We were lucky to catch up with Joana Zuppas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Joana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I decided to leave my comfy corporate job at Xerox for real estate, everyone thought I was crazy! I had worked in corporate America for over 10 years, most of them in New York City, and was living the epitome of a “successful” life. The only problem was I felt very unfulfilled and desperate for a change. When I started telling my family and friends that I was going to quit my job to plunge into real estate, they gave me EVERY reason why I shouldn’t. Why would you give up the guaranteed paychecks, the guaranteed benefits, the “stability and security”?

Well, I gave it up because my soul was screaming!! I have a theory that everyone’s soul speaks to them. At first it is a hunch, which we typically decide to ignore. If we ignore the hunch, it eventually persists as a whisper. When we ignore the whisper, our soul tries harder to get our attention, so we start feeling a persistent nudge. If we still don’t have the courage to move, then one day you wake up after years of ignoring your soul’s deepest desires and it SCREAMS at you. I believe at that point we have two choices. We can ignore our suffering to fit into what we believe life should look like for us, or we can jump out of our own suffering into the unknown. Clearly, I decided to jump into the unknown and it was the right decision for me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I help clients in the Central Florida area buy a home, sell a home, or invest in real estate. This includes new construction, as well as resale of homes. I like to be a trusted partner in my client’s home buying or selling experience. This means I will communicate effectively throughout the process. My motto for any partnership is a win-win situation, in which honesty is the foundation. I want all my clients to feel that they received world class service and exceptional results.

My real estate story started when I bought my own house. That whole adventure was the catalyst that prompted me to consider a career change. I had moved back to Orlando, after living and working in New York City for 6 years, to be closer to my family. I wanted to buy a home, but I did not know of any good realtors because I had no one to ask to give me a good reference. As a result, I went online and picked the first real estate agent that showed me a home. Needless to say, it was a HORRIBLE experience. I was so upset by the end of the whole situation that I told myself, “No one should ever have to experience that!”

I immediately started studying for my real estate exam, and in 6 months I got my license. Looking back, I am very thankful for that real estate agent because she helped me discover my passion! I went from a job that I hated, to a job that I love! Having that experience now allows me to understand and empathize with my clients. My intention is to always support my clients fully from beginning to end, and to be their champion throughout the whole process. Helping someone find their dream home can be a very stressful and intimidating time for them, which means that my clients lean heavily on my expertise. A relationship based on trust is a must! Having that understanding is what clients tell me sets me apart from other realtors they have met.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One of the most influential books I read at the beginning of my career was “Breaking the Habit Of Being Yourself” by Dr. Joe Dispenza. When I started my own business, I had to tap into my “creator” potential, meaning I couldn’t rely on being fed new business, I actually had to attain it. This is an amazingly different skill set. I was learning the difference of how to be a hunter versus a gatherer. I could no longer enjoy the fruits of someone else feeding me, I had to learn how to feed myself . All of a sudden I was 100% responsible for my actions and therefore the results that came from those actions. This book helped me understand how my limited beliefs created my reality. It provided an explanation on how and why my habits were sabotaging me and then provided tools that helped me create new habits through meditation. Meditation is actually the foundation of my life and my business. Without it, I would be constantly slamming into my own limitations without knowing how to change and transform them so that I could grow. Being aware of habits that actually benefit me instead of hurting me is part of my own on-going internal work. As I grow and expand, so does my business.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Most of my business comes from word of mouth and referrals. I take great pride in that I do not rely on marketing companies to sell me leads. It is my opinion that buying leads will not create a solid foundation of reliable clients and it eats away into my profit margins, therefore, I really rely on past clients to refer me to their family and friends.

Additionally, I farm my own neighborhood, meaning that I advertise and engage in the community that I live in. I have received a lot of business becoming the Neighborhood Expert. My neighbors refer me to their family and friends on both the buying and selling side, which has worked out really well for me.

Lastly, I receive the ultimate compliment and satisfaction when clients come to me jaded by a past real estate experience (where they most likely fired their previous real estate agent, and were later referred to me), and by the end of our process together, they become my raving fan!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @joanazuppas
• Facebook: @joanazuppasrealestate
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/joana-zuppas-9bb81013

Image Credits
Image credit by Xhildiana Photography