Women making waves in the world of business: part 1

August is National Women's Month, and it's time to celebrate all that the women of our country have achieved. This means remembering the heroic actions that South African women took back in 1956. It also means celebrating everything that women are achieving today. This month, Jawitz Properties shines the spotlight on two of their top-performing agents: Deena Pitum from Bedfordview and Krystal Kolnik from False Bay. We asked them a few questions about who they are and where they've come from. They also shared their top tips for women launching their careers in real estate and the secrets that got them to the top of their game.

Meet Deena and Krystal

Krystal's journey in real estate began 21 years ago, and as a young woman, Krystal found it difficult to break into the industry. With determination and tenacity, however, she helped to change the face of the industry, proving that there was a place for young professionals. Krystal's long list of accomplishments also includes being a published author and winner of a Silver Literary Award.

Having grown up adamant that she would not follow in the footsteps of her real-estate-professional parents, Deena's first job was at a conveyancing firm. Everything changed 26 years later, however, when one of the real estate agencies that she had been working with headhunted her to be their sales manager. This move took Deena into the fast lane, managing a team of up to 34 agents as well as selling property. In 2019, she decided to devote all her time to herself as an estate agent and joined the Jawitz family.

Highlights and memorable moments of being a Jawitz #RealAgent

While Deena has only been part of the Jawitz family for a relatively short time, she is already calling it the highlight of her career. "Being interviewed on Carte Blanche about the property industry during lockdown was definitely one of my greatest moments," she said.

For Krystal, the best part of being part of Team Jawitz is that it feels like an extension of her family. "The level of marketing and training is like nothing I have ever experienced," she adds, "and this has been ramped up even further during the COVID-19 pandemic when we have needed it most." Some of Krystal's most memorable moments have been the training sessions with Joel Harris, Jawitz Properties' trainer extraordinaire. "You just need to attend one of his training sessions to know what I'm talking about," she said with a smile.

Tips for women starting a career in Real Estate

According to Krystal, flexibility is one of the cornerstones of this industry - which makes it a great career choice for a woman. "With effective time management, you'll be able to structure your day productively and still manage to fetch the kids from school and attend to your family's needs," she points out.

Krystal advises any woman seriously considering a career in real estate to believe in themselves and persevere. "It can be overwhelming in the beginning," she explains, "as you are expected to be a property valuator, a salesperson, an economist and a construction and décor specialist." In Krystal's view, the starting point is to find yourself a trusted mentor who can take you under their wing and show you the ropes of the real estate industry. "Don't give up," she encourages. "You'll get there in the end."

Deena is a big advocate of taking control and responsibility in the quest to reach your goals, and she offers three great tips for women starting out in real estate. "Firstly, you need to take responsibility to reach your goals," she explained. "Secondly, you'll need to practise self-discipline, because this breeds opportunities. Lastly, you'll need to create a strong presence. Remember that first impressions count and are often based on appearance."

The secrets to real estate success

According to Deena, being driven and willing to work hard has got her to where she is today. "I wanted to obtain financial security for myself and my daughters, and that's what led me to have that drive," she explains. "I'm passionate about what I do, and I'm a people's person. Hard work has led to my success in this extremely tough industry."

For Krystal, it's about being passionate about what she does, helping where she can and offering her clients the perfect blend of care and professionalism. "That, coupled with my competitive spirit and goal-orientated nature means that I expect to achieve results," she said. With that said, Krystal's goal is not just to sell another house. "My ultimate goal is to go out of my way to support buyers and sellers every step of the way."

Changes that need to come South African women's way

Lastly, we asked Krystal and Deena what they would like to see change for South African women. According to Deena, women working in real estate in South Africa have an advantage, as they have the opportunity to earn the same amount as men. "Unfortunately, this cannot be said for many other industries, and I would love to see women earning the same as their male counterparts no matter what industry they are in," she said. Krystal added that she would like to see gender-based violence become a thing of the past. "South Africa is notorious for violence against women, and it is time this was taken seriously and addressed," she commented.

Deena and Krystal are two shining examples of women who have succeeded in the real estate world. If you're looking to buy or sell property in Bedfordview or False Bay, contact them today. If you're considering a career in real estate, check out 12 facts that you should know about the Jawitz family or contact us for more information.