Hello! I am Mikaela, and Building Bloc NW is my vision, inspired by my experiences managing Owner Associations. I've had both triumphs and challenges, often feeling like I was taking one step forward and two steps back. Burnout is an ordinary reality for many Association Managers, and it fuels inconsistency, which contributes to the struggles Associations face. That's why I created Building Bloc NW—as a partner for Managers and Associations to tackle all the needs a community struggles to address.
When I started in Association Management, I was told, "It will take two years to understand the job; one day, a lightbulb will go off, and it will make more sense." At around two years, I felt the light bulb—a sudden shift in confidence in what I was trying to accomplish and my role. My job was not to manage the Association but the business of the Association—well, nine Associations. Each year I worked, I got an even more precise idea of Association Management.
As a Manager, I learned it was necessary to stay above the clouds to keep a 30,000-foot view of the Association. There were inevitably times I would get bogged down by unplanned but inevitable events: water leaks, the sale of a unit, a garage door stuck open, or a worldwide pandemic. Attempts to plan my work became difficult as interruptions and battling priorities took over my days. The few times I had someone to partner with, it kept the Association's business moving. Proactive measures could be taken, and I could keep the view from above the clouds.
Association Management is not the glamorous job I aspired for, but it is where I discovered my empathy, advocacy, and problem-solving blossomed. Proper management is key to a community's health and success, but the expectations set on Managers and their ability to hit those marks are often left with frustration.
Finding dependable, experienced, consistent partners to assist with Associations was difficult. In some cases, the Board managed tasks themselves, but this was only sometimes a viable solution. The Board's primary role is to make decisions and provide direction to the Manager. With each Director contributing as a volunteer, they can only handle some additional tasks. Associations and their Boards rely on the Manager to take on these extra tasks or find the right resource. I couldn't find this resource, so I created Building Bloc NW as the partner for Managers and Associations to turn to.
Adding Building Bloc NW to your Association's tool bag provides the experience and perspective of a seasoned Manager to manage the extra tasks. We understand the unique challenges Associations face and take accountability for projects, aiming to meet your needs without drawing on your day-to-day resources.
You know the saying, "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." Well, a lifetime is a lot when we hardly know each other, but we are here to provide the relief and support you need for a reason or a season. Please reach out to let this "building bloc" ease the burden on your Board and Manager.
Possible Work Building Bloc NW Can Do:
Coordinate vendor management and contracts
Oversee maintenance and repair projects
Manage legal compliance with governing documents
Assist in drafting and implementing policies, such as mini-split installations
Facilitate communication between the Board, owners, and contractors
Handle special projects, like electric vehicle charging stations
Provide onsite coordination for larger construction projects
Assist with financial planning and reserve studies
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