Inspirational stories from across Ray White

RAY White is blessed to have some incredible members with very inspirational stories from all walks of life.

At Connect 2022 on the Gold Coast, Ray White National Director of Special Programs Bianca Denham spoke with high performing agents Heather Walton, Teza Fruzande and Robyn Hoare who say they all look for the positives in life.

The Connect 2022 conference marked the 120-year anniversary of the Ray White Group with record numbers descending on the Gold Coast for the group’s biggest event ever.

Ms Denham said the group was so often humbled by some incredible stories of its members that have overcome enormous hurdles to achieve remarkable success.

“These stories inspire us. They remind us that the most important ingredients to achievement are determination and commitment, and how our industry so wonderfully rewards such effort.

“They make us so proud to be part of the same group.”

All three stories were equally unique and powerfully compelling to challenge everyone to think about what we were capable of achieving.

Ray White Epsom Principal Heather Walton chose to trade her legal career for real estate and she shot to win Ray White (New Zealand) ‘Rookie of the Year’.

Since then, she’s achieved Elite and Chairman’s Elite status each year, consistently finishing in the top 10, and finishing number one for New Zealand in 2016. She’s the business owner of two offices, one of which controls 55 per cent of its market share.

After a brutal divorce many years ago the then single mum decided that she wanted to be happy again.

”I wanted to feel good about myself and most importantly, I wanted to be happy. So happiness for me is family, quality time, health and well-being. I knew the life that I wanted, I knew the life that I deserved for myself and for my little boy,” she said.

Fast forward to today, Ms Walton and her now husband own three offices, three holiday homes and they've achieved their financial goals multiple times over.

“So if you're anything like me, you've had some trauma in your life and let's face it, most of us have to a certain degree, then you've got the chance every single day to change the narrative," she said.

“Don't give up on your dreams. Never forget that you've got to believe to achieve. And one of my favourite sayings is “if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail.”

Ray White Logan City Sales Agent Teza Fruzande arrived in Australia from Iran unable to speak English five years ago.

Now he’s a high performing agent selling more than 200 properties a year - an outstanding achievement.

“I left my home in Iran at 16 years old and went to Indonesia to find a people smuggler. I'm driven by making the most out of my opportunity because I know for the value of the opportunity,” he said.

On arrival by boat in Australia, he was placed in Christmas Island Detention Centre for three months before being transferred to Darwin Detention Centre for a year.

He didn’t not know any English and was eventually granted permanent residency in Australia.

“I've sacrificed a lot by leaving my family back home and not having the experience of being a teenager but I'm very proud of what I have today. I've always said to myself if that person can do it, I can do it too as I have two arms, two legs and a brain.

“Life is full of endless opportunities. We all have choices, and there’s been times where I've tried and not succeeded. If the doors close I try another door and another door opens and I never give up. Thank you to my principal Azhar Omar for giving me an opportunity and supporting me the whole way through.”

Mr Fruzande qualified for Chairman’s Elite in 2021/22 after selling a higher volume of property than many of our individual offices.

As a former professional wrestler in Iran, he says his training contributed to the tools and mental fortitude necessary to build his career.

Meanwhile, Ray White Bulimba Sales Agent Robyn Hoare started her career in real estate at 63 - much later than most.

From a standing start, this mother of seven (and grandmother of 12) overcame enormous challenges to qualify as a Premier performer in her very first year of sales.

Her professional career before real estate included decades in the sales and marketing space, and her large family means she understands the importance of achieving the best possible outcome for her customers’ largest and most valuable asset.

“While dear friends of mine have retired and are taking wonderful trips, I think they're missing out because I've got things people can’t buy. I've got a family that truly honours each other, and I just can't replace that.

“My goals aren't necessarily based on performance but clearly I’m a driven person. I just want to continue to stay authentic and have integrity. And I've always said to my children, that money follows hard work. So don't worry about the money. And I hope that continues.”

Ray White's Connect 2022 Conference was held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre from August 8 to the 9th.