News from Domestic Estate Managers Association

Q: How did you get started in the Industry?

A: I grew up in the Horticulture industry. Ten years ago my parents sold the family business to the employees. I decided at that time that a career change would be Bill Kennicott

best. The landscape industry would be the best fit. I went back to school, learning tree and shrub identification and care. When I had a difficult time purchasing an established landscape business, I needed a job that was flexible for school and at the same time in the field. I accepted a job maintaining a property. Today, I am still employed by the same principal.

Q: Do you have any formal training or degrees for domestic management?

A: I grew up in a semi wealthy part of town. Fine dining, learning to ball room dance at the age of twelve and taking care of our family's pool... etc. was common. Over time, I learned how to maintain and rehab my own homes. By this time I had developed a well rounded skill set, perfect for Estate Management. Although I realized that this would make a great career for me, I needed more formal training if I were to take this career to the next step. I went back to school and became a home inspector, learning all about homes and how to find problems. I am hoping to attend Starkey in the next few years.

Q: What have been some of the more difficult situations that you have run into on the job?

A: Learning not to get too personal with the relationships was the most difficult. I needed to learn that there is a line that needs to be drawn so the respect for both me and my principals is always present. "Familiarity breeds contempt" is a phrase that stuck with me from a book I have read on Domestic Care a few years ago. It's a phrase that works in both directions. If remembered, this phrase will help both employee and principal help respect the boundaries of our relationships.

Q: What type of principal or homeowner do you prefer to work for?

A: I suspect they are all very different. I would prefer the one who is interested in developing a long term relationship. For this to happen, there needs to be enough time and patience given on both of our parts. We can then learn the character of the people we work with. Knowing the characteristics knows how one will react before they react. When I can anticipate how one will react, I can better serve. I would want to work for a principal that realizes the importance of patience when it comes to an employee learning their personal expectations. We need to learn what they are thinking before they think it.

Q: What direction would you like to see the domestic industry go in for the future?

A: I work for an estate where I am one of two employees. The other employee works in the office. The level of professionalism, career development, and follow through in respect to both of our careers, at times has not always been present. We seem to ignore several weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks that should take place for development and integrity of our careers. But, we assume, no news is good news, and this means we are doing a good job. But this also means our employer thinks of our employment as a job and not a career. Someone working for a smaller home, I am guessing that this is probably common. I would like an association that can help train not only the employees, but also create some type of assistance or professional advisement to assist Principals develop their employees to their full potential. The result would hopefully be a stronger and more respected working relationship.