Ray White Head of Performance and Recognition Bianca Denham sat down with Rebecca Toone, a Chairman’s Elite agent in New Zealand’s real estate sector, and shared insights into her thriving career in Christchurch.
The interview takes place overlooking Pegasus Bay, where homes typically sell for $2-4 million.
Rebecca’s journey into real estate, which began in 2009, is particularly interesting as she was a “late starter,” entering the industry in her early 40s.
Before real estate, Rebecca’s background was in the arts, holding a tertiary education in graphic design and fine art.
Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged early; from age 15 to 19, she worked part-time at a major department store.
This early experience, particularly under her father’s management, instilled in her crucial business principles: working harder than anyone else, understanding a business from the ground up, respecting all team members, and, most importantly, prioritising the customer.
She learned to build rapport, never to be idle, and to maintain a positive attitude—principles that have been foundational to her success in real estate.
The adage, “the customer is always right,” deeply influenced her approach.
Rebecca moved into fashion and retail management, eventually becoming a buyer for United Colors of Benetton.
Her creative inclinations were evident in her pastimes, including painting, illustration, and even creating and selling her own clothing.
Although her demanding real estate career now limits her artistic pursuits, she channels her creativity into renovating houses, a passion that aligns well with her industry.
Rebecca took an eight-year hiatus from her career to be a stay-at-home mother.
During this period, she engaged in “side hustles,” such as selling paintings and working at the Christchurch Women’s Hospital to supplement the family income.
Her return to the workforce was driven by a desire for personal fulfilment and to set a strong example for her children.
She “accidentally fell into real estate,” but quickly recognised how her existing customer service skills and ability to connect with diverse people would be invaluable.
Her early days in real estate involved traditional, hands-on methods like cold calling and door-knocking.
She deliberately chose not to rely on friends and family for initial business, preferring to earn her reputation from scratch.
This approach, she believes, pushed her to work harder and establish a solid foundation based on performance rather than existing relationships.
Her age, she notes, proved an asset, as clients often assumed she had extensive industry experience.
This observation aligns with trends showing that women in their 40s often experience the fastest growth in real estate, attributed to perceived trustworthiness, experience, and strong communication skills.
Today, Rebecca transacts 70 to 80 homes annually and leads a successful team.
Her growth was facilitated by proactive management, who helped her set clear KPIs and quarterly goals, enabling her to scale her business effectively and maintain high service standards.
