Striving for continued excellence

RENEE Reynolds, director of Jellis Craig Geelong, was always destined to be a business owner.

Both parents had their own business in Geelong and Renee’s work and business ethic comes from the long hours and hard work her parents put into the financial planning enterprise.

After finishing year 12 at Clonard College in Geelong, it wasn’t long before Renee started her first business, Ballroom Dancing Studio, in Pakington Street, Geelong West at the age of 21.

Renee soon found that real estate was where her passion was and started her first real estate position with Greg McDonald at McDonald Real Estate, as a property manager.

“Greg taught me the fundamentals of property management and if it wasn’t for him giving me a go and backing me, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.

Embracing the property management aspect of real estate, Renee soon became well-respected and the ‘go to’ property manager in the Geelong region.

In 2007, Renee and her business partner at the time opened the first real estate agency in Geelong, focusing 100 per cent on property management, Release Property Management.

Many real estate colleagues and peers advised Renee against this, but her passion and drive to excel in property management soon saw her business grow exponentially.

“We didn’t have to advertise on a weekly basis, as word of mouth was growing about our business,” she said.

“We provided excellent customer service and were the experts in property management.

“Over the 18 years of being in the real estate business, a lot has changed, however the core fundamentals of business haven’t.

“Our clients still want great customer service, and they want to be dealing with an expert within our field.”

In July 2024, Renee joined the well-respected real estate brand Jellis Craig and her Geelong West office rebranded to Jellis Craig Property Management.

The property management industry has seen a lot of changes since 2020, including changes in legislation, the implementation of minimum standards within rental properties and the overall change of landscape in owning investment properties in Victoria.

“To succeed in business today, there needs to be a strong focus on human resources to ensure the staff have the right mechanics and support to be the best within our industry,” Renee said.

“Work-life balance and flexibility is now a focus across all industries so being able to provide this to our staff while still providing exceptional and expert advice to our clients, is key to our success.”

A multiple real estate award winner, past winner of the Small (2013) and Medium (2016) Geelong Business Excellence Awards and past REIV board director, Renee is still very much hands-on in leading the property management team at Jellis Craig Geelong.

A true passion for her industry, her staff, and continuing to be known as the best property management agency in Geelong is what makes Renee Reynolds tick.

Head to jelliscraig.com.au/office/geelong for more.