Today in "The Barrow Of..." a woman who received several awards throughout her career, including Real Estate Woman of the Year and New Construction Broker of the Year. Eefje Voogd, broker/appraiser of Eefje Voogd Realty. A household name in the real estate world, MASTERS will say. In 2021, CBRE took over the brokerage. Eefje's career stands as a house, but who helped build this house? Who was her wheelbarrow?Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Eefje Voogd
What was your very first job?
"When I was just in high school in Amsterdam, I was looking for a Saturday job and ended up at a gloves, hats and haberdashery store on Ceintuurbaan. For my job interview, I borrowed my mother's Pauw pleated skirt so I would look a little older and correct. I was hired! Our clientele often included older ladies. They came from Beethoven Street (and the surrounding area) to buy their buttons. Endless patience I had to be there to help find the right buttons for a few guilder cents. Then a cardigan came out of the bag, was placed on the counter and and we looked for matching buttons for the garment. It was sometimes a long weighing process for the customer. Through these indecisive ladies, I learned patience with a customer and the power of persuasion. At my side job, I learned to sell as well as be service-oriented."
How did you end up in your current job?
"Through a taster internship for school, I ended up in the real estate industry. I was in high school and had to do a week's internship with a company. It was difficult to find a place at the time, but my mother, a real estate agent at the time, had arranged for me to join a real estate agency in Amsterdam-Zuid. I was allowed to spend a week in tow with a female real estate agent and from that moment on I was really captivated by the profession. After my internship at this office, I worked half days as a receptionist. A blue Monday in the accounting department, after which I continued my career in brokerage."
Who was your wheelbarrow?
"Throughout my career, my mother has been an important wheelbarrow. Even as a child, I went with her to the house auction. In fact, we didn't have a babysitter at home and my mother sometimes had to go to the house auction on Monday evenings, which was still held in the Koepelkerk at that time. After the auction I went with her to the Koepelcafé. I stood there as the "daughter of" and remember a special atmosphere of business, successes being celebrated and, of course, conviviality. In addition, my mother arranged the aforementioned internship for me at the time. This is often how it goes with children of brokers: when these young people look for an internship, they usually end up with a colleague somewhere."
What did your mother give you?
"She gave me a lot to take with me. First of all: be independent. Make sure you learn a trade, have your own income and don't depend on others. That you can make independent choices in life. My mother was particularly referring to private life. In the late 1980s you had the Postbus 51 campaign, "A smart girl is prepared for her future. I remember being very surprised by that: 'Gee, everybody gets that from home, don't they?' But my mother was steadfast and taught me: be service-oriented, work hard and be there for your customers day and night. Even though people can be unpleasant at times; often it is insecurity. She also taught me to always remain honest, honest, correct and friendly. And further: if you don't know something in business, don't sell nonsense, just honestly report that you don't know something, that you'll find out and get back to you later."
What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?
"This is a difficult one for me, because I don't have a greatest learning moment and I also think it's dangerous to think you've already had your greatest learning moment. You always have to stay sharp. For me, every day has learning moments and I now have a backpack full. The profession is always subject to big changes, but that's the beauty in brokerage. You never stop learning and that makes my job very interesting. Every day is a new challenge. It makes me enjoy going to work every time. I can explain that sometimes you have to say no, but that's not necessarily in my system, and that's why this is sometimes difficult. Over the years I have learned to do this more though!"
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
"Hard work and passion will get you very far. Don't sit back, but think ahead. Anticipate. Be proactive and show initiative. When it comes to work: be creative, immerse yourself in social trends, read all the professional literature available and keep ears and eyes wide open. On the street, nationally, but also internationally. In addition, listen carefully to your customers and make a difference if you want to get ahead. So provide super service. Work thoroughly and be independent in your advice. And last but not least: selling no is also selling."
Have you been a wheelbarrow for anyone?
"I have helped certain people get started in their careers. I've always had interns in the office, and I think it's important to give young people a place that shows an interest in the profession. There are a lot of students who have gone on to work in real estate. In addition, I am also a matchmaker, as I have introduced employers and employees to each other over the years."
