REB Business Empowerment Showcase: Breaking barriers: Geraldine Hermens on resilience, growth, and leading in real estate

In this episode, REB's Liam Garman sits down with Geraldine Hermens – top-selling agent and licensee at LJ Hooker Dunedin – to uncover the grit, determination, and leadership that have defined her extraordinary 32-year career. From being one of only a handful of women in real estate in Dunedin in the early 1990s to building a market-leading family business, Geraldine shares the mindset, work ethic, and personal sacrifices that helped her rise to the top in a male-dominated industry. Geraldine reveals the strategies she used to outwork the competition, build long-term trust in a tight-knit market, and maintain a consistent pipeline in the days before mobile phones and CRMs. She also unpacks the value of brand alignment, mentorship, and ongoing education – and how these have powered both her personal growth and her team's long-term success. Now working alongside her daughter in a thriving family-run agency, Geraldine offers practical insights into legacy planning, client relationships, and creating a supportive, high-performance culture.