Brigitte Stills is a dynamic Property Management Growth Consultant with over 44 years of experience. She specialises in providing profitable strategies and systems to property managers and real estate agents in this highly competitive market. As the founder of Stills Properties Consulting, a boutique, independent agency, Brigitte has successfully guided hundreds of agents and their teams to increase profits, improve efficiency and productivity, receive consistent referrals from owners, meet legal obligations, and prevent rents from going in arrears. She also successfully managed a team of property managers responsible for around 6,500 properties.
In addition to her work in the real estate industry, Brigitte is a Global Business Connector for the Women Speakers Association, where she connects powerful women in business with other local and international women leaders. She helps Australian women collaborate and innovate with the power of international support, share their message professionally, and make the impact they dream of.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Brigitte to learn a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. How did you get started as an entrepreneur? What inspired you?
Brigitte: My journey started in early 1975 when I had to find a part-time job to fund my University studies.
I joined a company that was looking for a part-time rental clerk.
I loved the job and did very well, leasing 30 apartments in my first month. The company was impressed, provided an excellent letter, and asked me to join them as a full-time employee.
I did so and, within three months, became the property manager, and from there, they asked me to join their sales team 6 months later.
I wanted to expand my career later, so I joined a large franchise group.
Working in sales and enjoying what I was doing led me to start my own business. I started a Ray White franchise and later moved to Laing & Simmons.
Some years later, I rebranded to Stills Properties. That was always my vision. I specialised in executive leasing, and we leased out most of the high-end properties on the North Shore to executives being transferred to Sydney. We also had a sales department. However, my passion was property management.
After winning several awards for Property Management, other agents contacted us and asked if I could help them establish a similar brand. Hence, my consultancy business started.
I slowly started my coaching and Consultancy business.
Three years ago, I sold my rent roll and continued with my consultancy, coaching and added mentoring.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Brigitte: I knew very early in my career as a real estate agent that I wanted to be a business owner. I had heaps of ideas that I wanted to work on. When I introduced my ideas to my then-boss, he said, let’s not change what is working. I couldn’t understand that as his business wasn’t growing. Why not be better or do things differently than our competitors? Why be satisfied with a stagnant company?
When I started my business, I joined networks and groups. I wanted to be visible and to share my voice with other entrepreneurs.
I marketed our services and how we were different from our competitors. I was running a boutique agency, and our total focus was on our clients, what they wanted, and how we were going to deliver and communicate to them regularly. They were our business and our testimonials. I joined a local radio station and offered free real estate advice for several years.
Q. How do you stay organised with such a busy schedule?
Brigitte: My passion and purpose have been helping people provide them with better service or ensure they get paid for what they expect.
I’m driven by being better at my job than my competitors. Visibility has helped me with my business. Talking about my points of difference and ensuring that I have back-up testimonials have been key performers for my business.
A plan that included time management for my staff was essential, ensuring they were aware of their daily tasks and had time out for their breaks. As property managers, the phone doesn’t stop some days. To ensure a structure was in place, we would make most calls between a specific time and answer calls during that time unless they were urgent.
When emails arrived, they played a big role in our service. All repairs and maintenance were processed via email. Hence, any calls related to new business or urgent matters were attended to immediately.
Q. What are three things you would do if you had a magic wand?
1. The first thing I would try is to stop the wars from happening
2. Stop the violence and the abuse of each other and provide more education on health to assist with this
3. Ensure our politicians are more answerable for the decisions they make.
Three years ago, when I was asked to represent the Women Speakers Association in Australia, I was honoured to be chosen. My job was to organise and run all events, make decisions about the organisation’s growth, marketing and promotion and ensure we increased our Australian membership base.
I felt honoured and excited that CEO Gail Watson gave me the opportunity to take up this role unsupervised. I was also impressed that she believed in my ability and trusted me to make decisions and judgments.
WSA had considered becoming involved in Australia, but a suitable candidate was not found. It wasn’t until our conversation that the CEO spoke to me about it and offered me the opportunity. I was also allowed to participate in their collaborative book Voices of the 21st Century. I’ve participated in the Voices International best-selling book for two years in a row and have become a best-selling author for two years running.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Brigitte: I would name it “My start in Real Estate in 1975.” It would be about the lessons I’ve learned, the relationships I’ve built, and the legacy I’ve created, which will last a lifetime.
Q. What motivates you?
Brigitte: Assisting and helping women in need, providing support and education, and sharing my experiences in life.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Brigitte: The most critical investment I’ve made is to further my education, become a licensed real estate agent, and finish my diploma in psychology.
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Brigitte: I recommend attending network events and social gatherings related to their industry, offering your services at a local radio station, and being the go-to person for advice. I also recommend investing in furthering your knowledge and working with a mentor.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice for someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Brigitte: As Roy T. Bennett said: “Believe in yourself, You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
To keep up to date with Brigitte and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn.
