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    Growing up in Kolkata in India, Sanj was raised in a strict Hindu joint family, the youngest of the 25 member household, and had access to the best education. 

    “I didn't want to go down the path of having an arranged marriage and playing the safe game,” she said.

    “I left my city, bought a scooter in Delhi, and was very independent.

    “I started working at a hotel which was quite scandalous with my upbringing.” 

    Whilst working for the Taj Group in India, Sanj met her now husband and they decided to move to Australia. 

    Arriving in Adelaide on a student visa, Sanj completed a Masters in Business Administration and was sponsored by the Hilton Hotels to stay permanently in Australia. 

    They moved to Brisbane and Cairns before finally settling in Darwin. 

    “I moved into sales once I had my kids because it was more of a home-based business, and for me family was the priority,” Sanj said. 

    “There was a lot of cold calling and my biggest client was Ray White. 

    “You had to build up relationships over the phone and email. 

    “You don't realise how all the parts of your life come together to build something bigger.” 

    Sanjukta Ghosh (right) with Dr Victoria Medvec (left) at Ray White's Every Moment conference in Sydney.

    Sanj and her family moved to Darwin when she was appointed Hilton’s sales manager for the Northern Territory. But then the pandemic hit and hotel business was down. 

    At the age of 46, Sanj decided to change careers and get into real estate. 

    “We bought a house and met some people in real estate and I was flabbergasted by the quality of the service and the knowledge. I thought - if these people are successful then I can do it even better,” she said. 

    “I spent two years working for another brand, but then Ray White Darwin principal Andrew Harding was growing his team and I joined to take over two suburbs which have a very multicultural population.

    “I loved Ray White because of the tech, there is so much data you can’t get it wrong. As long as you do the work and put in the hours it's almost a fool proof system. 

    “I door knocked, I did all the training. The first 12 months was hardest

    “I started off with zero data, I had never sold a house in those two suburbs in three years of real estate. I got one listing on auction, and now in the last year I’ve done 47 sales.” 

    Before Ray White, Sanj had never done an auction, but now it’s her preferred method of sale. 

    “The morning after the auction I asked Andrew what I need to do and he said ‘you’re all done’,” Sanj said.  

    “What an unconditional contract means for you and the seller is that you’re done. You just look after your property until settlement. 

    “When I did my first auction it was nerve wracking, but if you follow the process you will get the result. If I believe in auction 100 per cent then I can convince my clients and get them into it. 

    “With auction I can prospect so much more because I'm not bogged down with building reports and conveyancers, etcetera.” 

    Darwin is a very multicultural city, and, coming from India herself, Sanj said she makes sure that she and her family are part of the community. 

    “My buyers are always from overseas and I think they sometimes feel nervous talking to people. I think people feel more comfortable talking to me as I also come from a multicultural background and I understand,” she said. 

    “I sponsor all the local community associations: Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepalese. I sponsor all the festivals and associations and I always try to attend the events. So I don't just see them at open homes, I see them everywhere. 

    “This is a part of Australia where I can be authentic and showcase my culture with pride. I can wear a sari and people will stop and say ‘wow you look amazing’ instead of staring and wondering why I'm wearing that.” 

    It was her experience working for the Taj Group which taught Sanj her exceptional customer service skills. 

    “In India, there is a saying in Sanskrit which roughly translates to ‘treat your customer and guest as a god’,” she said. 

    “I can’t help but apply that above and beyond level of kindness to my clients. 

    “An open home to me isn’t about just buyers, they are guests you are welcoming to your home. 

    “Even if they don’t buy from me they get a welcome gift and a Ray White candle. I also offer to help with their contract or offer to come with their building inspections.” 

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