TURNING YOUR

Turning Your Profession into a Passion

The old adage goes that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. On the other hand, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day worries and responsibilities of your career, even if you generally enjoy what you do. While there’s no guaranteeing that every day on the job will be a picnic, there are a few steps you can take to vastly improve your morale and transform your profession into a passion. After all, cultivating a passion for what you do will not only add to your quality of life, but will likely make you more successful in the long run.

BUILD YOUR BASE OF KNOWLEDGE Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence breeds success. A sure way to light a fire in your heart for your daily work is to challenge yourself to learn more and expand your understanding of your field. By doing so, you equip yourself for success, create challenges, and find the most inter-

esting features of your work—especially those that most appeal to your interests and talents. Try reading the top five books on the topic of your industry, or subscribe to a podcast where thriving professionals offer their two cents. Either way, learning more about your industry is bound to reveal a source of inspiration worth pursuing.

THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE Sometimes reinvigorating your passion for your work is about looking outward, rather than inward. Gain some perspective and consider who your work helps in the long run. As a real estate professional—whether you work as an agent, broker, in mortgages, home inspections, or otherwise—your work positively impacts someone else’s home-sweet-home. You make a difference. While it may seem like just another day at the office, taking a moment to visualize exactly who you are helping in the world at large is a great way to add some motivational fire to your daily tasks.

CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS Have you ever chatted with someone who was overflowing with energy for what they do? That sort of passion tends to be infectious—often causing us to beg our own questions about professional engagement. By participating in local organizations or networking with those who are active and excelling in your field, you may find that others’ approaches inspire your own. Likewise, what you learn from other successful, passionate people in your field can help you shape your own office and work life, in turn creating more opportunities for you to fall in love with what you do, all over again.

TAKE RISKS One of the biggest hindrances of professional passion is falling into a rut. Routines are familiar and everyday responsibilities vie for our energy. But the next time you tackle a task the way that you always have, take a moment and try to refresh your perspective—is there a more clever or efficient way you could approach this project? Even better: why not take the plunge and do the things you’ve always been meaning to—throw that client appreciation event you’ve put off planning, take the continuing education course you keep forgetting to register for, even try a creative activity that pushes you out of your comfort zone. There’s no better way to inject some passion into your life than by going outside your bubble and taking a risk.

Passion comes from all directions—from your own interior journey and from the world around you. To transform your profession into a passion worth having, invest in yourself and venture into the vast world around you. You’ll surely reap the rewards.

ERICA CUNEEN

When Erica Cuneen was seeking a career change that would provide her with more flexibility and time with her two young children, she turned to real estate. “Right away, I loved it,” Erica says. “I was able to provide a valuable service helping people with their biggest investment. I never thought real estate was something I would do, but it’s been an amazing experience. I get to use my skills as an educator, my negotiation skills, (which feeds my competitive nature), and I have a great time with my clients, who usually become friends.”

After five years in the industry, Erica opened her own company which now includes two teams. With an office in Oak Park and another in Chicago, Erica’s company, Beyond Properties Realty, serves the city and the western suburbs. “We take great care of our clients.” Erica says. “Everyone on the team is great at what they do, which allows for an excellent experience for the client.”

Erica’s clients rave about the attentive service and the focus on relationships. With a high rate of repeat clients and referral business, Erica takes pride in the loyalty she inspires amongst her clientele. “We’re very relationship focused,” Erica says. “I always tell people that once they’re my client, I never let them go.” Clients love the hands-on and comprehensive approach Erica and her team provide. “We’re connected with other like-minded professionals, so our clients see us as a great resource during the buying/selling process and beyond,” Erica says. “We refer fantastic lawyers, lenders, contractors. People like working with us because we can take care of everything they need.”

Ericakeeps in touch with past clients regularly. “Erica says, “I check in on their lives and how I can help. It’s really all about listening to their needs and acting on them.”

To market their listings, Erica’s team pulls out all the stops. Clients love their beautiful photography, interactive floor plans, drone tours, and active social media campaigns. Adaptable and innovative, Erica’s firm provides their clients with broad coverage that lead to competitive offers. “People like the fact that we’re small, local and hands-on. We make our own decisions,” Erica says. “If we need to do something special for a listing, we’ll do it.”

Passionate about people, Erica loves that her work brings her into partnership with diverse and dynamic clients. “Everyone is so different, and there are no two days or transactions that are the same, which is perfect for me. I am always evolving and constantly learning, whether it be from my clients, my team, or the market itself.”

Though her thriving business keeps her busy, Erica dedicates herself to giving back to the community. Her company volunteers regularly at the local food pantry, and they participate actively in philanthropic events to support local organizations. When she is not helping clients, Erica loves the outdoors: canoeing, camping, hiking, and biking. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about trying new things; currently, she is learning how to play the drums, and will try downhill skiing this season.

Looking to the future, Erica has no plans to slow down. “I’d like Beyond Properties to continue to grow, AND I always prefer quality over quantity,” Erica says. “I want my team to grow in a way that is steady, strong, and sustainable. We want to help as many people as we can and continue providing the amazing service our clients deserve.”

To find out more about Erica Cuneen, please call 708.386.1366 or 708.220.2025, email erica@beyondpropertiesrealty.com, or visit www.windycityhomesource.com

RINA DIRISIO

Rina began her real estate career almost by accident while she was attending university in 1989. “I had a few more months before I finished my degree and took the real estate course more out of curiosity than anything else,” recalls Rina.

“I ended up loving it, and I never looked back.”

Now, 32 years later, Rina is among the Top 1% for Royal Lepage in Canada. Her commitment to personalized service, combined with her years of experience and local expertise, truly set her apart when it comes to helping clients achieve their goals.

A seasoned Royal LePage Real Estate Services veteran, Rina’s primary markets are Oakville, and its surrounding communities including Milton, Burlington, and Hamilton. An impressive 70% of Rina’s business comes from repeat and referral clients. “Clients keep coming back because we provide great service and straight facts,” Rina says.

“I always empower my clients with all their options. It’s not about the sale, it’s about making sure they can make an informed decision.”

Staying in touch with clients also bolsters Rina’s referral base and nurtures lasting personal connections. “People know that whatever they need, they can always pick up the phone and ask me,” she explains. She keeps in contact via a monthly newsletter, Christmas cards, calendars, and phone calls every now and then to check in and see how clients are doing. When it comes to marketing listings, Rina uses a combination of techniques designed to gain maximum exposure for her sellers. “We invest heavily in digital marketing,” she says. “We’re way ahead of the game in terms of Matterport virtual tours, drone footage, and video tours.” That’s in addition to marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media, as well as Google ads. Rina also uses print marketing, in the form of extensive colour print brochures, just listed cards, and just sold cards, all of which she targets to her farm areas.

A lifelong Oakville resident, Rina distinguishes herself with her extensive knowledge of the local market. “Product knowledge is everything,” she says, and the proof is in the results.

In addition to being in the Top 1% of Realtors® in Canada, some of the awards Rina has received include the Royal LePage Hall of Fame Award, the Lifetime Chairman’s Club for reaching top 1% of the Royal LePage residential sales force for ten years, and the Lifetime Award of Excellence.

When she is not working, Rina enjoys going out in the city, window shopping, and getting together with friends.

When asked about the future of the business, Rina plans to continue growing the team, while still providing highly personalized service. “We’re a small team, but we do a lot of volume,” Rina says. “I love negotiating for my clients and getting them the best possible deal. I love what I do, and I would like to help people to think of real estate in a new more holistic way.”

To find out more about Rina DiRisio, you can contact her direct at 905-849-3346, or by email at rina@rina.ca. You can also find her online at http://rina.ca