This month, we introduce Estelle Smidt and Nicolette Stevens. Both have been with E&V Atlantic Seaboard & City Bowl for 12 years and bring their extensive knowledge and expertise to the company in different roles.
Estelle Smidt
I was born in Cape Town into a family of strong, independent women, and I am proud to say that my daughter is the latest in that formidable line! I worked in banking and in retail for many years and spent two years living and working in Thailand before joining Engel & Völkers. Regarding my role within the company, I am a fully qualified agent, so I work on my own sales and rentals, but I also have overall responsibility for marketing, (print, digital and special events).
Dealing with clients can be a 24/7 job. It is difficult to make every client feel as if they are special, but in this industry every client is important, whether they are renting a small studio or making a large investment purchase. We try to bring that across in our marketing and we hope that all our clients feel seen. I love watching someone’s face light up when we have assisted them in finding their forever home.
I also enjoy solving problems, so it's great when I'm faced with a challenging situation and I am able to turn it around. How do I make an average day into a good one? I try to make my colleagues laugh, (being a bit of a clown!). As a Capetonian born and bred, my favourite area used to be the city, but I now live on, and love, the West Coast. In my precious spare time, I enjoy activities that take my mind off real estate… Yoga, hiking and going to the movies are particular favourites.
If I could have any talent, I would like to be able to sing or play an instrument. I love how music has the power to change the way you feel and it would be amazing to be able to affect people in that way.
Nicolette Stevens
I am from a township in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, close to the airport, called Bishop Lavis. I have one younger brother, but growing up we never felt as if we were just us two, as our many cousins became our siblings as well. I have a 13-year-old son who is now taller than me!
Once I completed my studies in human resource management, I had various different jobs, including in interior design. I joined Engel & Völkers 12 years ago in an administrative role, and that gradually expanded into more of an HR role, which I enjoyed as I love working with people and seeing them grow and evolve. Day to day, I have a few areas of responsibility. As well as being a fully qualified agent and doing my own sales and rentals, I organise and oversee training for agents and monitor their progress towards their own qualifications. I also assist our agent team in various ways. The challenges of the job include managing time properly and keeping a cool head under pressure.
There are many aspects of my job that I enjoy, especially helping new agents who arrive completely inexperienced to becoming fully qualified. Celebrating a sale, spending time with my colleagues and singing a song all help me turn an average day into a good one. In my spare time, I love to head out on the road with my son, and also to travel more extensively (if possible overseas) when time and finances allow. But I love Cape Town… It is not just a location, it is a lifestyle, and I would gladly spend every day working from the beach!