The 2021/22 Financial Year was BresicWhitney’s most successful in its 19-year-history. We look behind the numbers to chat with some of the people who contributed to our success and hear first hand on how they found inspiration and the drive to keep going.

Annabelle Heslop
Leasing Executive, Darlinghurst

Realising her goal of becoming a homeowner in the Financial Year deepened Annabelle’s appreciation of the process and passion for her craft. The Leasing Executive has now found a renewed joy in helping Sydneysiders find, secure and move into their new homes.

Describe the year for you in three words?
Enlightening, stimulating and joyful.

What achievement are you most proud of?
I’ve just exchanged on my first property, which is a big step in my life on both a personal and professional front. It was a clear goal that I have had for a long time, so to have finally ticked that box is very rewarding. It has also given me a lot of insight into the emotive aspect of property. I have already found myself empathising on a deeper level with clients and seeing far beyond just the transactional space of real estate.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
At first, I got disheartened and found it difficult to cope with a transitioning market. Our Leasing Team Leader, Ben Small, has guided me to work from centre and to always follow our processes. I’ve learnt that it is vital to be consistent with communication and to maintain a solution-oriented mindset, which in turn instills the client’s trust in you. I now approach a challenging market with faith in my practice, and the outlook of closing every door possible for our client to achieve a premium result.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
The importance of seizing every opportunity. When I first considered pursuing real estate, property management wasn’t where I saw myself. However, I felt a strong connection to BresicWhitney as their core values aligned with mine. This desire to work for the company shifted my initial perspective and I eventually opened myself up to further opportunities with the business. I’m now so grateful that I went for and was given the opportunity in leasing (property management). I’ve developed skills and experience in transactional real estate and get to learn from incredible mentors daily. I wake up each day with a purpose – excited for the next challenge and motivated to help my clients reach their goals. I’ve never had a job like that or felt so supported in the workplace. 

The experience taught me a lot about passing judgements on opportunities just because they don’t fit into your preconceived mold. In making a quick judgement, you could be waving goodbye to a gift you didn’t know you needed. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?
“If it’s meant to be, it will be” It’s a simplistic yet difficult notion to live by which requires an enormous amount of self-belief and mutual respect for both yourself and others. Nevertheless, there is a rare beauty and freedom to be found in the acceptance of what we can’t control.

Josh Fleming
Sales Agent, Darlinghurst

Staying grounded in sales isn’t always easy. It’s about adapting to the market, and realising there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, says Josh.

Describe the 2021/22 Financial Year for you in three words? 

Challenging, rewarding and stimulating.

What achievement are you most proud of? 

Since joining BresicWhitney two years ago, I’ve grown from working as a floating sales associate to being a listing agent, which now sees me generating and closing listings as an independent agent. This was a long-term goal of mine, so to have achieved this in a relatively short amount of time is very satisfying. I’m thankful for the support and network that BW continues to provide.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 

Adapting to the changing property market! It’s been a big adjustment not only us as agents but also our clients. It’s now about assessing the market regularly to stay ahead of the changes and capitalising on the opportunities among the challenges.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023? 

In an uncertain market, relationships matter more than ever. I’m staying focused on building strong foundations with all my clients, not just those who are actively looking to sell. An unwavering commitment to honesty and humility are absolutely integral to this.

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

Stay grounded and centered through the tougher times. They always pass and before you know it, you’ve not only come out on top, but learnt some great lessons along the way.

Jack Linton
Concierge, Darlinghurst

Ensuring the signature ‘BresicWhitney’ experience for all who walk through the door is no small task. Concierge team member Jack gives insight into how he took it to the next level by embracing all opportunities.

Describe the 2021/22 Financial Year for you in three words?
Full of opportunities

What achievement are you most proud of?
Taking our front of house operations and customer service to the next level.

What was the biggest challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
The lockdown and all its limitations. I overcame it by maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on the things that were within my control.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
Embrace all opportunities, you never know where it may lead you!

From the lessons learned, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Be more flexible – change and development don’t always come in the form you may have planned. 

Nicole Robertson
Sales Consultant, Hunters Hill 

As one of the group’s top female agents, Nicole’s authenticity is as strong as it is her reputation amongst her Hunters Hill clientele. Her goal for 2023? To nail the balance between work and life.

Describe the year for you in three words? 
Exciting, reflective, and relentless!

What achievement are you most proud of?
It’s a personal one for me this Financial Year. I moved into my new home in early 2020 and have spent the past 12 months creating a space I love to come home to and relax in. It’s taken a long time, but I’m really proud of how it’s all come together.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
Realising the direction I needed to take my business in, and taking the steps to make this happen. This resulted in some team changes and while this was difficult at the time, it was also an opportunity to allow those involved (including myself) to reassess and focus on what we’re best at.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
To nail the balance between work and life better. In the past, I haven’t always taken time out for myself, but I’ve recently re-adjusted this and now focus each week on taking some time out to do things I enjoy outside the world of real estate.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stay true to who you are. Find your groove, play to your strengths and back yourself always.

Emily Davidson
Sales Consultant, Darlinghurst 

As the only female agent under 30 recognised in this year’s AREA Awards, Emily’s industry accolades continue to build as she carves out the Eastern Suburbs market with colleague Maclay Longhurst. She chats about having an agile mindset and why good old-fashioned service is here to stay. 

Describe the year for you in three words?
All about relationships.

What achievement are you most proud of?
I have two! The first is being ranked #55 in the AREA Awards (the only female agent under 30), and secondly, our team’s placing third in Real Estate Business’ Top 100 Agents ranking.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it? 
The biggest obvious is the change in the market and shifting the mindset to remain positive when things are changing and out of our control. Not taking on this pressure personally, and making sure I deliver our clients excellent service and guidance to make the decision that’s best for them.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
What is my clients’ “why”? Regardless of market conditions, people will always look to upsize, downsize, move interstate or have had a change of circumstances. The greatest lesson is to solve our clients’ problems and help them to the next stage of their real estate journey.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Real estate is a seasonal industry. The relationships we nurture in a down season are the ones which reward us when the harvest is ready in a rising market. It’s about playing the long game and remaining focussed on genuine service and acting in our clients’ best interests.

Andrew Liddell
Sales Agent & Director, Balmian

Looking after your mental and physical health is always a good idea, especially when times are tough. Andrew Liddell – one of Balmain’s leading agents and father of four.

Describe the year for you in three words?
Commitment, change and growth.

What achievement are you most proud of?
FY21/22 was quite remarkable for the property market – it saw an environment that was divided between seeing some of the strongest growth periods in recorded history, then transitioning into a much more sensitive landscape. Personally, the commitment required in both markets meant that my mental and physical health had to remain front of mind to ensure I was/am not only performing well at work but being the best father/husband I can be at home. Therefore, I think my biggest achievement is balancing these, being consistent and feeling the rewards.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced is supporting clients through the transitioning market. In many ways we become very involved in our clients’ world for 4-6 weeks, and in a changing environment it’s your role to be there for them. To a certain extent, this includes wearing a lot of the pressure that comes with this new world that we are all becoming accustomed to.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
Work hard, stay humble.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Know that all you can do is your best, do the right thing by people & it will all eventually work out the way it is supposed to.

Donna Chu,
Property Management Team Leader, Glebe | Balmain | Hunters Hill

Donna Chu knows a thing or two about resilience. Listening to her gut and trusting the process helped her navigate the challenges of an unsteady property management market.

Describe the year for you in three words?
Challenging, enriching, and fulfilling

What achievement are you most proud of?
How our PM team came together. We went through a period where we had Property Managers actually leave the industry during lockdown. Throw a major weather event in the mix, whilst recruiting and onboarding a new team remotely, and there’s a lot to navigate!

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
Being in lockdown was the biggest challenge for me. Prioritising self-care and finding the distinction between work and life helped me manage.

What mantra or lesson are you taking into 2023?
Stick with your gut feeling. Sometimes it will feel uncomfortable before it gets comfortable, but it’s about having trust in the process.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Life is too short, don’t be afraid, everything will be ok.