A Spotlight on our Remarkable Ladies: Celebrating Jen Taylor's Invaluable Contribution to Hamilton's
Category News
As we celebrate Women's Month in August, we take immense pride in introducing you to one of the remarkable women who not only adds value as an experienced Property Practitioner but also works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Hamilton's runs efficiently and smoothly - Jen Taylor.
Working day in and day out at our Head Office in Johannesburg, Jen works closely with Regan. Jen is a stalwart, forward-facing individual and an example to everyone working with her.
Join us this August as we speak to and celebrate the remarkable women within our company who continue to shatter barriers and redefine success in property sales. Their contributions not only inspire us but also elevate the real estate landscape to new heights.
We often refer to the "boutique experience." What does the phrase mean to you?
Being me, there's never a short answer to anything! I can best explain my understanding of the "boutique experience" by describing my experiences with other property practitioners and agencies as a client. While I've not worked in another real estate agency, I've met my fair share of property practitioners from other agencies.
My experience as their client was underwhelming, to say the least: I did not feel heard or understood, and my requests for anything (house plans, municipal accounts, other options to view) went largely unfulfilled.
The Hamilton's Difference
Here at Hamilton's, clients are placed at the very centre of our business, where they belong. No matter what, our core focus is on matching buyers or tenants with sellers' or landlords' listings to find their next dream home or investment property. One of the cornerstones of our business ethos is discretion. The best way to earn a client's trust is to be trustworthy.
We listen to our clients, and we pay attention to their needs and circumstances, no matter what end of the property spectrum they're on. We pride ourselves on being matchmakers, and nothing gives me a bigger thrill than seeing the look on a buyer's face when they find what they're looking for or on a seller's face when we bring them a solid offer.
For 4 years, I've had the privilege of working side-by-side with Hamilton's owner, Regan Harris, in the Bryanston area. He's taught me everything I know about the property world, and his commitment to our clients is legendary. He's sold many properties repeatedly, a testament to the "boutique experience" our clients enjoy when working with us. Having been a commercial lawyer for years before starting Hamilton's 20 years ago, Regan brings a seasoned legal perspective to our business and interactions, invaluable in many of our deals.
Describes Hamilton's growth throughout the years
When I joined Hamilton's on 19th September 2019 as Regan's PA and Candidate Property Practitioner, it had been a successful agency for many years, with many loyal agents and clients in its stable. Having experienced relatively rapid and sustained growth over the preceding years, there was a need to implement processes and procedures to ensure it maintained its boutique status to clients, property practitioners, and admin staff alike.
My corporate project management, process engineering, and coaching background has proven immensely valuable in helping to implement these necessary changes and ensuring consistency of experience across our various branches with their diverse needs and clientele. It's also helped to bring our property practitioners along on the journey, keeping them aligned with our high-end luxury brand. I look forward to helping the business sustain and build on its growth in the future.
What signature events, sales, or changes would you attribute Hamilton's success as a boutique agency to?
Hamilton's success is not due to events, incentive programs, sales targets, or anything that typifies the estate agency experience in this country. It lies solidly with our commitment to providing the very best experience for all of our clients: sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants alike.
How would you describe the corporate culture of Hamilton's, and how does this play into our ethos as a boutique agency?
Having worked in corporate South Africa for close to three decades before joining Hamilton's, I'm delighted to say there is nothing corporate about our business or our culture. We're a family that works with, supports and encourages each other, and our commission-sharing guidelines encourage and enable this. Occasionally, we have differences of opinion - which family doesn't? - and these are typically resolved with minimal fuss.
Each property practitioner within the Hamilton's family is running their own business, leveraging the brand, and responsible for their success. We have no sales managers or targets to achieve, save for those we set for ourselves. It's incredibly empowering to work in an environment geared towards mutual success.
Unusually for a CEO, Regan is a hugely successful, active property practitioner himself, who is nevertheless always available to us for queries, advice, or troubleshooting. There is no such thing as a "stupid" question, only the one that is not asked, and there are no mistakes, just learning opportunities. This is incredibly refreshing, coming from a corporate background as I do, with the often challenging executives one typically finds and their accompanying egos and approach to business.
Tell us about an exciting experience you had as a Hamilton's Property Practitioner
I have many stories to tell, and one of my favourites is my very first sale to Pearl Thusi (actress, influencer, maker-of-bespoke-gin), who bought a house from me 2 months after I started working at Hamilton's. I had no idea who she was, I just paid attention to what she was looking for and helped her imagine ways to turn the house into her dream home, complete with a "glam room".
I get such a kick from matching people with properties and helping them see the possibilities. I'm no engineer, but I've learned what can and cannot be done and how easy (or not) it might be to bring my clients' dreams to reality.
Contact Jen Taylor if you are looking to sell your home:
Cell: 081 713 7395
Email: jen@hamiltons.co.za
Take a look at Jen's Listings:
https://www.hamiltons.co.za/our-people/jen-taylor/54/
Here's to another twenty years of delivering our promise of The Boutique Experience.
Read our previous article here
Contact one of our offices below; we look forward to hearing from you:
Gauteng: 011 463 0155
Cape Town: 021 418 0328
Garden Route: 044 050 3295
Eastern Cape: 076 927 7787
Winelands: 021 863 0551
Mauritius: +230 5723 0369
Email: reception@hamiltons.co.za
Hamilton's Property Portfolio holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.
Author: Jen Taylor