Leadership, loyalty and long-term growth – LJ Hooker's Shawn Hayes shares her real estate playbook

In this episode, REB’s Liam Garman is joined by Shawn Hayes, operations manager at LJ Hooker Property South West WA, to unpack how mentorship, culture, and a growth mindset can shape long-term careers in real estate.

Shawn shares her journey from a 17-year-old trainee in business administration to now leading operations across one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing agencies. Along the way, she reflects on the role of strong leadership, her time selling off-the-plan in Darwin, and how returning to Bunbury helped drive her passion for real estate.

The conversation explores how the right office culture – driven by trust, ambition, and personal development – can support expansion, reduce staff turnover, and keep top talent engaged. Shawn also touches on the importance of hiring for fit, and how LJ Hooker Property South West WA has scaled from one to four offices by investing in the right people.

The episode wraps up with a look at how younger agents are embracing tech-enabled, mobile-first ways of working – and why relationship-building remains at the heart of real estate success.

Tune in now,
The REB team