Growing your Real Estate Career with Stephanie Anton, President of the Corcoran Affiliate Network

Brokerage Insider

Stephanie Anton: Aw, Johnny, thank you. What an amazing introduction and I'm, I'm so humbled to be your first inter your interviewee.

I think. You know, I love that you're doing this and I love that, that you're doing this in the. The vein of sharing so that other people can learn. And so I'm an open book, as you know, , and it's been such an honor and privilege and fun. Fun. A lot of fun to work with you over the years. So so thank you for including me.

I appreciate

Johnny Pfeiffer: it. Well, thank you Stephanie. And I think I would love for our listeners to know that it is important that the mentors you have and who you align yourselves with are those who truly wanna see your success. And that's what I've always enjoyed about our relationship is that it's always been about everyone else around you and supporting them.

And so in that, I would love if you would kind of share with everyone what is your story, what's your background? Let's help them get to know you a little bit.

Like so many people in this business. But you know, as a result I certainly had no intention of going into real estate. And in fact I, you know, I went to film school for undergrad and I was, you know, planning to go in a theater kind of film background or, or direction and ended up in marketing and then ended up in a marketing job in a real estate company.

And that was my first job in real estate and that was 20 ish years ago, , and I'm not sure how it all happened, but it, you know, it just, it's happened really quickly since then. I think I finally figured out that was, I was in my right spot and looked around and knew that it was home and I've been able to, you know, really have a lot of opportunity to grow from there.

I love

Stephanie Anton: It's, I do have some acting background. It helps for sure. But , But, yeah, but it's, but I, you know, I came up through marketing ultimately, and then just as I learned and grew, I had more opportunities to, I ran a, I ran luxury portfolio, which was a, a global real.

High end real estate marketing program for Leading Re, which is Johnny, where you and I got to know each other. And then a couple years ago left to join Corcoran, which we can talk about more. I

Johnny Pfeiffer: love that. Well, thank you. And just what I would love to know from you is with the real estate industry, we know it provide, the opportunities are limitless.

Are in the business of real estate. Some of the most powerful brokerages in the world were created such as corporate, as you mentioned, and I personally, you being one of them, have enjoyed a successful career from the support of female leaders in the industry. And so do you believe that this is accidental?

Mm-hmm. . So I would just love to hear from you, why do you believe that this industry helps create some of the most successful women in the

Stephanie Anton: world? What is. Yeah, it's so interesting because, you know It's funny in a lot of ways. If you, if you stand back and you look at real estate, you know that real estate is, it's a lot of women.

So you know, it's not what you would think because you think, oh, it's, it's really an industry that's served by women and, and run by men. And, you know, today it's, it's something like 25% of broker owners are women. So yeah, it's, but if you, It's weird and it's changing and it's changing quickly, but you know, for me, coming up through marketing and in real estate, I've worked along these, alongside these great women.

But I've always reported to men. There's nothing wrong with it, but there, for some reason, women have historically not kind of put their hat in the ring or taken risks or been encouraged to become leaders. And so in the last few years, I think our industry has really begun to recognize and create sort of safe spaces for women.

But that's a little bit of a different area for me. And it it, it is run, it's a company that was run, you know, it was started by Barbara Co back in the seventies. And and really she has created a foundation of, of a very safe space for women can to be really successful. So real estate's unique in that way for.

I

Johnny Pfeiffer: love that answer and that response. Thank you. And what the, the women up that you mentioned there, is that a group focused on just real estate professionals?

Stephanie Anton: It is. So it's Cal, California Association of Realtors created this group called Women Up, and it's not just for agents in Cal. For, it's for agents anywhere.

And so I've been, had the opportunity to speak and attend their, their conferences and they do well, the pre pandemic, they did one big event or two big events a year. And anyone can join. If you just look it up, I, I'm sure you just Google them up, you can find it. But it's a, it's just a very cool way for.

Johnny Pfeiffer: that's absolutely incredible and you bring up something that's, I think, important when you say they don't raise their hand.

We have an industry that if you look at is dominat. By powerful women who are extremely, incredibly successful, but they don't necessarily control it. Right, Exactly. And yes. And so this next generation has an opportunity to change the industry. As a whole. And what advice would you have for young female professionals or all people?

As we said in the beginning, you support everyone and you want everyone around you to be successful. So no matter who you are, what advice do you have for these young professionals entering into this industry? And if they wanna follow on a path like yours, that's ultimate

Johnny Pfeiffer: Yes, yes, yes. But, and it's

Stephanie Anton: important to say that, like, there's one men that go to these events too, but I think that, you know, we, like with Corcoran for example, 70% of our affiliates are owned by women. And that's just happening naturally, I think, because we're creating an environment where you know, it's, it's.

I think opened and friendly. And so I think, but in terms of advice, I, I think, you know, taking advantage of every chance you get to learn is so, so important. And it's funny because I think, you know, when, when you're given a stretch opportunity, I think sometimes it, it's okay for it to just be about the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

And that just is something that can be personally rewarding for them professionally. It will be rewarding for them in the long run. And you know, not like saying, Oh, well I'll do that, but how much more are you gonna pay me? Like that's just such a shortsighted way to approach it, you know, when. Started working for the company that I'm working for now.

I was initially invited to To run market growth and marketing for Corcoran, but they also let me do a second job and I say, Let me on purpose. Which was running international service for all of the other brands. And so that's cold banker Century 21 era, Better Homes and Gardens, and then also running branding for Corcoran and growth for Corcoran.

And you know, I realized recently, like I've, I've sat on the, the CMO council, the COO council, the International council. I've run sales, I've run service, and you. When you're passionate about what you do, the money's gonna come. So, So being, being able to see the forest through the trees is, I think, incredibly important.

Johnny Pfeiffer: it, and very profound. Because what's interesting is one of my favorite books that Jim Long gave me years ago, the President of Sniper Smith and Frampton was the gogi. And though never thought by Bob Berg, incredible read. For anyone listening who has not read The Go Giver, it's an amazing book and it's a small book, but you embody that.

It's about doing something for everyone else. And good things will come to you,

Stephanie Anton: Johnny. You nailed it. We actually give that out. That's Oh, do you?

Johnny Pfeiffer: Yes. . Oh, I love that. Hey everyone. This is not rehearsed. This is accidental .

Stephanie Anton: Yeah, a hundred percent. Yeah. I mean, Ninja two, we could do that for like an hour also,

Johnny Pfeiffer: but Yeah.

Yeah, and I, I think if we all, especially those getting into the business, yes, you can absolutely make a lot of money. It can be very lucrative and you can live a very nice lifestyle in real estate. But there are so many opportunities for this business to help communi. To be a part of charitable givings to help those, like we were talking about earlier, move up into positions that may have not previously had opportunity to do so.

What do you love about it?

Stephanie Anton: Yeah, I love the people and I have to tell you the truth. Like real estate people are people, people. And so two funny things about that, like I have whenever. I have new employees who join my team and like inevitably will go to an event that we're hosting or something and they'll come to me like the next day and be like, Oh my God, everyone's so nice.

And I think at the end of the day, when you're helping people find the home that will match their heart, right, , because that's really what we're doing. It's so much bigger than just shelter. It's it, it attracts a very special breed of people. Oh,

Johnny Pfeiffer: I love that because you are selling people potentially the most expensive investment they'll ever make, and they're living their life and potentially raising their families in them.

It goes way beyond, as you said, shelter in a roof over your head. It's hundred percent. Yeah. Very personal. And what I love about what you just segued into was real estate is all about relationships. That's the whole point. Of being a real estate agent is being good at relationships. And so you're right.

When you go to a real estate convention, you meet a lot of cool people who are fun and easy to talk to because it's their job . So,

Johnny Pfeiffer: You don't, you don't get to sit in the corner and be a wallflower. That's exactly. Well tell our listeners, tell us about why Corcoran. What is it about? I have such respect for Barbara herself and her reputation and history. I've read all about her and I know a lot about your company and your business model, and I'm a big fan, and you know that.

Yeah. Tell us, if people are listening and they're considering joining real estate, why would they want to explore a career with Corcoran? And if they do, how do they do it? Yeah.

Stephanie Anton: Thanks. Thanks Jonie. That's a nice, nice softball for me, . Cause it's easy for me to talk about it because it's a very special brand and I sort of, I, I sort of liken it.

And the, our, our current CEO is woman named Pam Leman. And Pam has been leading the business for almost 40 years now. She, she laughs far longer than Barbara was ever there. And. Pam is she's just a really great leader and she's really helped develop this brand that has a very specific and clear and differentiated voice.

So if, if your listeners are not familiar with it, you know, Corcoran is, it's out of Manhattan. And then expanded to the Hamptons and Palm Beach and Miami and really has always been a very sort of smart and witty and sophisticated brand. I think. Confident enough to be who we are, but to know who we're not and be totally okay with that.

You know, the, the tagline for the brand is Live Who You Are. And , you know, it sort of says it all right? Like, it's a brand that stands for inclusivity, not exclusivity. And we have, and it helps a

Johnny Pfeiffer: lot of emotion from someone.

And it, it feels to me a little bit like the world. Kind of caught up to Corcoran, so

Johnny Pfeiffer: Oh, well I love that the world's caught up to Corcoran is awesome.

Stephanie Anton: Yeah, so I mean, check us out on Instagram. I think that's a really great way, You know, we're, we're only in 45 markets right now, but we're really going, growing really, really quickly and so lots of great resources that, you know, Art corcoran.com is a great way to learn more.

Johnny Pfeiffer: Well, thank you. And Stephanie, before we wrap up, any parting words on where you think we're headed in the market right now? Is your crystal ball working today, ?

Stephanie Anton: Well I don't have a crystal ball, but you know, I think it's gonna be a tough year. You know, I think we're seeing. A correction that's harder and faster than we expected it would be.

And th this kind of opportunity gives us all an opportunity to be stronger together. So, You know, I think we, none of us should be afraid to face the unknown , and you know, there's a saying that growth happens when comfort ends. So this will be a really nice opportunity for growth in the coming year.

Johnny Pfeiffer: Well, and then you have the agents listening to this.

When you have the affiliation like a Corcoran and that powerful of a company with the right processes and support in place, you will get through this 100%. You will come out the other side stronger and have more growth and see a bigger career than you had before. So I think that's a beautiful sentiment.

Stephanie Anton: Oh, a pleasure, Johnny. Thank you for having me. I loved it Every second. Well,

Johnny Pfeiffer: thank you so much and everyone, thank you so much for listening and stay tuned for the next Brokerage Insider and we'll bring you more exciting real estate industry news. Have a great day, everyone. Bye.