The Untold Stories of Real Estate Success with Century 21's Grant Smith

When you think of real estate, do you picture a cutthroat world of relentless competition? Grant Smith from Century 21, Grant Smith Property, joins me, Amy Bennett, to shatter that illusion with tales of camaraderie and the underlying humanity powering the industry. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the unexpected by highlighting how emotional intelligence and expectation management are the true drivers behind successful property deals. Grant's journey from a young property enthusiast to a real estate powerhouse reveals an industry revolutionized by technology, yet fundamentally anchored in service, communication, and reputation.

Navigating the dynamic landscape of real estate requires more than just market knowledge; it's about authenticity and the resonating mantra, "your vibe attracts your tribe." Grant and I stroll down memory lane, sharing the early career moves that shaped our paths and the value of facing stereotypes head-on. From our first jobs to the nuances of building a robust, referral-driven business, we underscore the importance of staying true to oneself and the instrumental role of family and aligned team values in crafting a client-centric experience.

Away from the hustle of property transactions, life brims with passions that intertwine with our professional lives. Our shared wanderlust takes center stage as we recount tales of travel, from the enchanting streets of Lake Como to the neon-lit Las Vegas strip, punctuated by a serendipitous birthday encounter with Celine Dion. And as life isn't just about the places we visit, we also toast to the everyday connective moments over good food and wine, revealing how our community and charitable involvement infuse deeper meaning into our work. Tune in to Beyond the Signboard for a heartwarming episode that weaves together the tapestry of real estate expertise, life's simple joys, and the impact we make along the way.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the
opportunity to learn all thereis to know about your real
estate journey fromprofessionals who are passionate
about property.
I'm Amy Bennett, your host, andI look forward to providing you
with education, inspiration anda behind-the-scenes look at the
world of real estate.
All right, well, welcome MrGrant Smith from Century 21,.

(00:32):
Grant Smith Property.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:35):
Amy, oh, I am so excited this is.
We just said it's like catchingup over the coffee table with a
vodka.
Instead we're at the office,but so good to catch up.
You're a very dear friend toboth myself and Daniel.
You're an inspiration in ourindustry and I'm so excited you
said yes to coming along.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Absolutely.
It's nice to sit around thetable as friends and have a chat
about what the industry isreally like and share some
success stories between us asfriends.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah, look, we have always said and I think what's
really important is, it doesn'tsort of matter what business
we're in.
You know, we always say to eachother every time we catch up
that there's plenty of businessfor everyone.
You know, we both reallybelieve in enhancing the
industry's reputation andproviding good service.

(01:24):
I think you definitely agreewith that.

Speaker 2 (01:26):
Absolutely.
I think there's definitely thatmisconception that real estate
agents all fight and bickerbetween each other.
But there's some real, genuinefriendships between real estate
agents and you don't evennecessarily have to be under the
same banner.
But I think those friendshipsstem from knowing each other and
what you're going through,because it is a very fascinating
industry.

Speaker 1 (01:46):
It is, and you know it's really interesting because
you know and this is hence thename Beyond the Signboard
because there's so much thathappens, isn't there in a
transaction that you can't share, that is private, confidential,
tough, and you know we willsort of delve into the depths of
real estate.
But yeah it's certainly acommonality that you know what

(02:07):
each other are going through.

Speaker 2 (02:08):
That's exactly right.
I think the physical attributesof real estate aren't too
extensive with hammering in asignboard, but it's definitely
the emotional rollercoaster thatyou follow with all of your
clients, your colleagues.
There's a lot involved mentallyin real estate and I think
that's probably something thatpeople don't realise behind the
doors or behind the signboard.

Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, that's so true and I think you know we sort of
had a chat off air before.
You know you said and this iswhat I love is that people
really is the core focus of whatwe do and it's what you love
doing and being with yourclients, being front and centre
at listing presentations duringthe process, but really helping

(02:49):
them.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
That's exactly right, and I think the biggest thing
in real estate is people mistakeour industry for being a sales
business and in my opinion ofreal estate, the salespeople
make the worst real estateagents because we're not about
selling.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
Yes.

Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yes, you've got to be the ability to market yourself,
but it's professionalnegotiators, it's professional
marketers, it's managingexpectations, it's managing some
people's egos, it's managingpeople's, you know, financial
stress, relationships, and Ithink that all married up and
dovetailed together is quite asensitive and delicate situation

(03:26):
to be in.
Our role isn't necessarily tojust sell a home, yes, but it's
to navigate the emotions thatare on that journey with those
that are buying and selling.

Speaker 1 (03:36):
It's so true and I say that so often because you
know there's not many peopleyou'd give the keys to your home
to and I always take that assuch a trusted gift from my
clients.
But again, like you say, withthat comes a lot of
responsibility.
There's also a lot of emotionsto navigate.

(03:57):
My background was in communitypharmacy and used to say the
same thing.
You know it's solution basedselling.
So you're certainly selling,but it's helping people with an
outcome.
So I think that's reallyimportant and there's so many
elements you know to an agent aswell, we don't have a product
that we sell.
You know first of all we haveto source that.
So there's many different hatswe must wear and I guess that's

(04:20):
why you know a lot of successfulreal estate agents have a team.
That's why you know a lot ofsuccessful real estate agents
have a team.
If you have the unique skillset, like I know you do, to be
able to do all of those things,that's obviously testament to
your I was just saying nearly 25years in the industry.
So let's delve back.
I did say I could read your bio, but I love your story and I'd
love you to share it.

(04:40):
Let's go way back to14-year-old Grant here on the
coast.
So we're both sunny coast kidsnot so much kids now, but grew
up here, so let's chat aboutthat first foray.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Absolutely, it's been a full circle for me.
My office is located 80 metresaway from my primary school, so
I've done the full circle.
I've always had a passion forproperty in general.
When I was 14 and in thoseearly teens, it was actually
architecture that drew me toproperty and I'd jump on my bike

(05:14):
and ride around the suburbs andlook at any open homes I could.
This is pre-telephones,pre-realestatecomau.
It was riding down to the localcorner shop, picking up the
Sunshine Coast daily andcircling all of the houses that
I wanted to go see, and fromthat it developed over years.
This is pre-RP data or onlineinformation services, where I

(05:36):
was at the age of 13 or 14 on mybike, arriving at open homes to
local agents saying, grant,what do you think this is worth?
Because I'd been through moredoors than the local agents but
they didn't have the technologythat was up to date of what had
sold.
So it's amazing to see just howmuch technology has evolved and
simplified our industry.
But I think the core of realestate is still communication,

(06:00):
service and reputation, and nomatter what comes through our
doors to make our lives easier,more efficient, more relatable.
Those core values of what realestate's about have never
changed.

Speaker 1 (06:11):
And I think that's something that's so evident.
It's that back to basics, isn'tit?
It's just being there as ahuman being.
I don't want to jump ahead, butI know that is really important
for you is all of those extra1% things.
And never losing sight of that,and I think, without having the
journey you have had, which is,you know, like you said,
picking up the Sunshine Coastdaily, did you have to sort of

(06:32):
work out the proximity?
Did you work out a run of whereyou were going?

Speaker 2 (06:35):
I did, and it would usually be probably a five
kilometre radius of home on mybike with my helmet, riding
around checking everything out,racing from one to another.
Yeah, and then it was when Iwas 14, on the landline.

Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yes, mum had a phone call.
I know what that is.

Speaker 2 (06:52):
Mum had a call from our local agent, thinking that
he was going to complain that Ihad been riding through their
open homes because a few agents,you know, didn't quite know
what I was all about.
But others picked up that itwas just simply passion, and one
particular agent that mumthought was going to complain
actually said look, you know,your son's welcome at any one of
my open homes.

(07:12):
He's got knowledge in the areaand fundamentally it was that
business that I started in as aschool-based trainee when I was
14 in real estate.

Speaker 1 (07:22):
Yeah, it's amazing.
I just find that so fascinating, and what a gift to know at
such a young age what you wantedto do.
You know we're going to chat alittle bit later about what else
you would have done.
We did discover that we had oneother job that we'd both done
as well, so share about yournine months at the plaza.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
Yes, my nine months at the plaza with Rabbit Photo.

Speaker 1 (07:42):
Yeah.
So what did you say?
You were a rabbit-eer.

Speaker 2 (07:45):
A rabbit-eer is what we used to be called.
I love it, and I did that whileI was at high school.
It was my first casual jobprior to getting into real
estate, so a bit of an obsoletejob for us oldies now.
Amy.

Speaker 1 (07:59):
I was just thinking, for those that are listening,
that you know.
It's just funny, isn't it, whenpeople don't even know what a
CD player is or a cassette, andwe're both still young.
But so, yeah, grant was workingat a photo processing lab where
they would actually process thephotos, and my first role was
in pharmacy and I used to runthe photographics counter.
I mentioned to Grant beforethat we would just put the film

(08:22):
roll into an envelope, send itoff to Brisbane and it came back
the next day.
So I never had the pleasure ofgetting to see people's photos,
but you mentioned that you mighthave had a chance to we did,
and it's so fascinating now tothink when you look back.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
We thought nothing of it at the time.
But for the entire public tostand at a glass window watching
people's photos get developed.

Speaker 1 (08:43):
Oh, it's a bit different to the doughnuts
rolling over at Donut.

Speaker 2 (08:46):
King in the window.
Do you remember that?
Yeah, funny.

Speaker 1 (08:49):
So look, you know real estate, so 14, and then
look by 21,.
Is that right that you'd hadyour?
You've got your own office thatyou still have now, like let's
chat to how you got there,correct?

Speaker 2 (09:01):
So when I finished my school-based traineeship, I
joined another large real estateorganisation and did a two-year
traineeship with that company,and just after my 18th birthday,
I joined Dave and Marg Robertswho owned Century 21 at Budrum.
Yes, and essentially that'swhere my career has been ever

(09:23):
since.

Speaker 1 (09:24):
That's amazing.
So did they step out of thebusiness when you were 21?
How did that?

Speaker 2 (09:28):
They did, which all came quite suddenly.
Our goal was always look, youknow, I'd get the first option
to purchase the business.
I didn't expect that to happenwhen I was 20.
But subsequently we actuallysettled on the purchase of the
business the day before my 21stbirthday.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
That's amazing and you know, I know that you hold
many awards and accolades toyour name, and rightfully so,
but I believe many of themaround being the youngest person
to be able to have taken thatcourageous step Like my gosh, I
take my hat off to you even at,you know, I'm nearly 39.
I don't know that I could evendo it.
I think it's just incredibleand you must have had a lot of

(10:06):
good support around you at thetime.

Speaker 2 (10:08):
I've definitely always had good family support
as well as real estate supportas well.
But it is fascinating just athow much the industry has
changed.
20 years ago, which you know isa long time to some people and
not long to others.
20 years ago which is a longtime to some people and not long
to others, just how I wasessentially the youngest agent

(10:29):
to be in the industry, theyoungest agent in Australia to
own a real estate office at thetime yeah, wow.
But also the objection that youhad from the industry itself,
saying you were simply too youngto be a real estate agent and
just in that 20-year period,whether you call it a pioneer of
the industry, but now it's suchan appealing career to younger

(10:51):
generations.
Absolutely so.
That's been a massive shift.

Speaker 1 (10:55):
That's incredible and I think that you know that if I
was to talk to anyone about you, that's very much what stands
out.
You know, people are alwayscomplimentary of your energy,
your enthusiasm, your passion,but, I think, very much being
able to overcome obstacles.
You've always been really proudto be yourself.
You've always had, you know, abeautiful office and I think

(11:19):
you've always yeah, you've never, never differentiated from that
and I think that's reallyimportant.
But it is difficult, like I canrelate, you know.
You know I'm not definitely notyour, you know postcard real
estate agent either.
So, yeah, you, you inspirepeople like myself to just
unapologetically be yourself.

Speaker 2 (11:37):
I think that's so important.
I suppose it's what brings ustogether having a chat on the
podcast today, but, mostimportantly, what brings us
together as friends as well isthat you need to have a
personality.
No one should hide behind whothey are as a person.
You've just got to have anacceptance that not everybody is
going to want to do businesswith everybody else, but you've

(11:57):
just got to find your groove,your people.
And suddenly I always say thatthere's agents who farm an area
and in that area you could have,you know, hundreds of different
personalities that may not allalign with you or you with them,
and vice versa is, have a farmdemographic Prospect people that

(12:18):
are your people and do businesswith them.

Speaker 1 (12:21):
Yeah, that's such great advice because you're
exactly right.
I think that's you know whatI've always your vibe attracts
your tribe and I think also, youknow we speak a lot at length.
We're both really fortunate tohave a very strong
referral-based business and Ithink that you know that
probably would be something thatpeople that aren't from the
Sunshine Coast probably don'tunderstand is that our community

(12:42):
is very tight-knit.
You know we, you know if you'renot good at what you do, you
found out.
You know if you're, if you'reyou know reputation or you're
you do the wrong thing.
It's pretty quick and apparentand I think that it stands
testament to you know 25, nearly25 years that you, you know,
just continue to give goodservice to people.

(13:02):
You know we can't all be likedby everyone, but we don't like
everybody as well.
So I think it's reallyimportant, yeah, that we find an
area, you're right, you know,just have your referral based
and then your core area.
Obviously, your office is basedin Budrum, so you've got, you
know, a really long standingcareer there.
What other areas have youenjoyed selling over the years?

(13:24):
Really longstanding careerthere, what other?

Speaker 2 (13:25):
areas have you enjoyed selling over the years?
Budrum's not, even though it'sa top performing suburb in
Queensland.
It wasn't a choice for me tosell in Budrum.
I grew up in Budrum.
I went to school at BudrumMountain Primary.
I was Mountain Creek State HighSchool.
So my career just simplyevolved where I was fortunate
enough to grow up as a family.

(13:46):
Yeah, amazing, when you talkabout sort of the support behind
you, I've got my mum in mybusiness.

Speaker 1 (13:52):
Yes, we love your mum .
She's just an angel.

Speaker 2 (13:54):
She's amazing and she looks after all of our business
management, me, the office.
And I think that's probably oneof the crux of just keeping such
a strong reputation is wearen't.
Even though we're a franchisebusiness, we're very much a
family-owned and operatedbusiness.
On the inside We've always hadquite tight staff retention, so

(14:17):
it's not a circulation of peoplecoming and going through the
door, but also with my name onthe door, so to speak, is you've
got that peace of mind, ofsecurity.
I've been there for 25 yearsand I'll be there for another 25
.

Speaker 1 (14:30):
I know there's no getting rid of us.

Speaker 2 (14:31):
You've got that consistency, and I think that's
what people look forward to inan agent.
You don't want someone that'schopping and changing constantly
, or where are they popping?

Speaker 1 (14:39):
up next.
That's really good, yeah,really good thought process.
And look, tell us about yourteam.
We, you know we've delved alittle bit into that.
But you know, like you and Isaid, off air, you know teams
grow and they swell and theyreduce and you've got to find
that magic, I guess that magicmix, don't you?
You've got a great, you know,team but also flexibility.

(15:00):
You know we'll delve about that.

Speaker 2 (15:05):
So let's chat about your team.
Yes, I think having a team isprobably your most vital part in
success, other than your ownbrand and your own persona yeah
it's important to have the rightpeople behind you, because it's
easy to get the business basedon your name.
But are people going toexperience that same level of
service and even matchingpersonalities?
Because if someone likes youfor who you are and we're both

(15:27):
in the same boat, neither of usare dull, boring people that you
can't have someone go.
Wow, we love your energy.
And now I'm dealing with someonewho's just sitting in the
corner.
So, having the right team is soimportant Having people that
are on a similar wavelength toyou similar drive, similar goals
and engage with people on asimilar wavelength to you
similar drives, similar goalsand engage with people,

(15:48):
certainly on a similar level.
Everyone's unique, but I thinkyou've just really got to have
the right people that will gelwith first and foremost, you as
an agent and secondly, everyonethat you're dealing with within
your business.

Speaker 1 (15:58):
Yeah, absolutely.
And do you think that's ataught skill or that's just
something that naturally that'sjust somebody's personality type
, I think?

Speaker 2 (16:05):
personality is a natural skill.
It's unfortunate that you can'ttrain someone to have a good
personality.
We're definitely not.

Speaker 1 (16:14):
Neither of us are in the corner, people no definitely
not.

Speaker 2 (16:16):
But I don't believe there is anything in real estate
that, if you've got the rightpersonality, like you said, the
right vibe, the right attraction, there is nothing in real
estate that can't be taught.

Speaker 1 (16:28):
If you are a genuine human being, out with good
principles, doing the rightthing along your journey, yeah,
and I think that's so true andwe both have had a really
extensive apprenticeship, andlet's chat about that because
there is such a thought processthat it is quick and easy.
So you had, you know, really,we sort of both had about five

(16:51):
years of really watching goodagents.
I mean, probably you didn'thave the exposure to, you know,
things that we do now withpodcasts and YouTube and
everything like that.
Where did you gain yourinspiration from?

Speaker 2 (17:04):
I think a lot of it back then was no different to
business.
A lot of it was face-to-face.
I've never been afraid to talkto someone about hey, where have
you got to, how have you doneit?
What have you experienced?
Exactly like you and I aredoing now?
Yeah, amazing, a lot moreface-to-face conferencing back
then.
But also just observing and Ithink the beauty of real estate

(17:24):
is not every lesson in realestate is what you should do.
There's a lot of lessons inwhat you shouldn't do, so true.
And I think, just watching andgoing, hey, that's something I
like, I like how that waspresented to a client or how an
agent said that and other thingsthat you think, well, gee, that
didn't quite fly.
So that's not how I want tooperate as an agent and, as you

(17:45):
said, we've both had five yearsto be able to understand that.

Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yeah, and curate your own process.
I think you know, and alwayslearning.
I mean, I picked up somethingamazing from my colleague, bree,
on Saturday and I just sort ofreflected yesterday and just
said look, can you chat methrough your thought process and
why you did that?
And it was just so inspiring tolearn and I think that's the
thing, isn't it.
We joked and said you know, youthink you know everything, and

(18:10):
then you know there's a newscenario and no two homes are
the same, no two clients are thesame.
You know, you would havecertainly seen a lot of
different scenarios, but yeah,always something new to learn.

Speaker 2 (18:22):
There has been and I think over the years but yeah,
always something new to learnthere has been and I think over
the years I've been fortunate in25 years of real estate that
three months after we purchasedour business and settled, they
announced the GFC.
So in essence we've had thatopportunity to really see all
markets.
We had that initial GFC in 07,which did probably follow

(18:43):
through for a good couple ofyears before we saw traction
again.
And then there's been that sortof roller coaster over those
journeys and when people, as weknow, over COVID, we did
experience, you know, priceinflation that none of us
predicted and if even you and Iwere having a drink during COVID
, we would have said priceswould have crashed.

Speaker 1 (19:02):
Yeah, and you would have put your money on it.
That's exactly right.
Yeah, just a bizarre time,wasn't it?

Speaker 2 (19:08):
It was, and that's probably the most unique
environment I've seen in anymarket.
It wasn't considered a normalreal estate market.
Correct, and that's a concern,like not a concern.
But certainly there's agentsthat have come into the industry
over the past three years thathave come in on complete false

(19:29):
pretenses because, yes, we'vebeen able to say we've had a
good couple of years, but therewere 22 before that.
Correct, where?
It was a genuine real estatemarket where you were working
hard to get a deal together foryour clients.

Speaker 1 (19:44):
Absolutely and multiple times.
You know.
But deals didn't necessarilyjust go through the first time,
you know.
I've certainly learned thatfrom you know many people that
were in, you know, actually,growing up my stepfather was an
agent in a commission only worldback in 1996.
And I remember how tough it was.
There was months there wherethere was no income coming in.

(20:04):
So I'm certainly not, I knowthat I'm fortunate to have
entered the industry in the timethat I have, but I have had
those years as well to sort ofobserve, do you?
I mean it's probably the sameacross you know the whole
industry, but certainly here onthe coast you saw an inflation
of people joining the industryduring that sort of COVID gold

(20:26):
mining time.

Speaker 2 (20:27):
Absolutely, and I think that comes back to
reputation.
During COVID, Everyone knewsomeone in real estate, but I'm
sure you're experiencing it toonow.
Particularly rolling into thisyear is clients and sellers are
focusing back now more so ontowho's actually going to get me

(20:47):
the best result here, correct,and not necessarily just going
with the best friend that's beenin real estate for 12, 18
months.

Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think it's a really it's areally interesting thing, isn't
it?
Because you're so right?
I mean, you know even ourselves.
You know we've got multiplefriends and people we know that
have joined the industry.
But until someone's been in,you know tough market conditions
, you know there's a resilienceisn't there, that's born through
you know those years and alsojust being aware that, I mean I

(21:15):
very much am aware that thedeal's not done until the deal's
done, you know, and you knowthere are excitement levels.
We said, you know the wholesalejourney really is a roller
coaster and there's highs andlows during it.
But I think that's probablysomething that I've learned from
people that have really, youknow, done the years in the
industry is that you know, justalways be aware and have a plan

(21:35):
B, c, d, e, f, maybe all the wayto Z.

Speaker 2 (21:40):
And I think that's the beauty in real estate, and
probably part of why we love itis that no day is ever the same.
You don't know who you're goingto meet, you don't know what
results are going to come acrossyour table.
Or, more importantly, which Isuppose probably doesn't get
talked about often, is what fireyou need to put out in the day.
Yeah, and it can be an absolutebomb, whether it come to a

(22:03):
building impasse or trying toresolute finance clauses, and
these are all the things thatcome across our desk on a daily
basis, and I don't think I'veever seen a post from any real
estate agent on social mediaabout a photo of them putting
together a deal that's about tofall over on a building, and
pest.

Speaker 1 (22:22):
There's lots of champagne and bubbles but it's
not seen.
No, that's exactly right, and Ithink, you know, I think, yeah,
we were like fearful I can'teven say the word failure, you
know, like that's.
So me, a recoveringperfectionist, but you know, I
think there is such a perceptionisn't there.
And you know we're all smartenough to know that social media

(22:42):
is the highlights reel.
But I guess that's why I was sodrawn to doing this podcast.
Was, you know, a conversationwhere somebody had said, look,
you make it look too easy.
As real estate agents, like youknow, we're all smiling.
And you know we're all smilingand you know, I'm sure we don't
want to share photos of, youknow, the bloody, tough times,
but they are there and they'rethere every day.
And you're right, prioritisationis really important.

(23:05):
That's been a really goodlesson for me.
So do the things that you cando and get them done.
So you've got time availableBecause, like you say, a phone
call comes, you know, an emailcomes and your whole world
changes and that might be anopportunity to list something.
It may be a deal that you knowhasn't gone to plan, but equally
so, life as well.
You know, I think that'ssomething, you know, that we so

(23:28):
often forget as well, and that'swhy you and I have a really
strong team behind us, bothpersonally and professionally.
Because you know no moment isguaranteed and you know life
does happen and you know,unfortunately, as real estate
agents, our clients do want usthere 24-7, but we do need
breaks and you and I both like aholiday or two.

Speaker 2 (23:49):
We do and I think it is so important to create that
healthy work-life balance and Ithink I'm still refining that
after 24 years.

Speaker 1 (24:00):
Is that because of the love and passion you have
for your role?

Speaker 2 (24:03):
There is, and I think that, to care, you don't want
to let anyone down, but it's avery fine line of not letting
anyone down but, mostimportantly, not letting
yourself down or lettingyourself get into a headspace
where you're not bestrepresenting yourself as a
person.
So I think it's so vitalwhether it be mini or longer,

(24:24):
you need to have those momentswhere you can go.
You know what?
It is okay for me to just goand recharge my batteries and
come back full, absolutely.

Speaker 1 (24:33):
Oh look, you're preaching to the converted, and
it's something that you know.
Both of our husbands are alwayson us, aren't they to?
You know, spend some time withthem, but also to look after
ourselves, and that comes from aplace of love.
So has that been?
That's obviously been a learnt,you know, has there been times
where you've gone long stretcheswithout you, stretches without

(24:54):
looking after yourself?

Speaker 2 (24:56):
Admittedly, it's more the guilt of going away, yeah,
but I've always been one to makesure that you have pre-booked U
events yes, which you know.
Whether it be a small minivacation where we're going away
for two, three nights, yes, orwhether we're jumping on a plane
and going away for two weeks.
Six weeks, yeah.
You've got to have those thingspre-lodged into your calendar

(25:18):
and I always like to have aminimum six months in advance of
going all right.
well, that's when I'm going.
That's where I'm going, and Ithink that does keep your mind
focused on why, ultimately,you're doing it for yourself,
Like yes, we are working forpeople.
Yeah, but I think the hardestthing to do in real estate
that's the most vital ismaintain your own self-worth and

(25:42):
mental health.

Speaker 1 (25:43):
Yeah, look, I hear you.
I think it's so important.
You know it's a challengingindustry, there's no doubt about
it, and you know, like I said,the, you know resilience and,
like you said, the strength thatyou need and to best represent.
You know it's really hard to gofrom 0% to, you know, 100%.
People want us at 110%, so itis exhausting.

(26:05):
So it's important and I thinkthat you know in a positive way,
we love that flexibility of ourroles.
You know that we can gettogether, you know, on a
Wednesday morning, and have acatch up.
You know that we can gettogether, you know, on a
Wednesday morning and have acatch-up.
You know now, and we certainlyput in enough hours the rest of
the week as well.
I think that's really important.
But definitely having thatsupport as well and you
mentioned as well Offair thatyou also you have the

(26:27):
conversation with your clients.
You know, you let them know andyour clients very much have an
understanding of what they'regoing to get with you and then
it's emulated with your team aswell.

Speaker 2 (26:38):
And I think that's important is it's, as you said
before, it's your vibe thatattracts your tribe, and I think
that comes back to the peoplethat you do business with as
well.
Yes, I've always maintained andI say to my clients when I'm
listing a property is I willnever work for you, but you are
engaging me to work with you asa team, to work together to get

(27:00):
you the best result possible foryour home.
Yeah, I love that I think it'san industry where it is
relationship-based, and if we'regoing to say that it's
relationship-based, then itcan't be employment-based either
.

Speaker 1 (27:10):
Yeah, that's fair.
Yeah, and it also is, I guess,testament to the longevity that
you have with clients.
You know, I know you repeatbusiness is huge for you and
referrals and that's.
There's no greater complimentis there that you know somebody
has been through such a hugeprocess and undertaking.
They've been really happy withthe result and then happy to
either engage you again or referyou, which is probably the

(27:34):
reason you are voted the numberone real estate agent on the
coast through the Sunshine CoastDaily recently, which was super
exciting.
Congratulations.

Speaker 2 (27:44):
Thank you.
It was certainly a surprise,because I think that was
probably as an agent, one thingthat humbled me the most is we
all know that with social mediaand particularly news outlets, I
did have some concern about anytrolling.
But, to even my own surprise,there was nothing but praise

(28:04):
from people I'd sold for, peoplethat had purchased obviously
friends and family that arealways your biggest cheer squad
in the background.
But I think that's probablywhat humbled me most is that
there was nothing negative.

Speaker 1 (28:18):
No, it was awesome and, like I said, the industry
support and respect for you isimmense and that was really
awesome and I know I privatemessaged you to congratulate you
and you did share that.
You were sort of worried andlook, I don't know a social
media post that doesn't havesomething.
You know the grass is green.
No, it's blue.
So, look, it is a testament toyou and you know, nearly 25

(28:40):
years is just phenomenal and tostill have the passion and
energy for you.
What do you love about yourrole?

Speaker 2 (28:47):
I think the most important thing that I love is
it's always been the diversityof the people that you make, the
friendships that you make, therelationships, the whole process
of you know, real estate is notjust property, it's people as
well.
Yes, and I think we're veryfortunate that both of us are

(29:11):
quite extroverted and social,and that's a lot of real estate
Like, yes, there's the hard workbehind closed doors, the phone
calls, the typing out, you knownew scripts, things like that.
Yeah, but ultimately we do havethat flexibility to go.
You know what?
I need to take five and I'mgoing to pop down to the cafe
and have a coffee with a friend.
Yes, and ultimately, yes, it'snetworking, but it just gives
that flexibility.

Speaker 1 (29:30):
Absolutely, and I think you know when you were
just saying then about beingextroverted and, like I would
imagine, you were a pioneer of,you know, being on camera as
well.
I've seen some really cool oldvideos of you and you know that
would have been cutting edge atthe time, like what did a video
look like, you know, 15 yearsago?

Speaker 2 (29:49):
I think the interesting part of when I
started in real estate is wewere right on the cusp of every
agent and news media outlet waspushing paper advertising.
And back then it was look, westill need your four full page
ads in the paper at $4,000 aweek, when homes were only worth

(30:11):
an average of $500,000.
And you're asking for anywherebetween five and $20,000 in
marketing.
Great insight To then goingwell, we need to spend all that
money in the paper and we shouldprobably put your house on the
internet, Like maybe we just puta little feeler in that water.

Speaker 1 (30:28):
This thing that's just coming.
Yeah, it'll never take off.
It'll never take off.
No one's ever going to look onthe internet.

Speaker 2 (30:33):
Oh, far out, and it was one of the divisive things
that I did and we can both agreethat.
You know, through our entirecareers and lives, ray White's
been very focused on print mediaand having the biggest exposure
.
To be at the front of the paper, yeah, and there was never an
opportunity.
But I saw the opportunity whenI was 18, 19, that I, as Grant

(30:54):
Smith, was never going to have14, 15, 16 pages of ads in the
paper At $5,000 a page.
But we could offer analternative and we were the
first adopters in Queensland andalmost used as a guinea pig
with realestatecom that wevirtually pulled print media all
together and even back then, inday one, back in 2008-ish, when

(31:19):
realestatecom came out.
Ironically, the prices todayare the same as what they were
back then.

Speaker 1 (31:27):
But we were able to offer an alternative.

Speaker 2 (31:30):
So there was one stage there in Budrum where
every agent was scratching theirheads as people started looking
at this thing called theinternet on their computers.
Yeah, of course that you jumponline in Budrum and the first
two pages were all our listings,because we went to that premium
listing.

Speaker 1 (31:44):
And you always have, haven't you?
I know that you've alwaysunderstood the value for that,
and we're the same as well, andyou can't muck around with
things like that.
You've got to be, you've got tofish where the fish are, don't
you?
And you've got to be able toprovide the opportunity for
people that aren't justphysically at that area.

Speaker 2 (32:01):
Correct and I think that's been.
You know, probably one of thegreatest value adds to our
industry is when I first started, like I said you'd be asking
for.
The rule of thumb when Istarted was the marketing had to
be 1% of the value of theproperty, and so, on a $500,000
home, you were expected to beasking for $5,000 in marketing.

Speaker 1 (32:23):
Was that paid up front?
Was there a?

Speaker 2 (32:25):
It was always paid up front.
Yeah, it's a big commitment.
Cash, check or credit yeah, Ilove it.
I love it.
And now there's so many otheralternatives for people selling
their homes.
Yeah, of course You'd manyother alternatives for people
selling their homes, but you'dprobably agree that even on a $2
million property now you wouldbe hard pressed spending $5,000
of someone's money to give theman awesome campaign.

Speaker 1 (32:45):
Yeah, that's exactly right.
Yeah, Look, it's an interestingthing with the evolution of
what's possible with marketingand I think that's probably a
really good insight as well asyou.
You know, if we signed up toeverything that was offered and
you know, prop tech is huge.
Obviously there's the latest,greatest and everything, but I
think you kind of came back to,at the core, it's ultimately

(33:06):
just do the basics right.
You know, real estate is verymuch an a to z process.
There's certainly tools to helpus.
Um, you know, obviously gettingtime back that is the most you
know precious thing that we allhave.
But, yeah, very much notgetting caught in the fluffy
stuff and just really what isthe key drivers to getting your
client the best result?
Correct?

Speaker 2 (33:26):
And I think in your degree, social media can be a
double-edged sword for a lot ofpeople in a lot of industries.
Just because you're on thereand you're being seen, is it
still necessarily the bestreflection of your brand?
I think the reputation faroutweighs the views and I think
that's not isolated to realestate.
I think in general you've gotto have that little bit of a

(33:49):
fear of just because eyes arelooking at it and seeing it.
With that next generation that'sprobably a couple below us us
now is just because they'reseeing it doesn't mean that it's
a positive reflection on yourbusiness.

Speaker 1 (34:00):
Yeah, that's right, and I think, look, there's just
so much isn't there to unpackwith social media marketing and
I think ultimately it comes downto really identifying who is
your audience.
You know I don't make anysecret that my social media is
very much skewed and is you know, my audience is very much my
referral network.
So, have I sold properties offsocial media?

(34:23):
Absolutely, is that my coreobjective?
Absolutely not.
So I think you know it's.
That's probably where I seepeople are really muddying the
waters with what their messagingis.
So it's not.
It's not a platform for justlisted, just sold.
Certainly, you know they'reimportant, but ultimately it's
about an insight and, again,beyond the signboard, having a
look at who are you as a person.

(34:43):
Why would I give you the keysto my home?
You know, what skills do youhave?
That stands you, you know, wellabove the rest.

Speaker 2 (34:50):
And I think with social media.
Again, it's not coming back tothe cell, but you're very
similar in how we both operateon our platforms, and I think
it's important to give people astory and that's what you've
done to create the success ofthat buyer or that seller.
It's not I did.
I got you know.
I think data and analytics areprobably for us in the industry

(35:11):
in the background.
I don't think that needs to beportrayed to buyers and sellers
necessarily as a litmus to yoursuccess, but the emotional
journey and positivity that youcreated in the outcome is far
more important.

Speaker 1 (35:24):
I think that's so true and I think you know
probably that's something that'sa given and I think you know
you and I both would agree withthat.
You know, and we hear this sooften you know you wouldn't ask
a surgeon their credentials oranything like that.
And you know, I know Tom Pannos, you know famously sort of says
you know what other industry doyou say we've sold this many
this month and everything likethat.
So yeah, it's interesting.

(35:44):
I mean, storytelling isessential to what we do.
So hence why we're doing thepodcast to be able to share our
stories and, you know, give thatinsight and your people can get
a bit of a glimpse of who weare as people as well.
If I love this question, but ifyou weren't in real estate,
it's hard to fathom.
You know, obviously youcouldn't be a rapporteur anymore

(36:05):
.

Speaker 2 (36:06):
No, I think my days of developing photos are
probably a little bit past us inhistory now.

Speaker 1 (36:11):
Yeah, you took the better career choice.
What would you do if it wasn'twhat you're doing now?

Speaker 2 (36:17):
I've always loved design, people and property and
I just have never seen myselfoutside those realms.
As you know and we've had thehelp of your wonderful husband,
daniel we've done a lot ofrenovations and projects and I
love that hands-on aspect,particularly being in the
industry.
We are across the board of whatit does cost to renovate a

(36:39):
property.
Yeah absolutely, even some ofthe smallest jobs that you think
that need to be done, just thedevelopment of costs and having
an understanding of that, and weabsolutely love that aspect of
real estate developing,renovating.

Speaker 1 (36:57):
Well, you've done some amazing makeovers as well,
haven't you?
And I think that you knowthere's no greater gift to a
property than being able to seewhat's possible and transforming
it.
You know, even in your own home, you know there's nothing
better, is there?
I mean, we both have very pinkaspects of our house.

Speaker 2 (37:10):
We do.
We share that in common.

Speaker 1 (37:13):
Which is awesome.
And look, look, your homereally is your sanctuary.

Speaker 2 (37:18):
You have your beautiful husband, jeff, and
your two puppy dogs at home wedo, and I think that's very much
where home is, where the heartis.
For the better part of 15 years, we were buying, selling,
renovating every couple of yearsand I think now that we're
married, yeah, I think we'vereally sort of found our place
where we're just happy, andthat's home, is where the heart

(37:38):
is.

Speaker 1 (37:38):
It is and you know you're the same.
You've got that sanctuary whereit's your space and I'd love to
see you enjoy that and share.
I wanted to ask you what mythor misconception or the greatest
myth or misconception youbelieve about our industry, or
the greatest myth ormisconception you believe about

(37:58):
our industry?

Speaker 2 (38:02):
I think the greatest myth and misconception is the
reality of it and that is thatthere is such a push and look.
You know, stepping slightlyaside, I you know I disagree
with the.
REIQ promoting that you can be areal estate agent in five days
that's our governing body saying.
You can have a license and runaround after five days with us
on a course that you can't fail.
Yeah, it's interesting thatthere's not been enough focus to
the consumer that absolutelyanybody on this planet can be a

(38:26):
real estate agent and cannotfail, but that the value isn't
put on the experiences of theyears within the industry and
what that individual's donethemselves to further their
career, enhance their careercareer.
Enhance their career.
And, as you would know, we weretalking about it just off air
is we've come back to a marketwhere everything doesn't just

(38:47):
slide across your desk and slideback into the sold section.
There are things that you needto navigate in between and some
of those conversations over abuilding and pest renegotiation
and extension of a financeclause those things take, you
know, sometimes a little bit ofa harder conversation, but it's
having the tools, the knowledgeand those years of experience to

(39:08):
be able to navigate peoplethrough it to make sure that
they make their right decisions.
And an agent who's only been inthe industry for 12 months and
not been confronted with thosechallenges may not have the
tools in their toolbox to beable to navigate you through
that Correct.

Speaker 1 (39:25):
Confidently as well.
I think that's you know, whenyou're dealing with two
different.
You know personalities, twoparties.
You know bringing that together.
You know it is a reallyskillful dance, isn't it?
I think that's a really good youknow myth, and I think maybe
people aren't aware that it is.
It can be as simple as doing acourse and that's it, you've got

(39:46):
your certificate and you're off.
It is quite terrifying andthere probably, I would suggest,
be not many other industriesthat are like that.
So I think that's a really goodwarning sign, or perhaps
something for people to bediligent.
And you know there's nosurprises that our industry is
not highly regarded, of which we, you know, continue to try and

(40:08):
you know increase people's.
You know understanding of whatwe do different and we can't be
held responsible for everybody.
You know, obviously we play abig part in what we do ourselves
, but I definitely think youknow that ability for people to
be able to access and hit theground running, hit the phones,
have somebody's keys it's just avery careful decision that the

(40:31):
property owner really needs tomake.

Speaker 2 (40:33):
That's exactly right and I think for the vast
majority most people are quiteeducated in their decisions of
an agent.
But I don't think I couldstrengthen enough the value of
doing your research on years inthe industry.
How many properties has thatagent sold?
Take a glance at their socialmedia presence take a glance at
their profiles of what's sold,read legitimate reviews and do

(40:55):
that little bit of backgroundresearch, because you're going
to, as a seller, get a farbetter understanding of what
others are saying, doing and howyour property is going to look,
based on you selecting thatagent to be within their
portfolio of properties for sale.

Speaker 1 (41:10):
Absolutely, and we, you know digital interview is so
important and that's a hugeevolution.
You know we were just chattingabout that off air, about you
know, if you're going up againstfour other agents.
You know it's kind of anantiquated thing that someone
would say, look, you know, ifyou're going up against four
other agents, you know it's kindof an antiquated thing that
someone would say, look, youknow, grant, we've got you at 10
, we've got Amy at 11, we've gotX at 12.
And you know you have thatawkward where you're leaving as

(41:31):
they're coming in.
Most people are doing their ownresearch online, and so I think
that's a really vital step, likeyou said, that, making sure
that your information isaccurate.
I know you've always beenreally renowned for having a
huge volume of testimonialsonline.
You can't fake those.
They are genuine buyers andsellers that you've transacted
with, and there's no greatergift of good service is somebody

(41:55):
thanking you and taking thetime to articulate that process.
So you can't get away from that.
If you're a brand new agent andyou've got nothing in the sold
section, nothing in the for salesection, no reviews, like it's
bloody tough, isn't it to getfrom there to, you know, a
listing.

Speaker 2 (42:10):
It is, and I think that's so vital is taking into
consideration a lot of thosereviews.
We always laugh about it saying, in real estate, if you took an
agent from every single office,I am yet in our community of
the Sunshine Coast to meet thenumber two agent on the Sunshine
Coast, because they're allnumber one, that's right.

Speaker 1 (42:33):
Absolutely Never let the truth get in the way of a
good story.
Hey, we're all number one insomebody's eyes, exactly.
I love there's an agent thathas a billboard on the coast
that says like number one agentand then in brackets buy my kids
or something like that, yes,yes, oh look, but you definitely
have.
You know, like I couldn't counthow many times you've been
number one at many differentthings, but, as I say, first and

(42:54):
foremost, as a great person,and that's why, you know, I was
so excited for you to comethrough.
So let's put real estate asideand get to know you a little bit
more.
We would love to know yourdream holiday destination.

Speaker 2 (43:08):
I think that travel's always been a passion of mine.
Yes, so there's always anotherdream and something else to add
onto the bucket list, but we'vealways enjoyed our travels in
the States.

Speaker 1 (43:19):
Yeah, did you say 11 times in 11 times in 11 years.
Yeah, that's, epic.

Speaker 2 (43:24):
I'm sure a lot of you would know, but some may not my
draw card was always to LasVegas to see Celine Dion Amazing
.
So that was always my draw cardto the States.

Speaker 1 (43:33):
How many times have you seen her 40.

Speaker 2 (43:36):
40?
I didn't know that.
40 times yes.

Speaker 1 (43:38):
Hey, nearly one for every year, and you've had the
opportunity to meet her.

Speaker 2 (43:41):
I did.
I met Celine for my 30thbirthday.

Speaker 1 (43:43):
Amazing Favourite song.

Speaker 2 (43:46):
Would definitely be well if it came to karaoke, it
would be.
It's All Coming Back to Me Now,but otherwise it's.
The Power of Love.

Speaker 1 (43:53):
Yes, and you know I've never told you this, but
that was my first album that Iever bought was the Celine.

Speaker 2 (43:58):
Dion, oh my goodness.

Speaker 1 (43:59):
Was it the?
Because you Loved Me?
Well, you'd know what album.

Speaker 2 (44:02):
Falling Into you.
Yes, yes.

Speaker 1 (44:03):
Yeah, it was my first CD and, gosh, I only had one,
so I just had that on rotation.
Yeah, no, I knew that, but Ididn't know 40 times has she
been to Australia?

Speaker 2 (44:14):
She has.
Yes, I've seen her a couple oftimes in Australia as well,
awesome.
I guess that's of who we are aspeople, amy.
We're very passionate aboutwhat we love.

Speaker 1 (44:22):
We love.
Yes, Well, I'm very much knownto go halfway across the world
for a music festival as well.
You enjoy Europe as well.

Speaker 2 (44:30):
We do.
Europe's always been one of ourfavourite places to travel.
Yeah, I suppose, rather thandream destination in the future,
it would be almost dreamdestination in the past.
We were fortunate enough to getmarried in Lake Como last year.
Amazing the past.
We were fortunate enough to getmarried in Lake Como last year.
Amazing, which was a beautifulsetting, a couple of doors up
from Uncle George's house.
I love that.
I asked that already.
Yeah, but that would have beenmy dream destination.

(44:52):
That was always my goal, beforeJeff and I even met, was to get
married in Lake Como, arrive bythe Reaver boat.
So we painted our own fairytale that day.

Speaker 1 (45:02):
Well, you deserve it and you know you are a beautiful
, you know match made in heavenand gosh, we couldn't do this
without an incredible supportand, like you said, you know,
with your beautiful mum and nowJeff by your side.
So obviously that was.
I was going to ask what yourbest day of your life is.
I think you've already told us.

Speaker 2 (45:20):
We've summed that up, I think.

Speaker 1 (45:21):
It was definitely.

Speaker 2 (45:22):
My wedding already told us.
We've summed that up, I thinkit was definitely my wedding,
but every day you've got toenjoy in life, absolutely, you
know.
There's always the memoriesthat remind you of how good our
life is.
Yeah, and there's always thosefuture memories that keep
pushing you to keep being thebest version of yourself,
because you and I both have suchamazing memories still to
create.

Speaker 1 (45:38):
Yeah, absolutely, and what a gift in an industry that
just keeps giving back and, youknow, will continue to evolve
and change.
And who knows, you know us in20 years what that looks like
and how much the industry willchange.
That's really exciting.
But I think at the core, likeyou said, you know when people's
your focus doing the rightthing, what's your favourite

(46:00):
meal and drink to enjoy?

Speaker 2 (46:02):
I've always been a sucker for Italian.
I think you know a nice Italianmeal with a glass of red wine.
Yeah, perfect combination To mefood, is it's relationship
based, I think.
A beautiful meal with someonethat you love, close friends.
It doesn't matter what you'rehaving, but it's that moment in

(46:23):
quality time of actually sittingdown to smell the roses, so to
speak and enjoy a meal withfriends and family.

Speaker 1 (46:30):
Yeah, it's a real connection point, isn't?

Speaker 2 (46:31):
it, it is.

Speaker 1 (46:32):
Yeah, and so I know you do love to host at home as
well.
You know we've been fortunateto have beautiful dinners at
your place.
Favourite restaurant on thecoast.

Speaker 2 (46:42):
There's just so many on the Sunshine Coast.
We sort of bounce between.
I think, well, market Bistro isalways a go-to.
We're there for dinner thisevening, beautiful, but there's
so many local businesses that wesupport on a regular basis,
right down to you know greatcoffee, yes.
Shout out to North.
Awesome Coffee in North Budrum.
Yes, they're your faves,they're fantastic, yeah, awesome

(47:03):
but.
I think that's something thatyou know we're always very
mindful of.
We do try to support local whenwe come to all of our like.
We use our local butcher, yes,we use our local Fenwick's the
grocer.
Yeah, we try and buy all of ourproduce and even if it comes to
a shop, you know we both farprefer to go to say a Ross's IGA

(47:24):
, white's IGA.

Speaker 1 (47:26):
Yeah, we love.

Speaker 2 (47:26):
Ross, because I think that's so important in a
community that supports usAbsolutely.
Is to make our little world onthe Sunshine Coast go around, we
need to be supporting eachother, and that can be the
smallest of things.

Speaker 1 (47:37):
Absolutely, and I think you know we're a real
mecca of small business here andI know that from my time with
the chamber of commerce.
Um, community is so importantto both you and I.
Um, and giving back to thecommunity, um, I was literally
having a look on your bio withall of the amazing organizations
you've supported and let'slet's chat about that a bit.

(48:00):
But you know it's funny.
I just introduced you to ourteam and they remember you
emceeing.
You know Steps Winter Ball.
You know you never hesitate toput your hand up for you know.
Auction Celebrity, auction no.
Charity auction, celebrity,that's all right, we can auction
some celebrities but alsoSunshine Coast Animal Refuge.

(48:21):
So Scars is, you know, I knowthat's a really special place
for both of us but you knowyou've got a really special
relationship with them.

Speaker 2 (48:30):
It is SCARS has always been.
It's a non-for-profit localorganisation that have been
running for over 40 years andthey rehome cats and dogs, which
I think you know.
They've both got special placesin our hearts.
Amy and I are both avid doglovers.
Yes, and I think what they'vecreated for the community on the

(48:52):
Sunshine Coast beingparticularly non-for-profit,
it's genuinely done out of thelove and hearts of volunteers
and the community support, andover the last two years we've
been quite proud to be involvedin the development of 20 new
shelters.

Speaker 1 (49:08):
It's incredible, yeah , amazing We've raised funds for
those shelters.

Speaker 2 (49:12):
I mean, who better to ask than to sponsor dog pens,
than a real estate agent?
It's just like selling houses,but with a little bit of a guilt
trip to convince you to supportsuch a good cause, don't you?

Speaker 1 (49:23):
want them all to be empty, though that's the hardest
thing and you do a beautiful.
there's a beautiful luncheon.
I know in Budgeram that yousupport every year for them as
well.
But yeah, look, scars is areally special place.
I know, you know, gosh, overthe years, the dogs that we've
rescued from there and dogs thatI've lost, and then we take the

(49:44):
blankets and toys andeverything there.
They really are just at thatgrassroots level, positioned
right next to the pound andreally committing to save all of
the animals that they can.
They also do some great workwith our homeless community.
So helping vet bills for thosepeople that are doing it tough,
they know that companionship isreally important.

(50:04):
Other charities that arespecial to you We've always had
good support of charity.

Speaker 2 (50:11):
For the last 22 years , if not longer, yeah, we've
supported the Budram LadiesBowls Club.

Speaker 1 (50:17):
Yeah, that's right.
Yes, that's beautiful.
I love that.

Speaker 2 (50:21):
And you know it is bowls.

Speaker 1 (50:22):
Yes, and there is still a segregation between the
men's and women's.

Speaker 2 (50:24):
Beautiful, I love that, and you know it is bowls
and there is still a segregationbetween the men's and women's
bowls, so we've always lookedafter the ladies.

Speaker 1 (50:28):
I love that.
That's beautiful, and I didwant to also mention your
Letters to Santa.
Program is always somethingthat always stands out to me
that you know kiddies can dropoff their Letter to Santa and it
miraculously gets to them.
Yes, and I think could bothagree that Christmas is one of
our favourite times of year.

Speaker 2 (50:47):
We love a celebration and there's no doubt we both do
it over the top, so alwaysgrowing up as a kid and even as
an adult.
Christmas is such a wonderfultime of year.
And to spread love and justthat little bit of excitement.
Each year we do have our Santabox that we put out.

Speaker 1 (51:01):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (51:02):
And children are able to ride into Santa and we have
responses sent back to theirparents.

Speaker 1 (51:07):
So it's all those little things.
It is which brings me to ourlast question.
I don't want it to end.
We could literally talk forever, but you and I probably have
our phones going nuts in thebackground.
What's your favourite quote orsaying?

Speaker 2 (51:23):
I would say that there's not much traffic on the
extra mile.

Speaker 1 (51:32):
It doesn't take much to change your gear and just do
that little bit more thaneveryone else.
Yeah, look what a beautifulclosing sentence so encapsulates
who you are.
As you alluded to, you are apioneer of our industry.
You're absolutely so wellrespected and loved in our
industry, but also as a friend,and I am so excited to see what
the future has for us both.

Speaker 2 (51:51):
Thanks, Amy Always a pleasure.

Speaker 1 (51:53):
Oh, amazing.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode of Beyond the Signboard
.
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.
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