Kayla started on reception at 19. Nearly 17 years later, she now helps support and guide offices across the YPA network.
When Kayla first walked into YPA Taylors Lakes as a 19-year-old receptionist in 2009, she didn’t have a long-term plan mapped out. What she did have was a strong interest in real estate and a willingness to learn.
“I found an ad on Seek,” she said. “It was a great entry point that gave me exposure to all aspects of the business from day one.”
What followed was a career that evolved steadily through the business, from reception to sales, leadership, partnership, and now a role within YPA Corporate as Franchise Manager.
Looking back, she describes those early years as some of the most important.
“The early days were all about learning and honestly work was so fun,” she said. “I worked six days a week and was always eager to learn and grow beyond my role.”
Even while working on reception, Kayla would stay back to assist with rental and sales opens on Saturdays, simply to gain more exposure to the industry.
“Within less than a year our CEO encouraged me to transition into the sales department,” she said.
From there, her progression moved quickly.
She stepped into a Personal Assistant role to the Sales Manager before immersing herself further into the sales side of the business. Early in her career, she entered the Novice Auctioneer Competition against nine competitors, won it, and became an accredited auctioneer, something she still describes as a pivotal moment.
“That gave me a lot of confidence early on,” she said.
From there, Kayla moved into sales, achieving multiple awards across listings and sales before eventually stepping into a Sales Manager role herself. After six years within the same office, she became a partner in the business.
Today, as part of the YPA Corporate team, her role extends across the wider network, working closely with directors, staff, suppliers, training programs, and major events.
“My role today is quite diverse,” she said. “It includes planning and executing events, coordinating training and development across the network, working closely with suppliers, and liaising with directors and staff.”
She also MCs YPA’s awards nights, something she says genuinely reflects the culture within the group.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the success of our people and bring everyone together,” she said.
While her role has changed significantly over the years, Kayla says there was never one defining moment where she suddenly saw herself as a leader.
“It was more a series of milestones,” she said. “Consistently achieving goals, running multiple auctions every Saturday, mentoring people around me… it all naturally pushed me into that mindset.”
Being underestimated early in her career also became a defining part of her growth.
“Early on, I was often underestimated by competing agents during appraisals,” she said. “There were comments like, ‘Why would you list with a young girl?’ or ‘Isn’t she the receptionist?’”
Rather than discourage her, those experiences became motivation.
“I always remained professional and never spoke negatively about others,” she said. “Winning those listings became incredibly rewarding and helped build my confidence and reputation.”
Now working across the broader YPA network, she says the people remain one of the biggest reasons she has stayed for almost 17 years.
“What I enjoy most is the strong sense of connection across the network,” she said. “Many of us have worked together for years, and there’s a genuine bond and shared commitment to each other’s success.”
That environment, she says, made it easy to continue building her career within the business rather than looking elsewhere.
“Without a doubt, it comes down to the people,” she said. “I’ve been surrounded by supportive leaders, mentors, and colleagues who have always encouraged my growth and backed my ambitions.”
For someone who started on reception as a teenager, the journey has given her a unique perspective on the industry and the opportunities within it.
Her advice to those entering real estate today is simple.
“Be prepared to work hard and stay consistent,” she said. “Say yes to every opportunity to learn and most importantly, don’t listen to the noise.”
As she approaches 17 years with the franchise next month, Kayla says she remains proud not only of how far she has come professionally, but also of the relationships she has built along the way.
“It’s been a journey built on hard work, resilience, and continuous growth,” she said. “I’m also incredibly proud of the reputation I’ve built and the relationships I’ve formed throughout the years.”