New Business Manager Rachael Ioannou was studying HR at university when she spotted an opportunity at a local property management agency. After submitting a business proposal to the directors, she was hired – by her mother! The rest, as they say, is history.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Eastside Property Centre.
I’m the New Business and Leasing Manager, responsible for the health and growth of the rent roll and relationships with our clients across the department (both tenants and investors). We expanded enough over the last 12 months that we have now brought on a full-time leasing specialist – so I have stepped back from leasing and now lead our new specialist, who is achieving great results in just two months!
What motivated you to get into real estate/property management?
I have a HR background, but while studying at uni I was also organically doing BDM work for our other family business at the time. I saw a gap in the agency, which was for growth of the rent roll, so I put together a business proposal to our two directors (one being my mum) and started a few months later!
What is the market like in your area right now?
We have expanded to cover all areas of Brisbane and surrounds, so the markets tend to vary throughout the year. Being January, though, all areas are at their peak for the year and we are renting homes either off-market or within the first few days of listing – we love this time of year!
Who or what inspires you?
Daily exercise and meditation are my non-negotiables – I start my day with both and find they put me in my most positive and inspired state. The real estate industry can be fickle which can affect motivation, so I rely on these practices to keep my head in the game.
In your ‘briefcase’ right now is…
A mango, purse, water bottle, application forms, pen, and iPhone.
Something (or someone) you couldn’t live without?
My fiancé, family and friends – I live for moments spent with them.
What do you enjoy most about EPM Magazine?
The resources and knowledge shared are brilliant!
What apps do you use most at the moment on your iPhone or iPad?
Snapchat, email, Google Maps.
What advice would you give someone starting out in property management?
Align yourself with a buddy or mentor in the industry – someone you can catch up with for coffee to bounce ideas and questions off. I remember starting out and feeling like I had no real clue where to start as a BDM, so I aligned myself with a coach (Tara Bradbury) and a few other BDMs doing well in the industry. They were very supportive and helped me set clear goals and a vision.
Words to live by?
Your energy is infectious, so whenever you enter a room or answer a call think about the energy you want to bring to that conversation or space.
How you make people feel is what lasts.
