When did you join Cooley Auctions?
2013.
What was the “spark” that said “Auctioning is the way to go. My destiny?”
I decided to get into Auctioneering when I did my real estate licence and we had to conduct an auction. Every body else was shaking and nervous but when I got up there I was quite confident and the tutor said I should seriously consider getting into the industry.
What made Auctioning the preference to being an agent?
My decision heavily weighed on the fact that I knew I wanted to start a family. Work life balance as an auctioneer was more appealing to me than an agent and having a background in speech and drama it felt like a natural and more fitting progression in my career.
To become a real estate auctioneer takes a lot of confidence, courage and fortitude. Did you have these qualities as a child and a teenager growing up?
My background in speech and drama started when I was 3 years old. My mum enrolled me into drama classes, which lead to being in plays and musicals right throughout my childhood and teenage years.
Obviously to be successful as an Auctioneer are there times when you may feel apprehensive, nervous or I really cannot see this auction being successful?
I get a mixture of emotions before any auction. There is always a hint of nervousness but generally a bigger feeling of excitement and enthusiasm in wanting to achieve a fantastic result for the vendor and agent.
Equally, have there been times when you felt “I could have done better” or maybe I let them down?
You’re always your own harshest critic so of course there are always times where you thought you could have done things differently. As an auctioneer you have to work in a high-pressure environment and think on your feet a lot. After the auctions finish you sometimes have time to relive your decisions, but in saying that I’ve been trained by one of the best auctioneers in the country and have years of experience so even in high pressure situations I make educated decisions that are in the best interest of my clients.
How do you bounce back from that? Is there a mantra that you have that gets you back up there?
As above.
Professionally, do you have structured day / week plan?
I do. My week consists of speaking with agents and vendors about upcoming auctions, midweek in-room auctions, reserve meetings, inspections, and obviously Saturday is game day.
Do you have a good work / life balance?
I’m now a mother to a 6-month-old son and I’m very lucky that my career does offer a lot of flexibility and that I am able to still have my career and be a mother to Hendrix.