Their stories, alongside a growing trend of second-career professionals and celebrities entering real estate, highlight the diverse pathways leading to this dynamic field.
Romany Brooks: building connections, one client at a time
Romany Brooks always dreamed of working in real estate.
After selling her business and taking some time off, she finally decided to pursue that dream during a family conversation over Christmas.
“I had always been attracted to the pace and excitement associated with real estate,” she says.
“A month later, I was fortunate enough to land a position … my journey began.”
While Romany brought strong people skills to the role, she quickly learned the industry was more complex than she initially thought.
“I entered thinking, ‘How hard could it be?’ but I was quickly humbled. It takes time and dedication to establish rapport with clients and colleagues and to become a trusted advisor. After all, you’re dealing with people’s largest assets.”
Romany’s natural flair for building relationships has been a cornerstone of her success in real estate.
Describing her approach, she explains, “People skills are everything in this industry. Networking and building trust have always been second nature to me, and that’s been a huge advantage.”
The journey into real estate wasn’t without its challenges though. Her first two roles in the industry didn’t work out, leading her to question if she was the problem after years of being self-employed.
Early in her career, she also faced moments of frustration: “I remember letterbox dropping for days and making endless phone calls with little to no response. It was disheartening.”
“It forced me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture,” she explains.
Finding the right fit with the right company proved to be a turning point and she is now thriving as a sales agent at BresicWhitney-Inner East.
After a few early speed bumps, what Romany loves most about real estate is the freedom it offers; both financially and professionally.
“The capacity to chase my own salary is incredibly motivating,” she says.
Beyond the income potential, she finds joy in connecting people to their dream homes and helping them create their ideal lifestyles.
“I’ve always loved helping people, and this industry demands a genuine desire to assist.”
For those considering a career switch into real estate, Romany’s advice is clear: “Be prepared for the grind … it’s not easy, and success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes perseverance and a thick skin, but it’s worth it.”
Her turning point came when she stopped relying on rigid scripts and started being herself. “I realised people buy your energy,” she explains. “Once I embraced that, everything changed.”
Ryan Trama: from teaching to top sales agent
For Ryan Trama, a decade-long teaching career laid the groundwork for his success in real estate.
His time as a primary school teacher in Queensland, including a significant tenure in the Indigenous community of Aurukun, taught him the importance of building trust and strong relationships.
“Both teaching and real estate rely on positive relationships to ensure the best outcomes,” he explains.
“I’ve been able to transfer a decade’s worth of skills into this industry seamlessly.”
Ryan reflects fondly on his time in Aurukun. “I taught a lot of really smart kids, who were awesome individuals,” he says.
“They faced more challenges than privileged students, but their hard work and perseverance were inspiring. It reaffirmed my belief that people can overcome anything with determination.”
By the end of 2021, Ryan sought a new challenge and was drawn to real estate by his mother-in-law, Meagan Read, a prominent agent.
“She gave me my start at her agency,” he says.
After eight months, he joined Ray White Marsden, where he found opportunities for growth and mentorship under Avi Khan.
“I could see Avi offered a lot more in terms of training and support, and I wanted to learn from the best.”
Ryan’s approach to real estate is defined by immediacy and authenticity. “Immediacy is our currency in real estate,” he says.
“If I got a lead, I’d call them within 10 seconds. I treated every opportunity like it might be my last one.”
This dedication paid off, with Ryan achieving $460,000 in Gross Commission Income (GCI) in his first year and nearly doubling it to $900,000 in his second.
Now in his third year, he leads a team of three sales associates and is on track to surpass his previous results.
For Ryan, honesty is at the heart of his success. “I’ve lost listings because I’ve given accurate appraisals,” he admits.
“But I believe in clear, honest communication. When I’m face-to-face with someone, I win the listing 75% of the time. People appreciate transparency.”
Ryan’s commitment to his community is equally important. He sponsors local schools and sports clubs, aiming to give back in meaningful ways.
“Real estate can be a bit of a selfish industry at times, but I wanted to contribute to my community,” he says.
“It’s about building relationships that go beyond transactions.”
Lessons from other careers
For both Romany and Ryan’s stories mirror a broader trend of professionals entering real estate as a second career.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 95% of agents in the U.S. had previous careers, with backgrounds ranging from education to business management.
In Australia, the industry has noted similar patterns, with career changers bringing valuable skills to the field.
Celebrities turned real estate agents
The appeal of real estate extends beyond professionals like Romany and Ryan. Celebrities, too, have found success in the industry:
- Chrishell Stause: Known for Selling Sunset, she transitioned from acting to real estate.
- Kendra Wilkinson: The former Girls Next Door star turned to real estate to rebuild her life and support her children.
- Samantha Mathis: The Pump Up the Volume actress now sells high-end properties.
- Bruce Samazan: A former star of Neighbours, he now works as an agent in Wollongong.
- Lachlan Daddo: Former Getaway presenter is a sales agent with Di Jones in Sydney.
