Oakwyn on the Pursuit of Growth and Learning

The pursuit of growth and learning is not just something synonymous with the real estate industry, it is intrinsic to the Oakwyn brand itself. Growth and learning are how we better ourselves and the larger Oakwyn community, and how we continue to better the industry from the inside out.

Oakwyn has several measures in place to support growth and learning for our agents. From Oakwyn University, the Oakwyn Podcast, our blog series, and, more recently, an exciting speaker series, we work hard to make sure our agents have the resources in place to continue leveling up the work they do on a daily basis.

Read on for more information on our learning initiatives and how we are continuing to elevate our standards through education.

In a very special speaker series, we had American real estate broker Ryan Serhant host a webinar to share insights on how to cultivate a personal brand to explode your success.

“Your personal brand starts on Day 1” says Serhant, and it goes the extra mile to cement who you are as a business person, and as a real estate professional. What you are known for is exactly the toolset you will have to build your business.

Whether it be work ethic, reputation, or clientele, those things trickle upwards to the brokerage group you may be a part of. It’s a reflection on who you are, and even who your employer is by extension.

Determining how you want your brand to be perceived, is something Serhant says is all up to you. “I didn’t want to be known for cheap rentals” added Serhant, and so that is precisely what he avoided. To combat his imposter syndrome stemming from a lack of experience, Serhant says he prioritized personal brand and preparation. “I will be the best real estate agent in the world,” Serhant told himself.

“You have the power to create the person you want the world to see,” says Serhant. “You can’t change your circumstances, but you can change your energy.”

As for immediate first steps, Serhant suggests an “Energy Audit” to get a better understanding of how you come across. The first thing to do is to find “someone who will be honest with you about how you come off,” says Serhant. Asking them to “describe me without using my name,” can help obtain a clear idea of what kind of energy you are putting out into the world.

Once you have determined your current energy, it’s important to define what it is you wish to be identified as. Is what you’re putting out currently aligned to your ideal version of how you’re perceived? Discover the core identity you wish to be known for. After your name, and where you might work or what you might do for a living, there will be an “AND” that they use to briefly explain your personality.

“Ask yourself, what is the AND that would be authentic to you? Something that feels natural to you and you’ll never tire of talking about,” said Serhant.

Your personal brand can be built around anything, as long as it is something you can own, define, and feel proud to be represented by. Find what makes you memorable, and lean into it. Take the temperature now, and plan for the future. The greatest key to success is often boiled down to how you are perceived.

“I write down on paper who I want to be in two years because a year from now is too fast, but two years gives me a year to plan and a year to put it into action,” added Serhant. Our future is the only thing we can change, and something we can truly depend upon. “The biggest deal you’ve ever done, you haven’t even done it yet. The biggest client you’ve ever had, you haven’t even met them yet.”

To conclude his inspiring talk, the best advice Serhant shared was to “act like you deserve it”, because eventually, you will feel like you actually do. Because you won’t believe the trickle-down effect that comes from a mindset like that.

For more from Ryan Serhant, find him online, and on social media.

Back for a brand new semester, Oakwyn University is back in session! Our Oakwyn University offers our agents structured foundational learning from the moment they join the brokerage. The 12 segment real estate 101 program is taught bi-weekly by Oakwyn partners and Managing Brokers and was founded the moment Oakwyn opened its doors. The course offers our agents the chance to immediately break away from the pack with functional, practical knowledge of how to truly excel in real estate.

We have also recently piloted Oakwyn Prep School to exist as a precursor to Oakwyn University. This more foundational course is designed to fill in the gaps for brand new agents, providing the building blocks, mentors, and support they’ll need before they enroll in Oakwyn University.

Morgan Browne and Michael Uy launched the Oakwyn podcast in 2020 in response to a number of requests for more conversational and educational discourse around real estate, the lifestyle that comes with it, and tips and tricks for realtors in Vancouver. The two are often joined by guests from the Oakwyn community and beyond and record weekly episodes that provide a valuable resource and easy listening for our community.

Each month we release an educational blog brought to you by one of our Managing Brokers to discuss timely topics in the real estate industry. From covering the recent FINTRAC revised rules to how to navigate multiple offers to unpacking RECBC’s Administrative Penalty Guidelines. The blog series aims to leverage the knowledge, insight, and experience of our Managing Brokers, into accessible and insightful thought pieces that anyone can have access to.

To see more of our efforts in the pursuit of growth and learning, check out our Instagram page where we have premiered a bold new look and feel to usher in real estate’s busiest time of year. As always, if you have any questions about any of our initiatives in place, reach out to us!