FWM’s Queen of Real Estate Issue (May/June print) features formidable women at the top of their game who are making serious boss moves in the real estate arena, an industry traditionally dominated by men.
As Principal of Laing+Simmons Double Bay, D ‘Leanne Lewis is a Titan in the real estate industry of Sydney, Australia. She has been a renowned talent in the industry for over 26 years, being honored with such awards as the New South Wales Residential Salesperson of the Year and the Australian Residential Salesperson of the Year. Along with making her mark in the world of real estate she’s a mother and sponsor of charitable events. D’Leanne proves that with dedication and a superior work ethic you can become the very BEST in your field.
FWM: D ‘Leanne, it brings me great pleasure to share your insight with our readers. Introduce yourself and your business?
DL: I am D ’Leanne Lewis owner of LSDB (Laing+Simmons Double Bay) with my 2 business partners
FWM: What first drew your interest to the real estate industry?
DL: I was 20 when I got into real estate. I answered an ad in the SMH for a PA. I was a girl from Blacktown. I was working as a legal secretary at the time and I just wanted to work in a new job, I really didn’t know much about real estate. I didn’t even know where Double Bay was!
The job sounded good and I got it. It was really all by chance – and fate and hard work have taken me the rest of the way!
I worked as a PA for 2 years and then asked the Director of Sales and the Boss to give me a job in sales. They said no. I then left and went to another company. After 2 years Laing & Simmons asked me back and I joined. A few years later I become an associate director and 15 years ago I bought the business.
FWM: As a woman in real estate, what do you feel has been the hardest obstacle to overcome?
DL: Until I had kids, I didn’t think women generally had harder hurdles than men. Now that I have had kids, I understand that absolutely women have harder hurdles than men. I have to balance raising 2 kids and working at the same level (mostly harder) as all the men in the industry.
I have to work twice as hard to show my customers that even though I have children, that I can still deliver the results I did before I had kids. Men don’t have this hurdle.
My competition (mostly men) also try to use the fact that I have children (and when I was pregnant they tried to use it as well) to tell my owners that I couldn’t sell their properties because I was
a) pregnant and
b) after I had kids they would tell my owners that I couldn’t possibly sell their places as I didn’t have the time and wouldn’t be available because I have babies.
Needless to say, I have proved them wrong. Results speak for themselves and do not lie!!!
I don’t think men in this industry ever have to justify their abilities because they have children!!
FWM: With over 20 years of experience in real estate, what piece of advice would you offer a woman just starting out in this industry?
DL: It’s not just about being a woman. This industry is not gender based, it is absolutely based on ABILITY & RESULTS. People don’t care if you are a man or a woman. They care about whether you can deliver results. And this is solely based on your ability. Not your gender.
So, the advice I would give to BOTH men and women, is be authentic. Treat people as you would want to be treated yourself. Be kind and genuine with buyers and sellers alike and don’t become a wanker!
FWM: What tools and/or strategic partnerships have you put in place to help women? And the community?
DL: I am a big supporter of the Gold Dinner, which sponsors Sydney Children’s Hospital. I have also been a supporter of the Royal Hospital for Women and support “itsaboutus” (www.itsaboutus.com.au). I also annually sponsor the Bronte Biathalon which is in my suburb and with my training crew, the East Side Crew which I have been a member of for 12 years.
FWM: What is next in the life of D’Leanne Lewis?
DL: Another baby maybe? Lots more sales. Happiness. Perfecting work/life balance!
FWM: How can people connect to you outside of this interview?
DL: You can contact me via email dlewis@lsdb.com.au. You can also find her at www.dleanne.com.
Photo credited to Laing+Simmon Double Bay
