Voss Babe Female Entrepreneur Series – Ashley Stawski, Owner of Ashley Stawski – RE/MAX Check Realty

For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.  

At Like A Voss Social Media, we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Ashley Stawski, Owner of Ashley Stawski – RE/MAX Check Realty

Ashley Stawski RE/MAX Check Realty is your local Campbell River born and raised Real Estate Agent! She has been in the business for nearly 5 years now and truly enjoys working with clients to help them through the process of buying and/or selling.

Our CEO Mandi interviewed Ashley about her secret to success in business and in life. We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business. She also wanted us to make sure that we highlighted the fact that Ashley is her Mom’s, brother’s and HER REALTOR – although Mandi is a while away from owning her first home, Ashley has been keeping her up-to-date with all of the listings in Campbell River and they have become friends.

A Little Bit About Being a Female Entrepreneur

1: How long have you been a REALTOR?

4.5 Years! I can’t believe it’s been that long already! I got my license in March 2016!!

2: What made you decide to get into real estate?

I had been working at Myra Falls mine (1.5 hours outside of Campbell River) for about 4 years as a Mine Clerk – and I really missed working with clients/customers as I had previously. I was largely alone in my office…which was difficult for me. I watched a few close friends/family go through real estate transactions and it interested me and the last few years I worked at the mine I constantly had thoughts of becoming an agent myself… but wasn’t sure how to make the leap?! I ended up reaching out to and meeting with Anita Painter – a HUGE name in Local Real Estate who was a friend of a friend at the time. She graciously took the time to meet with me for coffee to discuss the details of getting into Real Estate and I was hooked from there!  

3: What do you love most about being a female entrepreneur?

I’ve always wanted to be my own boss – and being able to make that a reality and actually succeed at it has been an amazing accomplishment. I did not succeed on my own however – I was lucky to have Anita Painter mentor me in my first year, amazing staff at the RE/MAX Check Realty office, my husband who didn’t skip a beat in supporting me in this huge career change as it can take some serious time before income starts coming in AND I have countless friends, family and previous colleagues who have all supported me with their business and referrals which I could not have made it without ♥️ – Thank you all!

4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as a female entrepreneur?

I would say respect and confidence of some clients and colleagues. Part of that is being a newer agent, part of it is my age and part is due to being a woman. Some people you run into just do not handle working with a woman well and sometimes it means having to prove yourself to them to gain that respect. Other times I’ve found it means not working with those people (when that’s an option!). I’ve always said that everyone doesn’t get along with everyone – and that I will not be the right fit for all clients and that is OKAY. 

5: What is one thing about working in the real estate industry that people would be surprised to learn?

The COST! 💰 This can be an expensive business to be in. We are self employed and we have fees that we have to pay to work within our Brokerages (Ex: RE/MAX), we have fees to be part of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, fees for the BC Real Estate Association, fees for the Canadian Real Estate Association, fees and ongoing education costs to keep our license up to date, PLUS all the costs of business on top of that. We ONLY get paid when a sale actually closes – which can be 3-4 months AFTER we write a contract and sometimes a year or more after the first meeting with a client.

And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!

6: Do you have a favorite social media platform? Why?

A couple years ago I would have said Facebook. Now it is definitely Instagram; though I do still spend a fair amount of time on Facebook as well. I feel that Instagram is a little easier to interact with people and businesses especially in stories. Feels a bit more personal with the stories. I’m also spending more time on Tik Tok these days! I do enjoy the lightness of it – though I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into that one for business just yet.

7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your company?

I’ve been big into Facebook for years and it was a big part of my business from day 1. All my friends and previous co-workers were on Facebook and were friends with me. So when I got into Real Estate it was a no brainer to make a business page and invite all my friends to follow it – so they know what I’m up to and hopefully think of me next time they (or someone they know) are buying or selling!😉 

8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?

ABSOLUTELY! Most of my circle is on Facebook or Instagram or both – and my business is one of being “top of mind”. You don’t need a REALTORoften – but when you do… Who do you think of? As an agent I need to be THAT person for my clients and social media helps me do that!

9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?

I would tell them to jump in with both feet and to hire Like a Voss Social Media to get started 😉 It is a great tool but if someone was looking to get into social media for business and they didn’t have much experience with it I would suggest a lot of research or taking some courses/hiring some help at first because personally, if I go to a business page that doesn’t have the info I’m looking for or looks to be “abandoned” I leave and usually I do not make further inquiries with that company.

A Little More About Ashley

  1. I am a dog mom to a beautiful American Staffordshire Terrier named Ava who is now 9 years old! 🐶 
  2. I would ❤️ LOVE ❤️ to open a florist shop one day! It’s been a dream of mine since doing a marketing class in college and choosing a Florist Shop as my business plan.
  3. My husband and I designed and built a house a few years ago! Such a fun experience that I NEVER would have thought I would enjoy – but I did and even wrote a blog about it as we were building!
  4. I lived in Fort McMurray, AB for 3 years – so I can appreciate a “real” winter! After living away from home I began to truly appreciate Campbell River and all it has to offer!
  5. I love entertaining and having family gatherings – we pretty much built our house around the space for LARGE family dinners…. You know… the ones we all hope we will be able to have again NEXT year!

Connect with Ashley

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Pinterest

Know Any Voss Babes?

Do you know a female entrepreneur who loves social media as much as we do? Contact us today – we’d love to tell her story!

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