Woman to Watch Diana Bzdyk

Diana Bzdyk

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I met this amazing and inspiring REALTOR® who was not only making a name for herself in Beverly Hills the ultra-luxury market in California but also had a thriving practice in Chicago! As many of my readers know I am also licensed in Kansas, Missouri, and California and I was excited to see what she had figured out along her way in growing her market share in 2 distinctly different real estate markets. I am so excited to introduce you all to this issue Woman to Watch

Tell us about how you got started in Real Estate.

I fell into real estate. When I was first buying my place, I decided to purchase pre-construction. Agents didn’t want to work with me as they felt I was not a credible buyer, I went through hell to even get a contract for me to sign! I started seeing others having the same issues a couple of years later once I settled in. I started looking at Open Houses for friends and family for fun and then I decided to do real estate for “vacation money” since I already knew most of the development, knew how to develop through my mom’s company and I saw that my clients responded well to me and my help. Within 9 mos of part-time work, I was the #2 salesperson in the office. I then took it more seriously and slowly shifted from my full-time job in marketing to real estate and almost 20 years later, here I am. I do believe the world sends you signals and my experience was my signal.

How Do You Balance Working Two Robust Markets

I work non-stop. But for me, it does not feel that way. Most of my clients become friends so for me, I am having quality time with friends solving problems. So loving what you do makes you not feel like you are stretched thin because you love it.

I have a team in Chicago that covers my showings when I’m not available. But, I am always present, I know all the ins and outs of buildings, and negotiate every step of the way. My vendors such as stagers, photographers, and marketing team have worked with me for so long that they know how to shoot, decorate, etc. without me standing over them. It is a trust that I built and they built with me too. In California, I am part of a larger team that manages much of the same.

My top priority that translates in both markets is care, and empathy, as this is a stressful but exciting time and attention to detail. We are in this together and I am helping real people achieve their financial goals.

Beverly Hills and Chicago are both prestigious and competitive real estate markets. What inspired you to break into the luxury real estate sector in these cities, and how did you navigate the initial challenges?

Chicago was my stomping ground. I grew up in the city, I took buses and trains to Harold Washington Library, I shopped at Marshall Fields, I bought popcorn at Garrett’s, I hung out at Rock n’ Roll McDonald’s, and I loved the energy. I was fearless. Looking back at it now, I wonder what people thought when they saw this tiny 11-year-old girl just wandering by herself.

With that knowledge, I met people and clients who transferred to Chicago who leaned on my intel of the city and trusted me. My clients took me into prestigious homes because as their careers and milestones grew, so did I. I grew with them. My clients have pulled me every step of the way. In the past decade, many have asked for me to work with them in CA. I always viewed CA as too competitive but I then found the courage to start new and guess what…. I succeeded. My clients pushed me and I thank them for it. They pulled me into CA. Now I have clients asking me to also come to FL and NYC and help them there. Never say never….

Personal branding is paramount in the luxury market. Can you share some unique strategies or elements that helped you craft and elevate your brand in the luxury real estate space?

Branding is very important but branding for me was different. I didn’t spend that much time on social media or any advertising. I was just being genuine and reaching out to clients every time I think of them. When I am in their neighborhood and see a new restaurant, I share it with them. When I take on another client and see a property near my other client, I may make intros if I think they would be a good friend group to know. So my brand is just “care and being genuine”. I am a great problem solver, my clients turn to me for a myriad of reasons outside of real estate as they know that I would be happy to help in any way. Design a home, sure, and better yet, I can help you get even better pricing, looking for a job? Let me see how I can network and introduce you, have questions on a particular school, yep, let me introduce you to families that are there for the real truth and experience. I am happy to help in any way possible.

How do you adapt your strategies to cater to the unique clientele and demands of each market?

I base everything on the personalities and needs of my clients. For example, if you are more of a homebody, then your choice of location may be more based on work location and location wants such as proximity to water, your activities, etc. If you are more of an extrovert, you want to be near your friends or the center of the action and have all the restaurants, nightlife, and activities within minutes of you. I ask how my clients live. Each has a different list of needs and for couples, it becomes marriage counseling as each may have very different needs and wants and you navigate the waters with them to find the best compromise and solve their problems.

In a sector where word-of-mouth and reputation are everything, how do you go about building your clientele base, especially when you are first starting?

Almost 20 years ago, the world was so different. I met my first large client on Craig’s list when he responded to my listing of a pre-construction property I was thinking of selling. That ad landed me that client and a few more. My client felt ignored in his search similarly to me. We connected on that. He was also a superconnector. He introduced me to his whole community and network. I rose the ranks quickly with him and all his referrals as their lives changed and I am happy because now I have 50+ friends that I have made along the way of helping them achieve their home goals. It was one by one but it was genuine. People will always know when they are being used. I have checked in with people all these 20 years. I genuinely like 99% of my clients.

For women entrepreneurs or agents looking to make their mark in luxury real estate, what are your top pieces of advice to find success and build lasting client relationships?

Always be open. I meet people daily, whether on walks or ordering coffee. Tomorrow I have a meeting with someone I met who I thought was a construction worker on the street who spoke to my dog. Turns out he has a portfolio of luxury properties valued at about $50+M. I am meeting with his kids on a property tomorrow about how to best market it for short-term rentals. I now am more engrained in his life and hope to grow my relationship with the kids to grow my network.

On Thursday nights, if free, I meet with the same group of people I met by chance at a coffee shop that have similar business interests and are retired. We laugh and are joined by common thoughts on life. Our ages span 35 between us but there is something to learn. I like hearing their stories and they like my “one-line zingers”. I can dish them so quickly and they enjoy that. They trust me as a person and in turn, they connect me with potential clients.

Remember, YOU ARE ENOUGH. Lastly, if you are the smartest person in the room, leave. You are the average of the 5 closest people to you, if you don’t like that average, level up, when you do, you level up your thinking, your network, and your life.

Are there any emerging markets that you are keeping an eye on besides, Beverly Hills and Chicago?

Wyoming, Oregon, and Tennesee have seen some huge shifts into luxury which now make locals feel unrest as they are priced out. These are continuing to grow with no end in sight.

Any plans to expand your real estate business in new markets?

NYC and Miami….watch out.  You never know….. My clients are already requesting, I may have to take them up on that one day.