Episode 5: Kristy Weik on Gunnedah Property Secrets

Gunnedah Property Insights Podcast

Show Notes [Kristy Weik][Mike Brady]

[00:00:22] -- Mike: Welcome to Gunnedah Property Insights ladies and gentlemen my name is Mike Brady. Today I'm very pleased to have a very professional young lady who I’ve known for quite a number of years – Kristy Weik. Kristy has been involved in the Real Estate industry very much through her own business known as Protography, and her background – that I'm sure she’ll elaborate on – Kristy moved here, into the Tamworth region, the North-West region of New South Wales. Today, I know you specialize in doing some exciting things with video. You were introduced to me through a professional colleague, Mr. Paul Mathews, who’s done some amazing things in the Australian Olympic games. So, welcome Kristy!

[00:01:29]

Kristy: Hi, thanks for having me, Mike.

[00:01:33]

Mike: So, tell me a little bit of your background in your own words.

Kristy: Yeah, so, you basically summed it up. I was is born and raised in New Castle and lived there for most of my life. Moved up here about four years ago now, I think it is, with my husband. He’s actually from Tamworth, originally, born and raised here, and his parents are still here. His a Civil Engineer with Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

[00:02:31]

Mike: What's been the journey in terms of your professional career? You started in real estate, I understand.

Kristy: Yeah, not so much started.

Kristy: I'll be honest, for a long time I really didn't know what I wanted to do. I made a life, I had drive and ambition, but just – I dabbled in a few different things. I went to financial planning for a little while and started a finance degree, did some office admin and accounts and that kind of thing.

Kristy: I guess I was searching for that right fit, that sort of niche that matched me. I was working in real estate and really enjoying it, but came to see that there was a real need for professional photos in the industry. I’ve always had sort of artistic hobbies, and photography’s a bit of a hobby, and so I decided to put my hobby into more [of] a professional thing.

[00:03:44]

Kristy: When I could put my hobby and passion into something where I was able to help the industry and make into a profession, I moved forward and made that happen – coming up to about nine years ago now.

[00:04:02]

Mike: Exactly, it's interesting with – and I’ve spoken about this before – that certainly a mechanic having a mechanic’s ticket doesn’t make them a great mechanic, and an engineer having an engineering degree may not necessarily mean that they’ve got expertise in all facets of engineering, which is very broad.

Mike: So what one does in their skillsets to enable them to do things is certainly relative to each individual’s skills. Certainly, our involvement with you has been a very positive one, because you have adopted a very professional approach to conducting both the photographs.

[00:04:43]

Mike: Of course, it’s very broad now – which leads me to the next section which is basically: what are you doing now, who do you mainly help? Tell me a little about that, because I know there’re some new things happening in your industry with the way technology’s going – can you tell us a little about that?

Kristy: I've been doing video, photos and floor plans – which are very important for a while (but when I say a while, [I mean] a long, long time). But, the big trains that’s happening at the moment is really moving towards video, which I’m really excited about.

Kristy: I’ve been doing it for a number of years now, and people are really starting to embrace it and move forward with it, which is exciting.

[00:05:28]

Kristy: I think everyone is just so busy these days, that anything you can do on your phone or from home is a benefit to them. It really helps homeowners as well, so that people can really get a good view of your home and decide whether they want to come view it or not, and not waste your time. So you know, by the time someone gets to your house, they really are interested.

[00:06:02]

Mike: I know that you and I have talked about the new technology. When first we used the word drone, we were talking about the warfare in the Middle East! Now it’s got very much a commercial application.

Kristy: Absolutely! I'm really excited to say that I’ll be getting my drone. It should be coming through very soon, so that’s another thing I’ll be able to add to my repertoire. I currently do have an elevated pole that goes up about thirteen meters – or something like that – which is useful in some situations, but to have that drone – I’m just going to shoot video footage as well as still photographs. To be able to integrate it into what I’m already doing is going to be fantastic.

[00:07:09]

Mike: I’d like you to as honest as you can, talking about your background because in the other people that I’ve spoken with, up until now my previous guests, it’s been fantastic that people have come from a very dauntless background where people make assumptions.

Mike: Often our background gives us a little bit of a clue about where our drive and where our sense of enterprise comes from that’s led us to where we are. So, what can you tell me about your background, your family, or where grew up?

Kristy: My parents had their own business. They were working in carpentry – that kind of thing – so I’ve always had that entrepreneurial sort of background and instinct. I guess it was a natural progression for me to end up running my own business. Watching and learning some other things; not to do is quite important, as well as things to look out for and do.

[00:09:00]

Kristy: I'm the oldest of five kids to my Mom and Dad. They brought me up in a beautiful Christian home, which is a very important influence on my life. I learned a lot about sharing and compromise and being like that, being in a big family. We really enjoyed having a big family. I went to a Christian school in New Castle and still have a lot of really close friends – a beautiful group of people.

[00:09:39]

Mike: For people that have watched a few other of my podcast interviews – it sounds like there must be a pre-requisite for people that I’ve been interviewing; they must have a family background of at least four children, because I haven’t had anyone – [laugh] and coming from a family of six kids myself, it’s interesting.

[00:09:41]

Mike: It’s interesting that there must be some characteristic that is out there, that if you come from a larger family background, maybe it does teach you skills of how to be diplomatic, how to compromise and how to possibly even be industrious to make sure that you work within a teamwork environment – to be able to pursue your goals and outcomes.

Kristy: Yeah, quite possibly. I think you could be on to something.

[00:10:41]

Mike: Was there an epiphany? Was there a turning moment? Was there something? What’s the hardest, most grueling challenge of your life up until now?

[00:10:54]

Kristy: Oh, this one’s easy.

Kristy: Coming up to eleven years ago, August 2005, I was actually struck down by a fairly nasty form of reactive arthritis. I got it from some nasty chicken, apparently. So, I went from being a fitness freak, gym junkie – trained twice a day and worked at the gym down in New Castle – to being flat on my back and couldn’t walk.

Kristy: They took me to a hospital in a wheelchair, and all the tests, and – yeah. It’s, um, it’s pretty nasty. I basically had to redo my whole life. I can’t do the things I used to.

Kristy: But it’s under control now; it’s managed. But, early on, it was pretty nasty for quite a while at the hospital for few times. I guess it makes you really learn to not take things for granted. Not take your health for granted, because things can change.

[00:12:37]

Kristy: It’s very important to be able to talk to people and let them know how you’re feeling, because for a while, I did have trouble coping. That got me through it.

[00:12:54]

Kristy: The other thing I really learnt is; don't let it stop you. Just don’t let that stop you.

Mike: Well, knowing you as I do, I think you’re a very inspirational and certainly can-do sort of person. For the listeners and the viewers out there watching this podcast, Kristy is a mum of two young children.

[00:13:38]

Mike: Only for a very brief time did it have a pause in your professional ability to continue to attend, and do recordings and photographic sessions of properties. Undoubtedly, having an understanding partner to work together in an environment were you’re able to get things done – and certainly, you bring the kids along as you need to do, and that’s an admirable trait and certainly a good example out there for young moms.

[00:14:34]

Kristy: Yeah, it's not always easy. I did, I think my first shoot back after having Lucky – I think he was about ten days old. He’s my little assistant-in-training.

Kristy: I love what I do and I'm fortunate that I have understanding clients who are happy to fit in with me and my life.

[00:14:58]

Mike: What's the three greatest life lessons – and that’s very interesting that you have been through the adversity of a health manner – and many of the viewers will have been through situations in their lives where – we’ve had to overcome certain challenges. What’s the three greatest life lessons that you can pass on today?

Kristy: Probably like what I said before; don't let it stop you. Do whatever you have to do to get through the situation and keep heading to that goal that you have. The other thing; be open and talk to people. Let them know how you’re feeling. Let them know if you're struggling. Don’t bottle it all up inside, because people want to help.

[00:06:10]

Kristy: And just stay positive, I guess. Try not to let it get you down, and just keep going. Even if it’s a tiny little ray of hope, something positive [is] in it – try and concentrate on that.

[00:16:34]

Mike: How did you get over the pain of moving on?

[00:16:44]

Kristy: Well, like what I said, I think talking to people – whether it be family and friends or a psychologist – which I’m not ashamed to say that I've done at times, when it just all gets a bit much, sometimes you need to speak to someone outside your inner circle to give you a perspective beyond yourself.

Kristy: It’s an ongoing process.

[00:17:22]

Mike: I appreciate your honesty about – in life, sometimes, we do have times when we need to share on a psychological and mental level with getting some assistance in life.

Mike: It's wonderful in the world now where people are more open to talk about it. May I say that we’ve had other guests on the podcast interviews that have shared – in fact, Colleen Fuller is heavily involved with helping with those resources in the country, where a lot of people in the past have been reluctant to reach out for help.

[00:18:34]

Mike: What one piece of advice would you give to someone?

Kristy: Don't stop moving towards your goal. Even if it’s only a tiny, little, one step a day. Just keep moving towards that goal that you have in mind.

[00:19:19]

Mike: If we we're to time travel, if you went back twenty years and met the you that you were, what would be one thing that you would say to yourself?

Kristy: I would probably say; Look – there’s going to be some good times, there’s going to be some bad times, some seriously fun times. There’s going to be some seriously sad times.

Kristy: But you'll get there and it will be worth it. The hard work and the pain will be worth it. Life is good.

[00:19:59]

Mike: Kristy, what is freedom to you? What matters most to you?

Kristy: Definitely family and being able to spend time with my family. There are kids running around, and – you know – health can deteriorate quickly. So, the quality time you spend with your loved ones is very important. That’s freedom, I think; have the time to spend with the people that matter to you.

[00:20:37]

Mike: If you're starting over from scratch today, what one thing would you do?

Kristy: Learn to say no sometimes. I'm the person that always tries to please everybody and help everybody, so yeah. Not on too much to the point where it impacts on family and health and that sort of thing. Just, know your limits and settlements.

[00:22:02]

Mike: Kristy, what's the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Kristy: If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.

[00:22:16]

Mike: What’s one of your personal habits that you believe contributes to your success?

Kristy: I'm a perfectionist.

Kristy: It definitely helps in my work.

[00:22:35]

Mike: What piece of equipment or technology or app or whatever could you not be without?

Kristy: This baby!

[00:23:06]

Mike: Is there one book that you’d recommend? A book that you've read that’s inspired you?

Kristy: For people starting out in business, probably The E-Myth or The E-Myth Revisited – I think it’s the newer version.

Kristy: I think it’s important. Just because you’re good at something doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be a successful business owner or trained to do that particular thing. You need to have other attributes or at least now how to share the load to people who know how to do those other things.

[00:23:50]

Mike: What’s the world missing? In your opinion, what does the world need the most?

Kristy: Aside from more coffee, we need more selflessness. I think everyone is so caught up in themselves and their own life and their own little bubble and what’s going on. I think we fail to really pay attention to a lot of people. It’s just sort of the really basic, fundamental thing, you know; do unto others as you would have them do unto you kind of thing. Just treat other people how you would want to be treated yourself.

[00:25:17]

Mike: Moving forward, in terms of advice; the best advice that you’ve received in terms of the industry that you're in – let's call it, broadly, photography, and in the real estate sphere of that. What would you like to share with us today?

Kristy: I think it’s really important to never stop learning.

[00:26:21]

Mike: What's your take on property as a future security option in a young woman with a growing family, and this people starting from all different times of life and many people think it’s too late to start, or it’s too early for me to start. What’s your take on property as an investment option?

Kristy: Yeah, I'm a strong believer in; if you’re able to, try and own your own home.

Kristy: I know that there are some people out there who’ve been passed a very difficult lot in life, and – for whatever reason, it might not be possible at this exact point in time for them – they might have to rent for a period. I guess something that has to do with my upbringing too; we never rented. We always owned our own home, even if it was a meager one, we always had that stepping stone.

[00:28:53]

Mike: What investment book or resource have you come across that you’d recommend. You mentioned the E-Mtyh which is certainly a very broad book. It talks about a lot of philosophies.

Kristy: Rich Dad, Poor Dad, is always a good go-to book. It’s called The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason. It’s a really short little book, a really really easy read and it’s just got some really good fundamentals.

[00:29:44]

Mike: In the public sphere, who’s your hero?

Kristy: Probably John Howard. I just think he is a phenomenal person and – yeah, I’d have to say he's probably my hero. I think he did just a fantastic job and he's just a down-to-earth good guy.

[00:30:41]

Mike: Who should you recommend we should have in our future podcast?

Kristy: I think there’s some other great young businesswomen who are managing to run successful businesses and be really good at what they do, and that’s their whole life as well.

[00:31:43] -- Mike: Well thank you very much for your time today Kristy.

Check out Kristy’s website: http://protography.net.au/