When Stefanie Dobro launched White House Property Partners in 2019, she didn’t plan a press release, a launch party, or a glossy PR campaign.
Instead, she opened the doors with a quiet confidence, a white dress (more on that later), and a deeply personal vision for what real estate could look like when values—not volume—led the way.
This month, White House hit $1 billion in local property sales. It’s a milestone that might prompt champagne corks and LinkedIn fanfare at many agencies, but Stefanie hesitated before even telling anyone.
“I don’t want to be going, ‘Look at me, I’m so amazing’,” she says.
“The reason I want to share this is I want people to know you don’t have to adopt that traditional, alpha-male, ego-driven approach.
“You can come from a feminine energy and still be a kick-ass negotiator and get incredible results.”
Based in Western Australia, White House Property Partners now employs six sales agents, two associates and a growing property management team.
The agency is instantly recognisable, its name and branding a nod to Stefanie’s love of white weatherboard homes, her political science background, and a fondness for light-filled spaces that felt open and welcoming, not corporate or clinical.
But while the brand might be strong, it’s the culture behind it that has built a loyal client base and a close-knit team.
“I’ve always wanted this to be a values-driven business,” she says.
“When I set it up, it was very authentic to who I am as a leader and the standards I have for myself and the team.”
That authenticity is not just a buzzword, it’s the filter for every decision she makes. Recruitment, she explains, isn’t a numbers game; it’s about alignment.
“I really only want to bring on people who share those values and standards and are committed to delivering those with that client-first approach.”
Where other agencies measure success in rapid expansion and headcount, Stefanie has taken the opposite approach: slow, intentional growth.
In her first year, she didn’t recruit anyone. When she finally brought on her first agent, it was because the timing—and the person—felt right.
“I think a lot of agencies are just about growth. They want more and more people because they see that as success,” she says.
“But I wanted to create an attraction business. If you’re authentic, your people will find you.”
This strategic selectiveness hasn’t limited the business; if anything, it’s elevated it.
Team members are supported with regular one-on-one business development sessions, which Stefanie says are central to the way she leads.
“I don’t call them accountability meetings,” she says.
“We sit down every fortnight and talk about how things are going, at work and at home. We look at numbers, we identify what support they need from me, and we keep things human.”
That “no drama” policy is part of a wider ethos that prioritises emotional safety and clear communication. The team isn’t referred to as a family, “not everyone likes their family,” she quips, but as a team with shared goals and mutual respect.
Before launching White House, Stefanie spent nine and a half years at another local agency where she was a minor shareholder.
Leaving wasn’t easy. It meant starting again. But a string of uncanny moments – the perfect white building becoming available, a serendipitous meeting with a logo designer client, and a white dress waiting in her closet, helped her trust her instincts.
“I think the universe was sending me signs. You’ve got to pay attention to those.”
That first open home in 2019 – done in that now-iconic white dress – was the beginning of something she hadn’t dared imagine.
“I was really scared,” she admits.
“Everybody’s watching when you go out on your own. Some people want you to succeed. Others don’t. But I put on the dress, walked into that first home open, and it just felt right.”
Leadership with empathy, not ego
Stafanie’s leadership style isn’t about authority or hierarchy. It’s grounded in empathy, deep listening, and mutual growth.
When team members consider other opportunities, she encourages open dialogue—often helping them weigh up what’s best for them, even if it means they leave.
“My approach has always been about what’s best for you. That’s how I work with clients, and that’s how I work with my team,” she says. “Being a trusted advisor works just as well internally as it does externally.”
She also rejects traditional top-down leadership language. There are no “KPIs” thrown around or aggressive targets. Instead, it’s about connection and consistency.
“If things aren’t going well in your personal life, it’s going to show up at work. So we talk about that. Leadership means being tuned in, not just showing up to talk numbers.”
Advice for the next generation
Now five and a half years into running her own business, Stefanie has built a sustainable, respected agency that continues to grow on its own terms.
She’s careful not to position herself as a guru, but she does want to encourage other women, and other quiet achievers, to know that there is another way to succeed.
“I want women to know that they can do this. That they can lead a business without compromising who they are. You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to make a big impact.”
Her advice for those thinking of launching a boutique brand? Be honest about your ‘why’. Build slowly.
Watch your cash flow. Surround yourself with people who balance your skillset. And above all, be yourself.
“If you’re authentic, the right clients and the right team members will find you. There’s enough business out there for everyone who wants to do the work.”
