Login
iscover
Two former business rivals are launching a new business in their home turf of south Brisbane.
When Donna-Marie Jarden and Chyerl Pridham met on the committee board of the Logan Regional Chamber of Commerce, they were members of rival real estate agencies.
But competition turned to goodwill, as Jarden and Pridham realised that they had more in common than it first seemed.
The agents shared similar values, with both caring deeply about community and professional excellence.
In 2021, they launched a joint business venture: a local independent real estate business called DMH Realty, which focused on first home buyers and young families.
“We’ve developed a successful business with a strong local profile,” said Jarden. “But we want to scale up the business, and we realised we needed to be able to leverage training, marketing tools and systems from a national brand to support that.”
Now, the pair have rebranded as LJ Hooker Flagstone, where they hope to being their over 50 years of joint real estate experience to a booming pocket of Brisbane.
The masterplanned suburb of Flagstone is just 20 years old, but already it is seeing an inflow of new residents. The 7,000-strong suburb is forecast to eventually be home to 50,000 residents.
According to Pridham, the growth of this satellite city will be implemented sustainably, with no more than 17 per cent of total dwellings being rental accommodation.
A new town centre, a tavern, an ALDI supermarket, and several new schools are also in the works.
“There are a lot of first home buyers coming to Flagstone for the chance to build their own home and benefit from the existing and future infrastructure,” said Pridham.
“Donna-Marie, myself, and the rest of the team have the privilege of meeting many people who are interested in getting into the area,” she said. “We’re passionate about contributing to the community events that make Flagstone a friendly, connected community.”
The duo stated that a joining a large national brand will help, not hurt, their mission of connecting with their local community.
“LJ Hooker is a trusted brand in Queensland and is in line with the community values that we have,” said Jarden.
Her perspective was echoed by LJ Hooker’s general manager of network, Stephen Mutton, who stated that LJ Hooker “has always been a family-focused brand and that will resonate in a community that offers a lifestyle that is attracting young families”.
“Donna-Marie and Chyerl are well-known in the community, and […] we’re excited to partner with them on their journey,” said Mutton.
Newsletter
