At the top of their game, the ladies at Black Group Realty (BGR) are driven to achieve results for their clients.
There is no point doing this by halves, says their lady boss Heather Walton who leads by example. She walked into real estate 10 years ago as a single mum, and climbed to the top of Ray White in 2016, when she was crowned the Supreme Salesperson in the country that year. Heather has now turned her focus to business ownership and mentoring her relatively young company, growing it to a top 5 branch in New Zealand.
“I’m so proud of this,” says Heather, “especially because it’s very much a family business with my hugely supportive husband Mark Bycroft.
Our values are based on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.
“We don’t run a ‘bums on seat operation’ at Black Group. Every agent is invited in as a member of our family. And together with Ella and Jeff, both members of our four strong management team, we spread our strengths and skills to support our team with legal knowledge, auctioneering expertise, compliance, business growth and digital strategies plus other skills held by the management team.
“We’re a relatively small office but we pack a punch. To be in the top five businesses in New Zealand within the Ray White Group, is an amazing achievement in a short space of time. But our team are under no illusion who pays them and who we work for: our homeowners.
“I started this company because I had learned from other offices I had worked in, how not to run a business. Our values are based on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Our team works together, supports one another and are genuinely happy about each other’s success.
“Our ladies are committed to building relationships which makes the difference, especially to the price achieved on a home.”
Jo Eddington single mum and business owner for many years herself secured her first list and sell within such a short space of time and the clients were blown away at her commitment and determination for a result, with Jo listing and selling their homes within 48 hours.
Another outstanding woman, once the REINZ and Ray White corporate trainer, Ella Kiliuyi has four children and an elderly dad who she supports, yet she absolutely adores her job and the team she helps support.
Her focus is now on teaching the Black Group team about the latest and greatest digital strategies to reach buyers far and wide, not just finding a buyer for their client’s property, but the best buyer.
In Central Auckland and particularly Epsom BGR’s Chinese team ― Lindy (Elite salesperson), Hannah, Queenie and Rae, all mums ― offers Chinese clients comfort to purchase property in New Zealand knowing they are safe and being told the truth. Na Na, also a member of the Chinese team, is extremely connected to the Chinese community.
The highly respected Cheryl Whiting has been selling and living in homes in Parnell forever. Her beautiful granddaughter Holly Cassidy is a BGR foundation member who is learning and growing with the team.
We’re a relatively small office but we pack a punch.”
Darnell Adams ― DJ Queen, social media extraordinaire, is fast making her way to the top. One of her closest friends, who also works in the team is Gilly Mirken, one of the kindest people you will meet.
Jane Horgan, a stunner inside and out, is one of the top salespeople in the company and New Zealand-wide. With four children, she is a consistent Elite performer.
Simron Singh, an experienced agent, works part time in Elite Team Ken Choong where she too juggles being a mum and an effective support.
Susanne Thomas has risen to be one of the top agents within her first year in real estate. She has taken her last role and translated those skills into her real estate business for consistent customer satisfaction results.
Ruoxi is also a new recruit who has teamed up with her LLB husband. She is the new generation agent dedicated to digital and IT related real estate, finding both her vendors and buyers to achieve unbelievable auction clearance results.
Finally, the fun and fabulous admin girls. Tracey, Heather’s PA who also works for Ross Hawkins, has a huge amount on her plate. Plus, Jules, support for the other top in the office Elite team. These girls are the backbone of BGR.
The office is more like a house than an office. In fact, soon they’re moving into a big, old character home where most high level decisions will be made over a glass of wine, cup of coffee or homemade soup, prepared by the BGR kitchen.
“So here’s to the lovely ladies at the heart of BGR and everything they do to make our company the success it is today.”
