From business owner to CEO: How I stepped into leadership and transformed my business

But CEO? That felt too big. Too bold.

Looking back, I can see now that I was running a business, but I wasn’t really leading it. I was in the trenches, doing the work, but I hadn’t fully stepped into the role of business owner, let alone a CEO.

The truth is, I wanted to embody all of the traits of a good CEO, and I had them inside me, I just didn’t know how to exude them.

Things started to change when I hired a coach, attended training and events, and truly invested in myself.

Learning to lead (even when you don’t feel like a leader)

Sometimes others can see things in you before you see them in yourself.

The seed of an idea would be planted in my mind – something big, something bold – and I’d immediately dismiss it.

“That’s not me.”

“I could never do that.”

“That’s for other people.”

But then, six months down the track, that little idea would start to grow.

Suddenly, I’d find myself thinking: Actually … maybe I could do that. Once I embraced that mindset change, I immediately started working on another.

One where I shifted from a mindset of doing to leading, and from running a business to building a company that works FOR me, not because of me.

That shift has been everything.

Scaling up: From $3 million to $17 million

Five years ago, my business was turning over around $3 million in GCI, with 250 properties under management.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve scaled to $17 million and 1,000 rentals, with the goal of hitting $20 million and then $25 million.

To achieve it, I had to step up as a real CEO. That meant:

● Building a business that scales - not just growing for growth’s sake, but creating something sustainable. This means setting up strong operational systems, ensuring every process is replicable, and making sure the business can continue to thrive even if you’re not in the daily grind. It’s about future-proofing your agency so that it continues to grow profitably and with purpose.

● Recruiting the right people - leaders who could step into roles I once held so the business could grow beyond me. This isn’t just about hiring talent; it’s about identifying and developing leaders who align with your vision, understand your culture, and have the capability to drive the business forward. Investing in the right people allows you to step back from the daily tasks and focus on strategic growth.

● Focusing on work/life balance - because what’s the point of building a great business if it consumes every part of your life? Real estate can be all-consuming, but setting boundaries, scheduling personal time, and learning to delegate effectively are keys to longevity. Creating a business that allows you to step away, recharge, and still operate efficiently is a major step towards sustainable success.

The power of mastermind: A room full of game changers

I’ve also attended various training days and conferences, but not those where you sit, listen and then forget everything when you leave.

I prefer those where high performers share openly, collaborate generously, and push each other to level up.

Of course I’m there for the headline speakers and trainers, but some of my biggest business breakthroughs have actually come from the conversations in the room – from the attendees.

When you surround yourself with the right people, your perspective shifts. You stop thinking small and start seeing what’s possible.

That’s how I found one of my first accountability partners, and I can’t tell you how valuable it’s been to have someone just a phone call away.

We trade ideas, problem-solve together, and share what’s working in our businesses. It’s mentorship, friendship, and collaboration at its best.

My favourite speakers + biggest takeaways

Over the years, I’ve heard from some incredible speakers, but a few have really stood out:

● Nathan Sharpe: The former Wallabies’ captain shared his insights into high-performance teams – how elite sports teams operate and what we can learn from them – completely changed the way I structure my business.

● Janine Allis and Lorna Jane: These two have been game changers for me. Janine Allis was simply inspirational in building Boost Juice from nothing and in the face of adversity.

Lorna’s advice: “You’ve got to build the plane while it’s flying” – has stuck with me as well. You can’t wait for everything to be perfect before you take off. You just have to go.

● Peter Ritchie: As McDonald’s Australia’s first CEO, Peter’s approach to leadership and culture-building made me rethink how I positioned property management in my business.

Inspired by McDonald’s strategy of making store manager roles aspirational, we ran a campaign to make property management cool again – complete with a Vogue-style shoot for our property managers that put them front and centre.

The biggest thing I’ve implemented? Consistency + accountability

One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve had as a result of coaching, training, and investing in myself is around consistency and accountability.

Before, I used to hate one-on-one meetings. As a salesperson, they always felt like a “big talk” about what you were doing wrong.

But I’ve reframed them for each member of my team as a check-in not a check-up. It’s about keeping each other on track, staying aligned with our goals, and making sure we’re moving forward together.

The biggest lesson? Show up. Do the work. Don’t wait. Then, do it all over again.

Hayley Van de Ven is an agent growth specialist, director of the Limitless Group, and owner of RE/MAX Results and RE/MAX Bayside Properties.