Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Olynyk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Julia with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Growing up in a home where both of my parents were middle school music teachers, I quickly learned about work ethic. Whether racing out to early morning jazz band rehearsals, setting up hundreds of chairs for concerts, or performing as professional musicians around Omaha – they were constantly working.
In my early twenties, I found myself in a similar situation! My husband and I were both elementary music teachers, who at one point had a combined NINE jobs. Woof. While that is most certainly not sustainable, when we were just out of college and trying to save up to buy our first home, that was what we chose to do.
Of course, let’s not sugar coat the fact that, at times, having such a strong work ethic can actually be a weakness. Having to put “relax” on a to-do list isn’t ideal. So, like most things in life, it is all about balance, perspective, and self-awareness. We have a much healthier work/life balance now. (Having kids can have that effect!) And while I pride myself in being a very hard worker, I’ve also recognized the need to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate all that I’ve worked so hard for.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
When we were first-time homeowners, my husband and I became very skilled at improvement projects. Due to our educator schedule and limited budget, it made sense to learn to enhance our home ourselves. It was SO exciting to have a creative outlet while also adding value to our house! When we outgrew our first home and were able to use our equity to buy our next, the impact of all of our work really paid off, and I felt drawn toward helping others achieve this.
By the time I was in my eleventh year of teaching, I was ready for a change. As our children were getting older, I realized I was spending my best self at school on my students, and having little left to give to my own children. It isn’t in my DNA to “half-youknowwhat” things, so I knew something had to give. I wanted a career that had some flexibility and didn’t drain all of my “kid” energy by the end of the day. Additionally, the ability to travel and explore became an increasingly important goal of our parenting. My husband switched careers a year prior, so the combination of losing my teaching partner-in-crime along with his new travel-friendly schedule played a roll as well.
I began studying for my real estate license in September 2020 while teaching. I conducted informational interviews, sought out the pros and cons of the business, and learned the type of agent I did and did not want to be. According to a NAR (National Association of Realtors) study in 2021, 75% of Realtors fail within their first year, and 87% within their first five years. I was determined to bet on myself and beat the odds!
Leaving a career like music education to go into a field like real estate was tricky. I knew I would be disappointing a lot of my students and families who had counted on me for years. While it was tough news to break to everyone, I do still feel very connected with the school system here since, with my new career, I am able to be extremely active in my own kids’ school. My husband and I lead one of the main fundraisers, and have active roles on the parent organization board. I enjoy being involved in the district I taught in, now in a different capacity.
I’m excited to share that I’m halfway through my fourth year as a Realtor and have had my most fruitful year yet! The first few years were very difficult and it could have been easy to get discouraged when ghosted by a client I poured my heart into, or passed up for a different agent by my own friends or family. However, I kept my focus, and continued to build the foundation of my business that is now turning into exactly what I hoped for; repeat and referral clients. And while there will always be new challenges, I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I have found my niche as a realtor who provides a curated experience for clients so they have as smooth a process as possible. I very much enjoy the education component, guiding my clients at each step. I also utilize my artistic side for everything from adding staging to listings that make photos pop to helping past clients pick out paint colors or design elements! Working with me means you’ll have someone you can trust who brings a vibrant outlook, listening ear, and high level of care. I am proud to be a Realtor and am so thankful I made this leap years ago!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Priorities. My first career as a music educator was a great fit when I was young, without kids of my own, and was capable of pouring endless energy into it. When life changed, my priorities changed! I was a happy person, more or less, but in a career like elementary music education, you are *always* performing, and I felt exhausted and stuck. I explored why I was feeling this way, and ultimately it came down to the amount of time spent at work or thinking about work, and the lack of time and presence I was able to have with my family. Embracing my new priorities helped me along the path of choosing a new career that would better match what my heart needed.
Proactivity. It’s not easy going from being an expert in your field to starting completely over in a new career. This is where my tendency to be a proactive thinker came in handy. Like most careers, the schooling can only prepare us so much, and learning on the job is what teaches us the most. However, I didn’t want to learn by making mistakes when it comes to one of the biggest investments my clients will ever make! NO thank you.
Instead, I spent time thinking through scenarios I would encounter, and creating connections with seasoned agents who were eager to help. This enhanced my confidence tremendously. There are still oddities in almost every transaction, and since I’ve developed strong relationships with kind, knowledgeable colleagues, I always have somewhere to turn, and am equally happy to provide help when I can.
Relationships. Having supportive relationships is a huge part of the process. I would not be able to do what I do today without having an extremely flexible, supportive partner at home. For example, one night we were playing in the front yard as a family of four. A client wanted to see a home that just hit the market and looked like it could be “the one,” and at the time many homes were still selling in one day. While my husband probably would’ve appreciated me sticking around for the night, he instead sent me off with a big smile and handled dinner, nighttime routines with the kids, and had leftovers there for me when I arrived back home. Having family and friends who understand and support you and your career is crucial. Do a social audit. Surround yourself with people who you’re excited to be around; who lift you up and are energy-giving!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Success is an important word to define for yourself. In a world with flashy social media and constant comparisons, it can be easy to lose sight of your own definition. Is it how many dollars are in my business checking account? How many families I’ve helped? How many school pick-ups I’m able to do with a clear, present mind?
Success for me is two-fold:
1. Continued growth and experience in a career I love, which means a steady stream of clients I get to help, who then connect me with those they love, and the cycle continues.
2. Embracing the gift of time with my family. Being present with my husband and kids, showing up for the recitals and cross country meets, and having the privilege of traveling and exploring the world with them.
Who has been the most helpful? That is also a combination. There is a small group of colleagues in my brokerage who check in with each other constantly and meet for brunch once a month. We build each other up. We give advice with work-related issues, share helpful knowledge, and also share personal struggles and joys. This has been monumental for my business to have this cohort of successful women who I can always count on!
I must also give a shoutout to my college-sweetheart husband who is the best listener and the most encouraging partner I could ever ask for! His support is also felt and seen by our kids, and it means so much that my children are getting to witness me believing in myself and starting my successful business from scratch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliaolynyk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaolynyk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliaolynyk/
Image Credits
Joey Winn Hansen, Jordan Carda, Cale Benson
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