The Easemakers Podcast

At first glance, you might not expect Kate Bright to be a part of a security detail — which, she says, is exactly why she's right for the job.In this conversation, we talk with Kate about invisible protection, and how she made the move from personal assistant to secure lifestyle expert and Founder and CEO of Umbra International, a full-service security business that delivers recruitment, advisory and project management to private clients and family offices around the world.Tune in to hear about Kate's unique career path, why she's passionate about bringing more women into close protection roles, and the value of a security mindset for any private service professional. Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

When emotions are running high, how do you turn things around, solve the problem, and provide the best possible service?In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Steven Ferry, Chairman of the Institute of Modern Butlers, shares how working on soft skills and emotional intelligence can help you better navigate tough situations with principals, staff, vendors, and anyone else you come across in your daily life. Steven became a butler in 1989, and since then, his career has evolved into hospitality and butler training. He’s written three books, including the British Butlers’ Bible, and teaches butlers and hospitality teams about proper standards – including the right attitude and approach, which is the heart of our conversation today. Tune in to hear his tips for anyone working in private service. Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

Today, security is top of mind for high profile individuals and the people who support them. In the aftermath of the shooting that killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Wayne DeCoste and his team at Rescor Group have had an influx of calls from people scrambling to improve their executive protection programs. Now, in a special episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Wayne shares his advice for anyone who’s concerned about safety and protective services – for both the short term and the long term.  Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

How do you bring a big creative vision to life, whether it's a logo and brand for an estate, a once-in-a-lifetime party, or an upgrade of simple service touches like napkins and platters? Jack Grayson started out as a photographer, then, quite by accident, found himself managing creative projects in high end estates. Now, he's sharing his secrets for getting creative in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast.Tune in to hear how Jack turns a seemingly impossible vision into a reality, his tips for working with vendors and artisans, and his advice for estate managers tasked with managing creative projects.Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

What's the difference between mass market insurance and personalized insurance coverage? How do you decide on the best fit, and how do you find a broker that's right for you?In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Private Risk Management Association CEO & Executive Director Diane Delaney shares how a consultative approach to insurance can help HNW families and individuals protect and preserve their assets. Tune in to hear an overview of today's hard market, Diane's tips for being proactive in preventing the most common losses, why Diane starts conversations by focusing on the passions (like collections), what to look for in a private insurance advisor, and more!

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 contractors. In this conversation, he shares how he worked his way up to manage a complex and diverse portfolio, his tips for anyone overseeing a wide range of private service professionals (from tenured housekeepers to tile artisans), and how a shift in mindset and approach led to an uptick in morale for his staff and vendors.Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

How do you know when to bring up conversations around healthcare, and how to minimize risk as you navigate health-related situations with your principals?In this conversation, Wellworth Founder & CEO John Samuels explores what’s behind the curtain in healthcare – and how estate managers can support their principals in dealing with emergencies, illnesses, and aging.Tune in to hear signs to watch for that might tell you something is wrong, and his advice for bringing up and working through this sensitive topic. Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

How do you recognize a great family office, and choose the right environment for a long term role?In his role as a Partner at the retained executive search firm Mack International, Brian Adams vets family offices every day, and he knows the signs of a strong organization. In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, we explore the commonalities between successful family offices, and how to recognize a high performing, well-organized family office when you’re looking for a long-term fit. Tune in to hear questions to ask and red flags to look for when you’re interviewing, as well as Brian's take on the importance of a family's shared sense of purpose.Plus, be sure to check out Mohamed's interview on A Modern Approach to Estate Management on Brian's show, The Mack Podcast!

Melissa Winstead spent 15 years as a private chef before moving into an estate management role, and in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, she's sharing how her experience in the kitchen serves her in her role today.Tune in to hear the story of Melissa's career in private service and what she's learned along the way. Melissa shares what surprised her after making the switch, what she loves about working in an estate management role, and where she hopes her career will take her next. Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.

How do you find the right private chef for your household staff? Should you look for someone with Michelin star experience, or a deep knowledge of specific cuisines? And, how can you set a new chef up for success? In this episode of the Easemakers Podcast, Marc Sorensen Leandro shares his tips for hiring managers based on his experience as a private chef turned recruiter. Tune in to hear his take on how to find the right private chef for your principals, what to look for in private chef candidates, and how to help a new private chef get up to speed quickly. Subscribe to the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and join the Easemakers community to talk to other estate managers and PSPs on a regular basis.  Enjoying the Easemakers Podcast? Leave us a rating and a review telling us about your favorite episodes and what you want to learn next!The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, modern household management software and services built for private service professionals and the households the support.