When I traded my dance shoes for a real estate license, I never imagined I’d be writing about finding joy in property sales.
After performing on Broadway and choreographing parades at Disneyland, the idea of listing presentations and compliance paperwork seemed about as exciting as watching paint dry in an open home.
But here’s the thing: just like in show business, we real estate agents often get caught up chasing the glossy highlight reel.
We scroll through Instagram, seeing agents in Brisbane selling stunning mansions or watching Selling Sunset (which, trust me, as someone who lived in LA, is pure smoke and mirrors).
We convince ourselves that success means being that slick, suited-up agent with the Harbour view listings.
Let me be real with you – I’m a suburban agent selling homes where sometimes I have to quickly close the toilet lid before filming.
My market isn’t luxury penthouses; it’s helping everyday mums and dads navigate the pressure of cost-of-living increases while making their property dreams happen. And you know what? That’s where I’ve found my greatest joy in this industry.
We’re all guilty of it – following the same scripts, dropping the same letterbox flyers, walking through homes pointing at obvious kitchen benches like we’re revealing state secrets.
“Here’s your kitchen!” (No kidding, mate, they can see that).
We’re all swimming downstream following the same formulas, while our potential clients are in Facebook groups begging for something different.
What I’ve learned from my years in entertainment is that when everyone looks the same and acts the same, you need to find your point of difference.
For me, that meant embracing my theatrical background and creating “soul dances” when I sell a home. Is it unconventional? Absolutely. Does it make some traditional agents cringe? Probably. But it’s authentic to who I am, and it resonates with my suburban market.
The real magic happens when you stop trying to be what you think a real estate agent should be and start being who you actually are.
Whether that’s my dancing garden gnome brand or your unique approach, it’s about finding what brings you joy and letting that shine through your work.
Photo credit – Kirra Smith Photography
I’ll let you in on a secret – some of my wealthiest clients from my showbiz days had the most chaos in their lives.
Meanwhile, the young family stretching every dollar to buy their first home brings me more fulfilment than any luxury listing could.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just selling houses; we’re helping people make moves that transform their lives.
To my fellow agents reading this: Yes, the industry is demanding. Yes, there are days when compliance requirements make you want to sob your heart out.
But if you’re feeling burnt out following the traditional playbook, maybe it’s time to swim upstream a bit.
Ask yourself: What genuinely excites you about this job? What makes you different? How can you bring more of yourself – your real self – into your work? Because when you find that sweet spot where your authentic self meets your market’s needs, that’s when the magic happens.
I may not be the most organised agent (just ask my accountant about my numbers), but I’ve built a successful business by focusing on creating joyful experiences for my clients.
Whether it’s through quirky marketing videos or treating each sale like it deserves its own celebration, I’ve found that when you lead with joy, success follows.
Remember, at the end of the day, we’re all in the business of helping people make significant life changes.
So why not make it an experience worth celebrating? And if that means doing a soul dance in front of a sold sign or finding your own unique way to bring joy to the process – go for it.
After all, we’re not just selling properties; we’re creating moments that people will remember for the rest of their lives. And if we can find joy in that process, well, that’s better than any million-dollar listing.
