MEET WENDY
MEET WENDY
I’m an independent BUYER’S AGENT, self-made businesswoman, MENTOR, educator, Investor, podcaster and closet introvert who loves a glass of bubbles!
This is me today… but let’s take it back to 1981 when it all began.
Growing up in the small industrial town of Gladstone in regional Queensland Australia marked a humble upbringing … but it soon became apparent that I had bigger plans for my life.
As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a businesswoman and self-made millionaire —
and it took me the best part of 20 years to get there!
These days, you’ll find me on the Brisbane property circuit, buying luxury homes for busy professionals and oversharing how I built a solo career that lets me live my best life.
I wasn’t from money, and I didn’t always have the success I have today —
the real estate business, the big-ticket clients, the 7-figure property portfolio.
In fact, just a decade ago in the aftermath of my separation and consequent loss of the majority of my wealth, I was firing myself from numerous real estate offices because I didn’t fit the culture (or my boss). It was fast becoming obvious that I was “unemployable” which meant I needed to start my own business … for the third time.
My story isn’t your typical girl starts business - girl gets rich success story.
But it’s one you might just relate to!
Growing up in middle-class Australia with immigrant parents, it was clear to me from a young age that if I wanted to have financial security and the finer things in life, I needed to work for them myself. No one was giving me anything - nor did I expect it. Thankfully, I’ve always had a natural inner drive and determination, and it came as no surprise when I opened my first independent real estate office at 23 years of age, becoming one of the youngest Principal Licensees in the game - just six years after I started my career on the reception desk.
Fast-forward another 7 years and everything had changed …
By the time I was 30, I was in the midst of a painful separation and had been diagnosed with clinical depression. What felt like the entire life I had worked so hard to create, had fallen apart around me. I had it all - the dream home, my convertible sports car, two fur baby pugs, a successful business and a property portfolio to be envied. But then, in the blink of an eye, it was all gone and I was forced to start over. Ironically, it had been my decision to end that chapter of my life but it didn’t make it any less painful. My late 20’s / early 30’s marked my rock-bottom era and what kept me going were my pugs, my real estate career, and that inner drive that is still with me today.
My career has been my driving purpose and quite possibly saved my life!
Prioritising my professional skillset in my early twenties gave me the confidence and strength to move forward as an independent woman and in 2015, I re-built a new business, trademarked my personal brand WENDYRUSSELL® and became the very first solo female buyer’s agent in Brisbane, Queensland.
It’s deep, but you could almost say my new business saved me. In the following years, my buyer’s advocacy opened me up to a world of possibilities as I established tribe-like friendships with like-minded professionals, met my now husband Ben, and reached income milestones I never imagined were possible for a solopreneur (let alone a girl from middle-class). The prior years of dedication, learnings, set-backs and hardships had ultimately set me up for the success I knew I deserved, and this realisation became the driver to share my story with others walking a similar path - perhaps you?
Now, I’m dedicated to sharing my story and teaching you how to fast-track your own success journey by adopting the mindset and skillset that has got me to where I am today.
Join our growing community of driven women who want all the things that come with building a successful career —
A resource hub for driven women who are stepping into their power as high-value professionals.
Some of my fondest memories and career highlights.
Follow me on social for all my latest pics and updates.
That time I was on the news with The ABC.
Podcasting with my co-host, Cara
One of my biggest auctions to date was representing a high-profile CEO on a $5.5M home purchase.
Meeting clients who flew in from overseas to view the two properties I had purchased for them.
A date to remember. Ben and I finally got around to tying the knot after 9 years together and married on September 6, 2023 on Hayman Island in the Whitsundays.
17 year old me in my first real estate role as a receptionist.
First day with my dream Mercedes convertible.
With my brother, sister and our dad at our childhood holiday spot (Burrum Heads Queensland).
The day our beautiful foster-fail Lex officially became our good boy.