MY JOURNAL is a collection of storytelling articles that highlight my journey as a businesswoman and independent agent. I share personal stories and life lessons, as well as insights into business, branding, real estate, investing, and building a career that gives you the freedom to live a life you love.

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CAREER, BUSINESS, MONEY Wendy Russell CAREER, BUSINESS, MONEY Wendy Russell

Real Estate and the GCI Obsession

For as long as I have worked in real estate, our industry’s obsession with GCI or gross commissions earned has irked me. Why is it that to be considered a success in real estate, one has to close the most deals at the highest values? It’s time we recognise ethics and client satisfaction just as much as we validate earnings.

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CAREER, BUSINESS Wendy Russell CAREER, BUSINESS Wendy Russell

The Rise And Fall Of The Boys’ Club

As a 5 ft woman of asian descent, I accepted I was always going to have a target placed on my head for mistreatment, bullying and condescending behaviour in the workplace, and so it came as no surprise when men in the industry “tried it on” as I like to put it. Here’s how I learned to manage it.

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CAREER, BUSINESS Wendy Russell CAREER, BUSINESS Wendy Russell

DOING IT JUST FOR THE MONEY: is it really ok?

Do we do it for money or something else? Whenever the question of Why is raised, we have our rehearsed response and then we have our real reason. Or perhaps our Why is a combination of both? Admittedly, money is often the one that is left off the table for socially acceptable reasons but should we be shaming others if that really is their driving Why?

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BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell

LEAP OF FAITH: getting comfortable with fear

Going out on your own is scary. The self-doubt. The inner critic that silently whispers to you at 3am - “am I even good enough to do this?” And then there’s the money stuff. Will you live the rest of your life wondering what could have been if fear hadn’t got in the way? Because that is what all of this really boils down to. Getting comfortable with that 4-letter word that seems to hold so much power over us.

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BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell

THE JOY OF 100%: to join a franchise or go solo?

Do you align with a franchise group or do you go out on your own as a solo independent operator? For me, this decision was a no-brainer, but before you make the life-changing move, consider your options carefully. There are pros and cons on both sides of the fence and this post will explain how I came to make my decision (3 times).

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BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell BUSINESS, CAREER Wendy Russell

SUCCESS IS PERSONAL: the GCI myth

For as long as business has been around, we have been benchmarking our view of success in direct correlation with how much we earn. The more we make, the more successful we are considered. Yes, there is truth in this, but as independent women we must create our own personal reference points for what success means to us. Because success can be anything you want it to be.

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