“It’s about people first, always,” Hannah begins. For her, success is more than profits, it’s about building a lasting, sustainable team culture where employees thrive and clients receive exceptional service. This ethos is deeply ingrained in her company’s DNA, and it’s why The Property Collective has been able to disrupt the traditional real estate model.
Hannah’s path into real estate wasn’t always clear. In fact, she didn’t even have a roadmap when she stumbled into property management as a 21-year-old. “I was just looking for a job, to be honest,” she says. “I saw an ad in the paper. I liked the logo and thought, why not?” Now at the helm of a growing real estate agency, she’s replaced uncertainty with a vision that’s changing the game.
“I mean, I didn’t get into it with a goal to be leading a team. I got into it as a young kid who needed a job and I thought property management sounded interesting.”
From property manager to director
Hannah’s progression in the industry moved at an impressive pace. After a brief stint in property management, she found her true calling in business development.
“I loved meeting people, doing deals, and seeing the results of our efforts firsthand,” she recalls. Her knack for building relationships and creating growth quickly got her noticed, and soon she was managing teams, overseeing operations, and reshaping the agency’s approach completely.
“When I stepped into the general manager role, the first thing I tackled was redesigning how we operated,” she says. “It was about creating more sustainable processes, not just for the team, but also for the clients. Efficiency and culture became our cornerstones.”
This was where Hannah introduced her groundbreaking “Culture Playbook,” a document that set clear expectations for team behaviour, collaboration, and accountability.
“It wasn’t rocket science, it was about doing the right thing, even when no one was watching,” she says. The result? Dramatically improved team cohesion and retention rates, and clients who felt like they were part of something bigger.
Cultivating a new culture
Hannah’s leadership philosophy is all about creating an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.
“People want to feel heard and understood. That’s half the battle in this industry.” Her cultural revamp transformed not only how her team worked together but also how they approached their clients.
“We saw the difference immediately. Team members who used to feel like cogs in a machine suddenly felt they had ownership in their work and could really contribute.”
While some might see culture-building as a secondary concern in real estate, Hannah views it as central to long-term success. “We’re in a people business. If your team’s not happy, how can you expect your clients to be?”
This approach also extended to reshaping client relationships. The Property Collective prides itself on being a full-service agency, offering not just real estate management but also maintenance, finance, and marketing support.
“We’re trying to build a one-stop shop for our clients. It’s not just about managing properties, it’s about being a trusted advisor for every aspect of their investment.”
Growing pains and wins
The road hasn’t been easy, though. The past year has been one of the toughest in Hannah’s career, as The Property Collective expanded rapidly, which led to what she describes as “growing pains.”
Managing growth, especially during uncertain times like the COVID-19 pandemic, was a challenge, but Hannah remained committed.
“The hardest part was finding the balance between being in the business and working on the business. We were growing so fast, and I needed to take a step back to focus on the big picture,” she reflects.
Despite the hurdles, she believes the company’s success is directly linked to her decision to prioritise team culture and client needs over immediate profits. “We’re not just growing for the sake of it,” she insists. “It’s about smart growth … making sure every move we make benefits our clients and makes the team stronger.”
Hannah also acknowledges that while expanding so quickly was a challenge, it was also a sign that her approach was working.
“We’ve gone from a startup to a company with 45 staff and a presence in multiple locations in just a few years. That wouldn’t have been possible without a strong team and a clear vision.”
The future looks bright
Looking ahead, Hannah has big plans for The Property Collective. “In the next five years, I see us expanding our national footprint, particularly in property management,” she shares.
Her ultimate goal is to offer clients a seamless experience no matter where they’re located in Australia. “If a client has properties in different cities, they should be able to come to us and have one point of contact managing everything. That’s the future we’re building toward.”
But growth isn’t just about size. Hannah is laser-focused on maintaining the culture she’s worked so hard to cultivate.
“We don’t want to lose what makes us special. No matter how big we get, the core of who we are, our values, our approach to people, has to stay intact.”
Her advice for others in the industry? “Talk to people. Whether it’s your team, your clients, or your partners, just have the conversation. Real estate is a relationship game. If you can build strong, meaningful connections, everything else will follow.”
