ridiculous. It is tempting to agree with a contractor who suggests skipping the bureaucracy to get the job done quickly.However, trying to save a few weeks upfront can expose you to years of long-term consequences. Sk

You Hired Household Staff - So Why Are You Still Managing the House?
You hired housekeepers, a house manager, and maybe even an estate manager to make your life easier—yet somehow, everyone is still coming to you with endless questions.This is the ultimate irony of expanding your household staff: without proper coordination, adding more people simply creates more employees for you to supervise and more decisions for you to make.When a household feels chaotic, it is

Six Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Their Estate Leader in August
Most people think the planning season begins in January. I don't. By January, you're already reacting. Budgets have been finalized, raises are being discussed, projects are underway, and everyone is trying to solve problems that should have been addressed months earlier.In my opinion, August is the beginning of next year.When I meet with homeowners and their Estate Leaders around this time of year

Why Your Home Wasn't "Visit Ready"
Arriving at a secondary residence for a getaway with family or friends, only to find it isn't "visit ready," is a frustrating experience for any homeowner. While it’s easy to default to blaming the property manager, housekeeper, or estate manager, the real culprit is often an organizational design issue rather than a simple lapse in duty.Creating a seamless luxury experience requires homeowners to

The Missing Piece in Luxury Home Purchases
Imagine this...A family purchases a beautiful ski home in Aspen during the spring. Designers step in to transform the home, and the family decides to visit for the Labor Day weekend.Since this is a second home, the family believes there's no need to send the estate manager, the housekeeper, or the maintenance technician to prepare the house. (What could go wrong? It's a quick, informal weekend get

Why Conflicting Instructions Burn Out Estate Managers
One of the quickest ways to lose a great Estate Manager has very little to do with salary, benefits, or workload.It starts with this: One principal says yes. The other says no.Eventually, the Estate Manager becomes the middleman for a disagreement that was never theirs to resolve. Everyone becomes frustrated. And the principals wonder why decisions seem to stall.In this episode, I share how the be

Why Projects Always Cost More at Your Estate
One of the most expensive phrases in estate operations is: "While we're at it, let's..."If you've worked in private service for any length of time, you've heard it.Before anyone realizes what's happened, a $50,000 project can become a $150,000 project.The problem isn't the additional work. It's that the project changes without anyone stopping to redefine the scope, budget, timeline, or approval pr

Fixing Estate and Family Office Communication Breakdowns
One of the most common frustrations I hear from both Estate Managers and Family Offices sounds remarkably similar: "I thought someone told them." And yet somehow, nobody knew.The project went over budget. The timeline changed. The scope expanded. And the principal knew.But the family office was surprised. The Estate Manager was caught in the middle. And everyone believes they communicated. Because

Why Family Offices Become Frustrated With Estate Operations
One of the most common things I hear from estate managers is: "The family office wants more reporting."After years of working with family offices, I don't think that's actually what they're asking for. What they ARE asking for is visibility. They want to know:- What projects are underway- What decisions require attention- Where we are against the budget- What changed since last monthThe frustratio

Why Great Estate Managers Don't Stay
One of the biggest mistakes I see principals and family offices make is assuming that a short-term employment history means a bad estate manager. With tenures of one, two, or three years being common, the conclusion is often that the person is the problem.After years of working with estate leaders, I'm not convinced that that's true. In fact, I think we're asking the wrong question.The question es

A Real Plan for Estate Leaders - Not Another Training
When I started Estate Management Systems, governance was not a word that entered my conversation. Most of us were simply trying to survive the day-to-day and keep up with the workload.10 years later (today), there's plenty of discussion about governance, accountability, leadership, and operational structure — but very few solutions.That's why I created FRAME. Not to teach you how to be an Estate M

A New Initiative to Help the Leadership Side of Private Service
I built my company, Estate Management Systems, around household management systems. And I still believe those systems are essential. They create organization, documentation, and consistency.But over time, something became impossible to ignore: House management systems are only a fraction of what it takes to run a high-performing estate.The real challenges in private service are rarely about househ

5 Critical Components to Turning Over Power to an Estate Manager
When you realize your home’s maintenance and staffing needs have grown beyond your time, interest, or capacity, you’re not alone.Luxury homes don’t run themselves. They require structure, leadership, and systems that support your lifestyle.This week, we’ll explore 5 essential tips to help you protect your time, reduce your stress, and confidently delegate your household operations to seasoned prof

When Your Estate Manager Quits
Here’s a scenario no one wants to think about...but every principal should: What happens if your Estate Manager walks out tomorrow?Most households don’t realize how vulnerable they are until it happens. The truth? Your Estate Manager likely knows more about your home than you do — and much of it lives only in their head or their phone.In this episode, we’ll explore:✔️ The hidden risks you may not

When It's Time to Let Your Estate Manager Go
If you’ve ever known your Estate Manager wasn’t the right fit — but kept them in place because they know your passcodes, your staff, your household routines, and other intimate details of your life — you’re not alone. This is one of the most common challenges I see inside private households.Letting an Estate Manager go can feel like both a breakup and an operational nightmare.Because it isn’t just

We’re Not a Software Company — We’re a People Company
When people hear Estate Management Systems, they often assume we’re a software company.In fact, I was recently sent a vendor questionnaire asking for SOC-2 reports and GDPR compliance — and that’s when I realized just how many people think we’re a software company.But here’s the truth: we don’t build apps — we build understanding.Private service isn’t about automation; it’s about people.In this ep

Ghosts Aren't the Real Threat in Luxury Homes - Staff Lawsuits Are
It’s rarely calm when my phone rings.Most homeowners call me after an employment scare—a staff member mentions unpaid overtime, threatens legal action, or calls the labor board.In this episode, I explain: ✅ The real reason “we’re like family” can backfire ✅ The emotional, reputational, and financial cost of employment scares ✅ The systems every household needs to prevent liability ✅ Why prevention

Why Weekly Property Updates Are the Key to Running Your Estate Like a Business
Most estate managers spend their week putting out fires—reacting to last-minute problems that could’ve been prevented. But there’s one simple habit that transforms reactive households into proactive, five-star operations: the Weekly Property Update.In this episode, Kelly Fore Dixon, Founder of Estate Management Systems and Host of Dear Billionaire, shares exactly how to build a reporting system th

When “Saving Money” Costs More in Luxury Homes
In luxury homes, “saving money” can sometimes cost more than it saves. From underqualified contractors to underpaid staff and skipped maintenance, shortcuts today can lead to six-figure problems tomorrow.In this episode, Kelly Fore Dixon, founder of Estate Management Systems and host of the Dear Billionaire podcast, breaks down the hidden financial and operational risks behind cost-cutting decisio

Why Understaffed Estates Quietly Drain Your Wealth
In luxury estates, the biggest problems aren’t visible — they’re hidden in the workload. Staff look busy, but behind the scenes there are gaps: too few people for too many tasks, stressed teams, and principals left wondering why service is slipping.I’m Kelly Fore Dixon, Founder of Estate Management Systems and Host of Dear Billionaire. As an Estate Operations Consultant, I help homeowners and staf

The 'Missing Piece' in Private Service: The Estate Operations Consultant
In luxury homes, the biggest risks aren’t what you see—they’re the hidden gaps: uninsured contractors, unclear staff roles, and no plan for emergencies. These cracks can lead to lawsuits, financial loss, and service disruptions.I’m Kelly Fore Dixon, Founder of Estate Management Systems and Host of the Dear Billionaire Podcast. As an Estate Operations Consultant, I partner with household teams to s

The Fine Art of Home Organization: Why It’s Essential in Staffed Homes
Staffed homes may look beautiful, but without the right systems, they can quickly slip into hidden chaos. From duplicate purchases to staff burnout, disorganization in staffed homes costs more than just money; it chips away at peace of mind, efficiency, and luxury.In this episode of Dear Billionaire, Kelly Fore Dixon reveals:✅ The hidden costs of disorganization in large households✅ Why staff effi

How to Budget Like a Billionaire: Household Budget Guide for High-Net-Worth Homes
Even billionaires need a budget.This Household Budget Guide for High-Net-Worth Homes shows you how to run your estate like a business — with clarity, control, and confidence. Whether you manage one property or several, it’s designed to help you align spending with your priorities, prevent waste, and protect your property’s value for years to come.In this episode of Dear Billionaire, you’ll discove

What’s Fair and Sustainable in Private Service Compensation?
𝐈𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟?If your luxury home feels like a revolving door of private service professionals, the problem might not be them; it might be your compensation strategy.In private service, pay isn’t just about a paycheck; it’s about the message it sends. A thoughtful, structured compensation plan can help you attract, retain, and inspire the best talent fo

Hidden Cost of Luxury Travel (for Your Staff)
𝐈𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠? ✈️😓 Luxury travel with a trusted household team might seem like the ultimate dream. Still, for your staff, luxury travel often means emotional exhaustion, blurred boundaries, and sacrifices they never intended to make. In this episode of Dear Billionaire, estate management expert Kelly Fore Dixon unpacks what principals often ov

Parenting With Staff: Set Boundaries, Prevent Entitlement & Align Staff With Your Values
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠?If your children interact with household staff on a daily basis, then this episode is essential viewing. Whether you realize it or not, your team is helping raise your children—not by choice, but by proxy.Without clear direction, your staff may unintentionally enable manipulation, blur boundaries, or contradict your parenting values. And your child?

When Staff Stay Silent, Abuse Thrives: What Estate Owners Must Do
Many estate owners believe that privacy is enough to protect their households, but without safety and accountability, privacy can quickly become a liability. Estate owners who expect loyalty and discretion from their staff must first ensure that their systems don’t compromise the security of their high-net-worth households.In this episode of Dear Billionaire, Kelly Fore Dixon goes deeper than boun

Luxury Homes Need Boundaries Too: Protect Your Privacy & Manage Staff Like a Pro
Is your luxury home starting to feel like anything but a sanctuary? Luxury homes come with unique staffing needs, and without clear boundaries, your peace of mind can slip away quietly. In this episode of Dear Billionaire, Kelly Fore Dixon shares how to manage household staff with clarity, structure, and authority.From setting “no staff time zones” to establishing clear communication funnels, thes

THE STATE OF YOUR ESTATE: Why Estate Managers and Family Offices Clash—And How to Fix It
In luxury homes, estate managers and family office staff are expected to work as a unified team, but often, they operate at odds. That misalignment creates friction, inefficiency, and costly mistakes.In this final episode of our State of the Estate series, estate management expert Kelly Ford Dixon reveals how to bridge the divide and create strategic alignment between your estate manager and famil

Run Your Luxury Home Like a Business with a Strategic Action Plan
Your luxury home may look polished on the outside, but without structure behind the scenes, it can quickly fall into chaos. In this episode of 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒆, you'll learn how to manage your luxury home like a business, with a clear, proactive strategy that aligns your team, budget, and property goals.Kelly Fore Dixon shares the game-changing moment that took her from overwhelmed estate manager

THE STATE OF YOUR ESTATE: Our 90-Day Jump Start Plan to Professionalize Your Estate
You’d think with a full staff and a family office, things would run smoothly—but estate management is where even the wealthiest households fall apart. In this episode of Dear Billionaire, we walk through the exact estate management framework we use to bring order, clarity, and calm back to chaotic luxury homes. It’s a 90-day plan designed to professionalize your estate, reduce burnout, and create

THE STATE OF YOUR ESTATE: Top 6 Mistakes Even Billionaires Make
You’d think with a full staff and a family office, things would run smoothly, but estate management is where even the wealthiest households fall apart. In this episode of Dear Billionaire, we uncover 6 estate management mistakes that quietly derail luxury homes—and how to fix them.Without structure, strategy, and leadership, your household won’t just feel chaotic—it will be.Whether you're a homeow

Fix or Fire? A House Manager's Guide to Coaching Problem Staff
You know the type—talented, high-performing, but impossible to work with. In this episode of Dear Billionaire, we dive into how to coach the uncoachable—or cut ties with toxic staff for good.Skipping straight to termination might feel tempting, but it’s lazy leadership. Real leadership means offering clear, documented opportunities for improvement.Whether you're a house manager, estate manager, or

From Siloed Staff to a World Class Household Team
If you think team building means dragging your household team to an escape room while Cindy the housekeeper solves every puzzle...think again. In luxury homes, siloed staff can quietly derail service and morale. To build a world-class household team, you must first break down the barriers that keep siloed staff from working collaboratively.Whether you're an estate manager, house manager, or high-n

How to Run Your Home Like a 5-Star Hotel (Even When Staff Take PTO)
When staff take PTO, does your home fall apart? If the answer is yes—or almost—this episode is a must-watch. In world-class estates, operations stay seamless even when staff take PTO, thanks to cross-training, smart planning, and clearly defined systems. I’ll show you how to create the same results in your home.In this episode, we cover:- Why most private homes are one vacation away from chaos- Th

How to Plan for Household Staff PTO Without Disrupting Your Estate
Your staff deserves time off, but your house and family keep running full steam. How do you balance both without chaos? In this episode, we’re exploring smart, seamless strategies for managing household staff personal time off (PTO) so your home runs smoothly even when key team members are away. From proactive scheduling to cross-training tips, I’ll show you how to maintain consistency, reduce str

The Hidden Phrase Driving Away Your Luxury Household Staff
"You’re Not A Good Fit."Homeowners use this phrase to dismiss staff when they want to take a chance and see what happens next. It’s their right and privilege to choose who they want in their home and to relieve staff of their duties, even those who are competent, for reasons that may seem irrational or unfounded from an outsider’s (or even an insider’s) perspective. These decisions, whether logica

Moving into a 10,000+ sq ft Home: What to Expect in a Mega Mansion – Family, Staff, and More!
In the world of the ultra-wealthy, few purchases are as significant as acquiring a mega-mansion (10,000+ square feet). This is the ultimate status symbol — of wealth, success, security, and, often, a new phase in life. However, life in such a home involves significant adjustments beyond the luxury. In this episode, I explore 7 related considerations.Thanks for listening!Read the blog post: https:/

8 Reasons Staff Evaluations Benefit Your Luxury Real Estate Investment
As a homeowner, your staff is your most important asset when building a residential real estate portfolio.With them, your property values will stay high, and the enjoyment of owning these homes can feel manageable. Ensuring your staff feel heard, supported, and appreciated goes a long way toward fostering a productive and loyal team and protecting one of your most valuable personal assets. This sm

My No. 1 Secret to a Stress-Free Luxury Household
Managing a large household with full-time staff is as complex as running a not-so-small business. Estate Managers who run that business make daily decisions that could impact their employment.For an estate manager, fear of losing their job may cause them to hesitate on both big and small decisions that impact progress at your property. Incorrect assumptions can cause a homeowner to deem them "not

8 Ways to Identify Toxic Staff in Your Luxury Household
Why is it important to understand and identify toxic people inside your organization? - You won’t get the service you are paying for.- Your revolving door of entering and exiting staff will require additional resources and patience during these transitions.- Your family will continue to feel disrupted in their daily lives. - Your household staff will feel insecure and seek more secure opportunitie

The Truth About Live-In Staff: What No One Tells You
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 fro

Are You a Unicorn Employer? How to Build a World-Class Team
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 th

The Hidden Burden: How Secrets Impact Your Household Staff
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, “Wha

Why Every Private Household Needs an Organizational Chart (Even Small Teams)
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 h

Property Assessment: Why It's Critical to Know Your Home's Mechanical Equipment
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

Luxury Home Emergency Preparedness: How to Plan for Power Outages and Storms
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 wea

Navigating NDAs in Private Service: What Every Homeowner and Staff Member Should Know
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 li

The First 90 Days: What Every Estate Manager Should Do During the Trial Period
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 9

Everything You Need to Know About Domestic Staffing (But No One Told You) | Free eBook
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 t

The Secret Benefits of an Empowered House Manager: Why Homeowners Can't Afford to Ignore Them
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 o

Master Maintenance Task List: The Secret to Efficient Luxury Home Management
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 provid

Want Royal Treatment from Your Household Staff? Stop Doing These 3 Things
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 durin

Hybrid Roles: What They Are and Why They Don’t Serve You Best
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

High Staff Turnover? 10 Reasons They’re Leaving (And What to Do About It)
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

Service vs. Servitude in Domestic Staffing: Are Your Expectations Misaligned?
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, whil

The Dirtiest Word in Private Service: How Boundaries Protect Your Household Staff
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

Never Leave Pet Care to Your Household Staff. Here's why...
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 b

When Household Staff Become Family: How to Set Healthy Boundaries
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 m

10 Critical Factors to Lowering Homeowner's Risk
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’

Wonder what your household staff does all day?
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

Luxury Home Staffing: 10 Tips to Create a Service-Ready Property
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 hom

The Dark Side of Private Service: What Wealthy Employers Need to Know
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 pil

Does Hiring Domestic Staff Make You Want to Downsize?
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

Master Maintenance Task List: The Secret to Efficient Luxury Home Management
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 st

Getting White Glove Service from Your Contractors
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

Step by Step Guide to Getting the Service You Desire
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

Are You Ready to Hire House Management?
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

Are You a Good Principal to Your Household Staff?
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 intrigue

Why Dear Billionaire?
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 bee
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