Involvement in the local community has always been a focus of Terry Hansen, Managing Director and Principal at Professionals Outer Western Sydney. While it’s not unusual to find a real estate agent who sponsors a local soccer team, there aren’t as many who lace up the boots themselves. That’s exactly what Terry does with the St Mary’s Band Club Rangers Football Club.
“It’s fun to watch a 58-year-old bloke run laps. But we always give back where we can, whether it’s the local bowling club or the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which the Professionals Group has been supporting for sixteen years, to the tune of $3.5 million and counting.”
Charity begins at home
Terry’s first priority has always been his staff. With around thirty employees on the books, he does not take the responsibility lightly.
“My biggest obligation is ensuring that everyone who works with me gets their paycheque every week. They’re relying on me to assist with putting a roof over their heads and food on the table, even when times are tough.”
That loyalty has been returned, and it is the norm for an employee’s tenure at Professionals Outer Western Sydney to continue for a decade or longer.
“I’ve got three team members that have been with me for about twenty years and more, another six for over ten. I’ve always stressed to my team, this can be a seven days a week business, whether we want it to or not. From the customer’s perspective, that’s what they’ve come to expect. But we work together and assist one another to make sure we all get our well-deserved time off.”
First market boom? Hold off on the Maserati
A red-hot market isn’t giving Terry much time off right now, but he’s seen the highs and lows of real estate in his 35-year career. And his advice to anyone starting their own real estate business?
“Even if you’re making good coin, don’t feel as if you have to spend it.”
“I’ve seen it many times over the years. When things are good and agents are making good money, they get led into a false sense of security that this sort of money is going to continue, day in and day out, for the rest of their career. They start making commitments based on that income, but no one knows what the market will be like in years to come. You don’t want to be driving around in a fancy car you can’t afford, struggling to pay everyone’s wages.”
Turning to the experts
Terry’s team know they can discuss just about anything with him, whether about business or family. While he’s comfortable giving direction and advice on a range of topics, superannuation isn’t necessarily one of them.
“I’m not a master of super, but REI Super are on hand to help there. I can organise an education session for my staff to answer their questions, even though they aren’t all members of the fund. It’s a worthwhile service, and each person can make their choice from there.”
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