Celebrating our top women

THIS International Women’s Day (IWD), we are shining a light on a few of the women that make Ray White great.

Not only are they outstanding real estate agents and business owners but also inspirational women who live this year's IWD theme #ChooseToChallenge everyday. They sat down to talk about their real estate careers, the many hats they wear and what advice they would give to women starting out in the industry.

Before real estate, Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont principal Vivien Yap (pictured above) was a qualified pharmacist who owned two successful Perth pharmacies. She then decided to take the plunge into her dream industry - real estate.

"I have always loved real estate, and friends, even other real estate agents, were constantly suggesting I get into the industry. I finally did – and I haven’t looked back," Ms Yap said.

"I love listening to people and trying to find out about their needs and wants. I have a close relationship with all my clients.

"I love the support from the Ray White team and White family. There’s lots of training and new technology available to support all aspects of real estate, you just need to ask. The largest property group in Australasia, founded in 1902, are true innovators for the future and their investment in technology is compelling."

One of Ray White Queensland's top agents and the sales director of Ray White Bridgeman Downs Sonya Treloar (pictured above) first joined the industry because she felt that the agents she often dealt with where almost absent from the job."I felt that it was a profession that I could inject some genuine empathy and understanding into and that I might be good at it," Ms Treloar said.

"I started in late 2010, commission only in a local Ray White office. My first day didn’t go well, I came home to my husband Wayne and said that I couldn’t go back. I did and the rest is history…"

In 2021, Ms Treloar said she wants to continue to pass on the knowledge and experiences that she has gained to new starters in the industry.

"I have had such great mentors both inside and outside the group. My advice would be, don’t let anyone tell you that you are not good enough to succeed in this industry, believe in yourself and get a good mentor who shares your values," she said.

"Let real estate be your career, not what defines you."

For Ray White Rural Dayboro | Eumundi selling principal Vicki Pain (pictured above), getting into real estate was "100 per cent a joke". Coming from a successful business designing and selling a ladies country clothing range, Ms Pain said she was looking for something different.

"A friend noticed an ad in the Courier Mail about Ray White recruiting, he said I should look into it and 15 years later I am still here and now have two offices," Ms Pain said.

"When I look back, I think that I​ would do it all differently. Starting in real estate I lacked confidence and belief in myself but it has taught me so much.

"Knowing what I know now, I would tell women thinking of joining the industry to just do it. If you have spent your life raising children and navigating life with your husband then you have every skill in negotiating you will ever need."

Ray White Castle Hill agent Sara Perry (pictured above) knew at the beginning of her career that real estate was her passion. She loved observing her team in their negotiations and providing service to clients on the agents behalf. It was during that time she decided real estate was the only career she wanted to pursue.

"Over 14 years later, I still feel the same passion for real estate as I did on my first day. Once I sold my first property there really was no going back, it gives you an adrenaline rush, and you just want to go from strength to strength from there on," Ms Perry said.

"In 12 months, I genuinely hope to be doing exactly the same as I am doing now. Helping my clients achieve their property goals whilst earning a living to support my little family and having loads of fun along the way."

Ms Perry, who is also a mum to eight year old Eva, said all women in real estate inspire her no matter who they are or what their background is.

"All women in real estate are inspirational, regardless of whether they are young and single and fight to prove their worth and status, or whether it is a mum juggling the long hours, lengthy phone calls and time away from her family because she loves the industry and she is making a difference in so many lives," she said.

While real estate turned out to be different to what she expected, Ray White Aspley agent Angela Duncan (pictured above) has never looked back after starting in the industry at 15 years old.

"Admittedly, when I started as a teen, I thought selling real estate meant you had a Mercedes and a lot of time off," Ms Duncan said.

"But I stuck with it because there is nothing like it – it’s completely addictive, even with the highs and the lows. There is absolutely no limit to the opportunities available."

Ms Duncan said she tells women starting out in the industry that being female is a strength, not a weakness.

"Never apologise for being a powerful freaking woman. It’s such an amazing advantage to work with clients, juggle our crazy lifestyles and a huge strength that I believe most women can be both tough negotiators as well as calm and empathetic for all clients," she said.