Brooke Dewey
Q: Where did you attend college?
A: Elon University
Q: What degree did you receive?
A: Bachelor of Science in Business and Minor in Economics
Q: Did you go to your dream college?
A: I got into the school that I wanted to attend - I'm not sure it was my dream college
Q: Do you think your college education was necessary for your success in business?
A: A college degree is absolutely necessary for what I do in business today
Q: Who or what led you to your current career path?
A: My father was in commercial real estate and I was always very intrigued by what he did when I was growing up. From the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be in real estate but I was working to figure out what area of the business I was most intrigued by.
Q: Was your current career your first choice, or did you switch?
A: First choice and I love it!
Q: Was mentorship significant to your business journey?
A: Absolutely. I have had great mentors along the way and I feel this is something everyone needs in order to be successful in their career.
Q: How do you approach networking and the building of professional relationships?
A: Relationships are vital to our business. People do business with people that they like - plain and simple. Relationships take work and time. For my business, I am constantly entertaining people (clients and brokers). I take people to lunch / dinner / drinks, I take people to sporting events and concerts, I host broker events at my properties, I take brokers and clients on trips, etc. Another way I approached networking early in my career was by attending industry related events and I met a lot of people this way.
Q: What is the ratio of males to females in your business?
A: Great question - it has been changing since I entered into the business 20 years ago. For office leasing, I would say today it is much more balanced at 60% male / 40% women. Not every sector is balanced this way though. For example, I would think that residential real estate is more predominately women over men. In the capital markets business (CRE), men still very much dominate this sector with very few women above an analyst level.
Q: Have you observed or been affected by a wage gap between men and women in your field?
A: No. My business is commission based. I make what I earn (or the deals that I close) and my wage is based on a percentage of revenue I am making my clients.
Q: How have you asserted yourself as a powerful woman in your field?
A: Oh my, I don't know how to answer this one. As I type this I am actually laughing inside because I would never describe myself as powerful. I have a very simple philosophy on success - stay focused and go the extra mile, treat people with respect and be honest and fail up (learn from your mistakes). Success is about consistent behaviors. Read and stay connected to the changes in your business, maintain and cultivate new relationships and work hard.
Q: What has been your biggest tool in gaining credibility in the business world?
A: I think the biggest thing anyone can do to gain creditability is to be honest and ethical and to be your authentic self.
Q: How does social media, if at all, impact your business?
A: This has also changed since I got in the business. We are using social media in a variety of ways now. We market our properties, we announce new transactions, we even have tools that help us with prospecting for new tenants in our buildings through social media tools.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: My dad told me that I would have to be able to manage the highs and lows of this business to be successful and he was so right! We can work on deals for a year and have them fall apart as they are ready to close. And in my business, we don't get paid for those 12 months - it can be incredibly frustrating. But ohh the highs of our business. There is noting like closing a transaction that was complex or that you know adds so much value to the property for your client. Its just one of the best feelings.
Q: Lastly, what would be the number one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?
A: Your life may not follow the exact path that you dream in your head but it will be ok in the end. Stay focused on the things that you hold most important in your life.
