Deirdre O’Connell, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.Name: Deirdre O’Connell
Title: General Manager
Company Name: Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Years in real estate: 25
Telephone: 516.532.9736
How did you get your start in real estate?
I was working in public relations for a large insurance company in Manhattan and had 2 (of my 5) children at the time. I really wanted more opportunity to manage my own career and impact my own future. I started at a small independent real estate firm owned by my husband’s uncle. Years later, I opened my own company with two offices and in 2007 I sold my firm to Daniel Gale Sotheby’s. As part of the transaction, I achieved some ownership in the company. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International: the company, the brand and the people are the best in the business and being part of the senior leadership team of this incredible firm is not just my passion, but a true honor.
What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?
Realty Alliance, Real Trends, Brain Trust
What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?
We have had interest in purchasing a competitive independent firm with two offices in Nassau County for years, but the owner was not in a position to sell. The agents, on the other hand, fully understood the necessity to associate with a company offering important national and global exposure to their properties, as well as professional training on industry tools. The agents had interviewed with most of the leading firms in the market and were made very competitive offers, but they decided to join Daniel Gale Sotheby’s, without their owner. They embraced our professional, ethical and successful culture and approach to the real estate business. This was a huge win for our company in those markets, but it was NOT an easy accomplishment. It took days of meetings with each agent and presentations to the group as a whole to fully convince them that Daniel Gale was the right company for them. The most interesting part is that while our company was, and is, professionally, culturally and competitively the best fit of this seasoned group of agents, I firmly believe at the end it came down to trust. The 23 agents who came on board trusted the Daniel Gale team to do the right thing for them.
Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why?
I was raised in a very hard working family. My father worked long hours and my mother had a couple of businesses. As a family, we all worked side-by-side for as long as necessary to get the job done. That strong work ethic is an intrinsic part of who I am and how I built my business and successful career.
Many people dream of success and have the intellect to envision and plan a path toward success – but they do not make the sacrifices necessary to execute success. I am extremely fortunate to have been brought up with a clear understanding of and commitment to the power of a strong work ethic.
What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?
I am so blessed to have had many people positively influence who I am, so it is very difficult to pinpoint the “best advice.” My success is a result of the cumulative impact of so many incredible people at different phases of my professional journey. But at this point Pat Petersen is my guiding light and her words of wisdom flow forth daily. The most important advice she continuously shares is –“do the right thing!” I live every day trying to do the right thing, but knowing that I am part of a company whose owner firmly believes and expects her team to do the right thing means–I’m in the right place!
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