Leading real estate business owner Kathy Sweeney has introduced a Business Development Manager role this year with longer-term thoughts than driving growth.
Already recognised for her unequivocal focus on the team environment, Kathy saw ‘BDM’ not as an individual role but a full program, specifically designed for her business.
“I wanted to explore what a BDM program might achieve for my business beyond driving growth and expanding business opportunities, and I was thinking long term about a sustainable program that included a customer obsession focus on client experience,” Kathy said.
Pragmatically, the new role’s top functions were to:
- Lead the growth of new business in the property management space.
- Be always inventing – bringing fresh ideas, testing new approaches, and embracing change.
- Deliver exceptional client experience from first conversation to long-term relationship and retention.
- Establish systems and feedback loops to continually improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Identify and nurture high-value partnerships and referral networks.
In addition, the manager would build a team around them, initially aiming for two BDM associates.
“When the BDM program is in full swing, there will certainly be expectations of the team – that’s important for consistency and accountability,” Kathy said.
“However, this initiative is not about rigid staff KPIs.
“It’s much more focused on the client experience, and the goal is to build genuine relationships, deliver real value, and create a seamless journey for every client.
“Success will be measured by how well we serve and retain clients, not just by ticking boxes.”
When REMAX Australia Managing Director Joel Davoren announced Kathy as the 2025 recipient of the Eagle Award in February this year, he described her as a person with exceptional skills and personal accountability, strong business and financial acumen, who demonstrated respect and consideration, support and loyalty to her team, clients, peers and corporate team that was beyond question.
Kathy holds a Queensland real estate licence issued in January 2015, became business owner and principal of REMAX Living north of Brisbane in July 2016, and added auctioneer to her qualifications in March 2021, but the path to being such an esteemed award recipient is far more interesting.
Earlier in her working life, Kathy was a contractor in business operations, where she would be engaged to go into small businesses to improve their financial and human resources status.
The majority of her career choices saw her in senior management in the sporting industry, and she was an international Touch Football referee for many years.
She is still the major sponsor of the Caboolture Touch Association in her local region.
At the same time, she managed a boutique hair salon, a high-end business in New Farm.
Kathy describes this with a smile as “a business venture that popped in my lap, so I did it more as a side hustle than anything.”
Asked whether owning a real estate office was a ‘light bulb moment’ or more of a ‘slow smouldering passion’, she said,
“I wasn’t looking to buy a real estate business, but I was working in the office and the owner was insistent that I took it on, so I accepted the challenge, and the rest is history,” she said.
“After an extremely difficult first year and a very steep learning curve – I didn’t even know what a property management department entailed – the business turned a corner, began to go from strength to strength, and has never looked back.”
Kathy said her gratification comes through seeing other people achieve at all levels, big and small, through her support and intervention.
“Developing the Asset Building Club concept is one example,” she said.
“It’s like an extension of the coaching and mentoring I’ve done in the sporting arena over many years, and it is incredibly rewarding to work with young people in assisting them to buy property and create a sound financial future for themselves and their families.”
The ever-tenacious Kathy has a greater focus on continually improving the team environment than of awards as an outcome.
Her Asset Building Club is now in its seventh year.
She is increasingly sought out as an industry speaker.
“Making a difference has been a general theme throughout my life, for the people around me, and the industries and communities I’m part of,” she said.
“Two things people quickly realise about me: One is that I get a buzz out of seeing somebody else’s success and happiness; and two is that I don’t ever give up, it’s just not an option for me.
“For instance, we bought a hoverboard for the grandson.
“The instructions were poor. Parts were missing.
“Everyone else threw up their hands and walked away.
“Not “me. I couldn’t do that… There may have been some improvisation, but I resolved it in the end.
“When I wanted to open a second office in Woodford, I bought a lovely 1950s cottage at auction in December 2024.
“Unfortunately, its location didn’t have business zoning, but I didn’t let that stop me.
“I put my case to Council, got approval and opened in August last year after a sympathetic makeover.”
In addition, Kathy dealt with an unsightly shed by engaging a free-hand mural artist.
The result is a popular backdrop for photos and a community icon in the arty country town.
“In life and in business, you may have to change your course, but you will get there,” she said.
Kathy said that fixing problems, finding solutions, and never giving up is part of what makes a good business owner.
“I think we are fortunate that solving problems relating to shelter, one of life basic needs either for tenants or homeowners, is something we get to do daily.”
Kathy Sweeney is the broker-owner of REMAX Living, with offices in Burpengary and Woodford, Queensland.