In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Jonathan Bell, the owner of Housemark and Wingman Group. Jonathan's journey in the property management industry is nothing short of inspiring. He started his business four and a half years ago with a vision to revolutionize property management, an area often overshadowed by sales in the industry. Starting from scratch, Jonathan's determination and innovative approach led to the growth of his business to over 2,000 managements in Queensland, with 1,800 of them being organic growth.

Jonathan is a firm believer in the power of early mornings. He recently shifted his breakfast catch-ups to 6:30 am and even challenged his colleague Tyler to do the same. He also has a 5 am call with his business coach every morning. Jonathan's love for early mornings stems from the belief that it gives him more time and energy to accomplish his goals.

The breakfast catch-ups are not just about starting the day early; they are a marketing tactic that creates a human connection and leaves a lasting impression. A memorable story from Tyler, one of Jonathan's colleagues, during a phone call, is a testament to the effectiveness of this approach.

Jonathan's businesses are powered by a strong team. He has 40 staff members working directly for Housemark  and an additional 150 staff members working across other agencies in Australia. His team of eight senior property managers each manage between 250 to 350 properties, with support staff assisting with entry reports, routine inspections, and exits.

The conversation took an interesting turn when we discussed the role of virtual assistants (VAs) in property management. Jonathan's approach is to assign each property manager their own executive assistant based offshore. These assistants handle tasks such as maintenance, lease renewals, and tenant communication via email, allowing the property managers to focus on landlord communication. They also have an accounts division with four offshore accountants who handle rent reconciliation, invoicing, and landlord replies.

The future of VAs looks promising, with the possibility of each person having their own VA who knows their style and can assist with various tasks in their personal and professional life. However, Jonathan pointed out that Filipinos, who make up a significant portion of the VA workforce, prefer to be called remote professionals (RPs) as they believe they are more qualified. He emphasized the importance of titles in the Philippines and how a change in title can make them happier than a financial incentive.

Jonathan also addressed the biggest misconception people have about using remote professionals. He believes that offshore workers are no different from hiring Australians and finds it interesting that people are more nervous about hiring someone offshore for a lower price than a senior property manager who has access to sensitive data. He suggests keeping an open mind and treating remote professionals like Australians.

Jonathan's journey and insights into property management and the use of remote professionals provide valuable lessons for anyone in the industry. His innovative approach to property management, the importance he places on human connection, and his views on remote professionals are all factors that have contributed to his success.