[Easemakers Podcast E73] From weed-whacking to UHNW estate management: Learning to manage a diverse portfolio
How do you go from landscaping to UHNW estate management? New York based estate manager Nick Washburn shares how he worked his way up to managing a complex and diverse portfolio — and what he's learned along the way.
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.
Now, in a new episode of the Easemakers Podcast, he’s sharing the story of how he worked his way up to managing 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.
Tune in to hear:
- Tips for hiring, communicating with, and retaining a diverse team of in-house and contracted service professionals
- Advice for private service professionals looking to grow in their careers
- Recommendations for courses and professional development opportunities
- The nuances of managing a diverse range of projects, from moving horse trailers to Martha’s Vineyard when your vendors are on island time to overseeing a major renovation for an apartment in Manhattan
- Lessons Nick learned the hard way on his journey to the management team
The Easemakers Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to your favorite shows.
Catch up on past episodes of the Easemakers Podcast to hear from more experts in the private service industry, and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get notified about future episodes. Follow along with @easemakers on social media, and of course, be sure to join the conversation in the Easemakers community after you listen!
The Easemakers Podcast is presented by Nines, the household management software solution built for high net worth households, family offices and the private service professionals who support them. Questions about household staffing, luxury home management, or how to create a better workflow for everyone on your team? Start a conversation today.