ROCHELLE BRINSDON
How did you first get into working in real estate ?
It was something that I always knew I ’ d get into when I was growing up . My parents were in real estate in the Bay of Plenty so I was familiar with that world . My previous career was in broadcasting but when it came time to rejoin the workforce after having my two beautiful children , I was drawn to real estate .
I initially thought I ’ d start off being a PA , but at the time everyone said you ’ ll be so much more valuable if you become licensed , so I did . I thought my hours would be more set as a PA , which would work with having young children . However , everyone I spoke to told me I ’ d get really bored so I became a salesperson instead !
I met Glenn Carpenter while I was doing my papers , and I had met with other agencies , but I liked what Glenn had to offer . I actually didn ’ t know much about Ray White at the time - but I could tell working with Glenn and the company would put me in a real mentorship position , and that he would take me under his wing . His guidance , support and care for not only me , but my family and my business success has been invaluable !
What do you most enjoy about working in real estate ?
I enjoy the people that I get to meet ; that we have such an effect on them and their immediate lives and future plans . I loved my career in broadcasting but this has a more direct impact on people . Also my colleagues and especially my hard working team , make coming to work fun !
As a woman working in real estate , what advice would you give to other women getting into the field ?
Be prepared to do the grind ; love the grind and enjoy the grind for the first two to three years . While things may not happen immediately , those years will be a great pay off in the future . A piece of advice I was given was that every day you just need to be filling the bucket - connecting ; talking ; giving free advice ; not wanting ‘ now ’ business , and then eventually the bucket will overflow and all the business will start coming in .
For women , it has to be a job that you can incorporate really well into your whole life . It ’ s not a nine to five , you can ’ t clock out , you have to always think about your business and your clients - so you have to love it . Real estate is my job , my hobby and my life .
Did you have any interesting careers prior to real estate ?
I was a video editor and worked in New Zealand and overseas - I won a Qantas Television Award ( now the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards ) and I got to travel a lot which was great . A highlight was covering the Oscars in Los Angeles . I loved working with people and hearing their stories , and maybe that ‘ s the overlap with real estate ; meeting people and hearing their stories - selling not just a house but a dream and a lifestyle .
Did you have any mentors coming through the industry or previously in your career , and if so , what was the most important thing they taught you ?
As I mentioned , Glenn Carpenter has been my mentor - and continues to be one of my biggest mentors . I ’ ve found that other women in real estate have been really generous with their time ; they ’ ve given great advice about combining working with being a parent ; it ’ s a very supportive environment , especially if you reach out and just simply ask “ can I buy you a coffee ?” I find many people are very generous with their advice and time .
There ’ s also a plethora of online real estate coaches that I like to learn from , Josh Phegan for example is super useful and practical in terms of his ideas to improve your business .
The best piece of advice I ’ ve ever got is to not be thinking of the commission ; focus on doing good work and doing your job to the best of your ability and the rewards come .
What do you think is the key to your success so far ?
Perseverance , tenacity and being a good person . I like to think I ’ m not the traditional caricature of a real estate agent - not too salesy or money focused ; I like to be authentic and honest with people .
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