Marianne Simek Says Find Balance, Find Success

Marianne Simek, President, Action Property Management, ACMC

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It does not make you look like you don’t know your job; it makes you look like someone who is eager to grow and to learn from those around them.

By Hamlet Vazquez, MCAM-HR

From office receptionist typing out check registers in the 1980s to owner of the largest privately-owned association management company in California, Marianne Simek has not only grown with the industry but helped to shape it over these past 34 years.

Marianne has been a mentor to countless association managers and office staff over the years and has grown Action Property Management, ACMC from having a handful of clients in 1987 to over 300 in 2021. As we thought about individuals within the industry that we can learn from, Marianne’s name immediately came to mind. So we asked her a few questions related to her experience these past 34 years and for words of wisdom to pass along to those starting out in the industry as well as to seasoned professionals. Here are excerpts from an interview I recently conducted with Marianne:

What is the toughest challenge you faced early in your career?

Coming to Action as an experienced community manager, I was frustrated with my inability to do the most simple tasks that I had been doing for years. I had to seek out training manuals or someone who could explain the procedure to me when in the past, it was old hat. Probably the toughest challenge was learning to say ‘no,’ or more accurately, to stop offering to take on something that was needed at the expense of my life balance. Those of us who are drawn to this industry have a certain personality type – we are superhuman. We ‘should’ be able to do more. We are first to step up and volunteer when someone needs help. We think we can do it better and faster than delegating it to someone else, and we want to demonstrate our value. In reality, the only expectations we are not meeting are our own. It takes time and self-reflection to convince our superhuman side that we are only human.

Over these past 34 years, how has the industry changed?

It has become much more professional and respected as a profession. In the 1980s, it was a very secretarial-type job. Managers were not equipped nor relied upon to provide professional guidance and advice. It has also become much more legislated, which may account for the need for increased manager education, certification and oversight, and as a result, a more respected industry.

How have you changed?

Over the years, I have accepted that I am not perfect, that it is OK to say, “I don’t know” but then use my resources to find and report the answer. Through this understanding, I found better life balance. I also accepted that I cannot control or change everything, and that has reduced stress over the things outside of my control.

If you could send a time capsule back 34 years, what would you say to yourself?

Find balance! Don’t sweat the small stuff! You don’t have to be perfect or know everything!

What advice do you have for someone starting out their career in our industry?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It does not make you look like you don’t know your job; it makes you look like someone who is eager to grow and to learn from those around them. They have been in your shoes, have felt the same level of frustration of not knowing it all, have tried to do everything and be everything to everyone. But remember: as important as it is, it is just a job, and you need to find balance in your life. Take care of you, your family, your physical and mental health. If you cannot perform the job without finding that balance, perhaps this is not the career path for you.

What advice do you have for someone who is already a seasoned manager but has another 10-15 years before retiring? What should they be doing now to leave a legacy?

Don’t settle for status quo just because you have mastered your community or role and you are now on autopilot. Always challenge yourself and if you cannot find those challenges in your role, look for something that will challenge and reward you. When you become bored, you become complacent, which is unfair to the client or your employer. Find additional challenges that match your interest and passion. If you love training and mentoring, reach out to a more inexperienced manager and offer your life experience and lessons. They will be extremely grateful, and you will feel rewarded.

Hamlet Vazquez, MCAM-HR

Hamlet Vazquez, MCAM-HR, is General Manager with Action Property Management, Inc., ACMC in Long Beach.