Introducing Common Threads 🧵

This issue of Pillow Talk, our weekly newsletter, went out by email on November 15, 2025. Get the next one.

Hey friend,

Welcome to the 23rd weekly edition of Pillow Talk! This is where I share my personal thoughts on life, business, and property management.

This week is episode one of a new series we’re running called Common Threads🧵

As part of the 2025 Leading Women in Property Management program, each honoree answered a questionnaire covering a wide range of topics. We noticed that, despite coming from different generations, backgrounds, geographies, and companies, they share remarkably similar experiences and perspectives.

This series explores those common threads and shares what it takes to become a leader in property management 💪

Common Threads 🧵 Episode #1: Unexpected Detours

One thread we noticed again and again in the Leading Women in Property Management questionnaires is an unplanned entry into the industry.

Amy Hanson bought a real estate company not realizing they also did property management. “It was literally a surprise getting into the property management business.”

Ashley Andreoni-Romo had just graduated college and had her first child. She planned on using her degree and becoming a teacher, but was met by a slim job market. That’s when she jumped at an opportunity for a full-time receptionist position at a multi-family company.

Bess Wozniak never planned on joining her family’s property management business. She started out in children’s theatre (her first career love). But in 2010, life had other plans, and she stepped in as the front desk administrative assistant and quickly found that she had a knack for the work.

Kellie Tollifson and her husband started out flipping. When that didn’t go as expected, they began renting their investment properties. “One thing led to another and in 1996 we started T-Square Properties.”

Pamela Greene started out selling homes. One day, her broker called her into his office and announced she would be running their new property management division. She looked at him and said, “Are you sure you’re not crazy?”

My takeaway

Every single honoree mentioned above said yes to an unexpected opportunity that led them to where they are now.

They could have shied away from change. Instead, they adapted and stepped up to the challenge. Like many leaders and entrepreneurs have, they took a leap of faith. They didn’t have a career roadmap (does that even exist in property management?). Yet they have all held multiple leadership positions in property management, and in NARPM. Would they have even heard of NARPM if they didn’t say yes?

These stories show us that leaders are people who can step into a gap and figure it out. Leaders aren’t deterred by uncertainty, disappointment, or a sudden change in plans. They’re people who learn to thrive regardless of their circumstances 💪

Good night 😴

Lior Abramovich
Co-founder, CEO