This content was originally published in our property management newsletter, Pillow Talk. Sign up here.
As part of the 2025 Leading Women in Property Management program (LWPM), 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 💪
Go ask the least-experienced person in your company what their biggest challenge is, and they’re likely to say something like “the learning curve.”
Residential property management is a tough business to learn. It’s really more of a profession. But unlike other professions like doctor or lawyer, there’s no school for it. Yes, there are more training resources available now than ever, but it’s still a job most learn by doing.
Turns out, this has been a common thread among property managers for a while. Many of the Leading Women in Property Management (some of whom have 20+ years experience) said the same thing when we asked about the challenges they faced early in their careers.
Consultant, Kelli Segretto, said that “like most people who start in this industry, I knew nothing. The learning curve was steep, especially in a litigious state like California. It was one thing to learn the logistics, processes, and paperwork (oh, so much physical paper!), but you also had to layer on the regulations and fair housing laws.”
VP of Property Management, Amy Hanson, had a similar experience. “It’s very hard to learn this business. There are very few teaching resources to learn all the ins and outs. It’s also hard to keep up with all of the changes, especially regulatory and legislative changes.”
Pamela Greene, who sold her business in 2024, used the perfect analogy: “Early on, my biggest challenge was that I was basically building the airplane while flying it. Property management isn’t exactly something they hand you a neat little manual for.”
The leadership lesson
These stories show us that resourcefulness is a key attribute of a property management leader. Learning their job was an uphill battle. But rather than backing down from the fight, they went on the offensive and tracked down the resources they needed.
I really like the way Pam Greene put it in her questionnaire:
“My “secret weapon” turned out to be equal parts curiosity and stubbornness. I asked a million questions, sought out mentors, joined professional groups like NARPM, and soaked up every training I could find.
Over time, those crash-course lessons became my foundation. Instead of being overwhelmed by the unknown, I learned to treat every unexpected situation as a chance to get sharper, and eventually, to teach and mentor others facing the same steep learning curve.”
About Blanket
Blanket is transforming the property management industry with its innovative platform that helps property managers grow their portfolios and retain owners. By combining AI-powered insights, automated lead generation, and seamless integration with existing property management software, Blanket provides property managers with the tools they need to succeed. Blanket is backed by leading Venture Capital Funds like Foundation Capital, Symbol, Operator Partners, RE Angels, and industry-leading Angel investors. Together, we’re shaping the future of property management.
