LIFE Women
Geena Court “I like to think outside the square,” says Geena Court, Principal of Court House Realty and Rentals Short Term. It is this proactive mindset that saw Geena establish Rentals Short Term as an Australia-wide accommodation booking agent in 2009. After purchasing a holiday apartment in Palm Cove, Geena realised that the income stream was not particularly favourable to the owners, and she saw an opportunity utlilise her thirty years experience in the real estate industry to diversify. “The idea behind Rentals Short Term is that it’s a win/win for everyone. The tenants pay less than holiday let, the owners don’t lose 50-60% of their income in the process, and we do seven day minimum to three month stays, which means less holiday clients and more corporate, which is a better clientele,” she says.
The 2006 Business Woman of the Year attributes her success to her extensive industry knowledge and listening to her clients. Involved in the design, fit-out and sale of over fifty complexes to date in Cairns, Geena is a visual person and passionate about selling both existing properties and the “dream”, a property that is not yet built but where she can paint a vivid picture of what it will be. Constantly innovating, Geena is preparing to launch a third business concept designed to help another area of the real estate industry. “If I see that I can make a positive difference I try to make it happen,” she says. CL
Court House Realty 07 4051 2300 www.courthouserealty. com.au Rentals Short Term 07 4051 1422 www.rentalsshortterm. com.au
Roslyn Smith “Every day is a new learning opportunity,” says Roslyn Smith, Manager of Affinity Designer Homes. Passionate about the building industry, Roslyn is motivated by her desire to develop homes that best suit the tropical climate and conditions. “I am always saying to clients that the block of land dictates the design of homes, and in North Queensland it is extremely important to get that right,” she says. The basis of her career was formed in high school, where Roslyn changed schools to undertake Industrial Arts as a subject. Working in a predominantly male dominated industry, Roslyn overcomes obstacles by not taking herself too seriously, and she works closely with clients to produce innovative homes that are suited to client’s personality, their land and our climate. “While it can be challenging, it is also very rewarding,” she says. Inspired by seeing other women making their way in the industry,
Roslyn feels that it is important to provide a personalised service. Supported by a team of quality trades people and qualified professional staff, she believes that having a one on one relationship with the clients from initial design concept to handover is vital to success. Speicalising in unique designs for difficult blocks, Roslyn explains that Affinity Designer Homes are set apart from their competition because they are not a volume building company, thus enabling the team to individualise the build for each client. “I really want the owners to enjoy the experience, as this way they can have a home that is tailor made to them and based on their ideas,” she says. CL Affinity Designer Homes Ph: 07 4051 8866 www.affinitydh.com.au
CairnsLife 8 Magazine