International Women’s Day is a day that we hold very closely to our hearts at Stone. With a network of incredibly successful women, we love to use this time of year to highlight and share their amazing achievements in the real estate industry. Although we have hundreds of inspirational women as part of our Stone family, we picked a few to tell their story as part of #InternationalWomensDay.
Samantha Xerri (nee Macri) – Head of Property Management at Stone Real Estate Manly
Hello Samantha! Firstly, we’d love to know, how did you fall into real estate?
I was working selling tiles, and a girlfriend of mine suggested I interview for a role as the receptionist at my local Professional’s office. I got the job and within a month all three property managers left and I was thrown into the deep end doing repairs and trust accounting. Real Estate was a bit less “official” back then so a 17 year old property manager was acceptable I suppose. It scares me to think of it now!
Wow, that sounds pretty daunting! What do you like about working in real estate?
Property Management can be really tough, so the best part of my job is helping new people into the industry. Teaching them how to manage the never-ending stream of work and about building relationships with clients. When my team get great reviews or gifts from their clients, that makes it all worth it.
I bet! What’s been the most challenging part of establishing yourself in your career?
Probably being taken seriously by business principals. For so long Property Management was just an appendix of sales, I was always getting asked “when do you get promoted into sales?” I have had more conversations about Property Management as a career, and its importance to a business than I care to recount. I feel only now people (industry and otherwise) are starting to understand the importance of Property Management and that yes, it can be a career on its on.
Absolutely! Do you think that being female has had an impact on the success of your career?
Being female has helped my career immensely. It’s generally assumed women make better Property Managers so I was always looked upon favourable for jobs. Also being from a family of strong women and supportive male role models, I never saw my gender as a disadvantage. I worked very hard and fought for respect for sure, but I thought everyone had to do that, so it never occurred to bother me.
What would your advice be for a woman looking to embark a career in real estate?
As Sheryl Sandberg famously said, women need to sit at the table. Make yourself visible, available and take risks. I took opportunities when I was younger that scared the heck out of me. I managed people older than me and I still challenge the thinking of my peers. Also be prepared to be challenged yourself, if you’re lucky enough to build a great team, that’s what they should be doing.
Great advice. Finally, if you had one piece of advice to give your younger self what would it be?
Education is never a waste of time. All knowledge is empowering and it will take you anywhere you want to go.
Thank you Samantha!
Are you thinking about a career in real estate and want to speak with someone that can give you more information? Call us today on 0422 077 819 for a quick chat about how you can begin your successful journey with Stone.
To read more about #InternationalWomensDay and how you can help accelerate women’s equality this year with their #EachforEqual campaign, click here.