Making a career change is never easy, but sometimes it’s exactly what you need to grow. After nine years in the staffing industry, I took a leap of faith into property management. Here’s my journey, what I’ve learned, and how I’m thriving in a completely new career—plus insights for anyone curious about property management.
Why I Left the Staffing Industry
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After nearly a decade in staffing, I knew the industry inside and out but I wanted more than comfort and routine. I craved a career where I could learn something new, be challenged, and make a tangible impact.
I still remember my first interview with Stoney, our owner, who asked:
"So, you’re applying for a job in property management with no real estate experience at all?"
I smiled and said, "Yeah, why not? Learning won’t be the hard part, and I’m genuinely excited about it."
That mindset set the tone for my journey into the world of property management! A career that requires problem-solving, people skills, and business strategy in equal measure.
The First Three Weeks: Immersing in Property Management
The first few weeks were an immersion into every aspect of property management. I did ride-alongs with our owner, who not only manages properties but also runs a brokerage, is a general contractor, flips houses, and even appeared on Property Wars. These sessions were invaluable, giving me firsthand insight into:
How properties are managed from start to finish.
How owners and tenants are supported.
The behind-the-scenes operations that keep rental properties running smoothly.
Learned our property management systems and processes.
Observed the full lifecycle of property management: from owner sales calls to marketing to tenant move-ins.
Gained a clear understanding of what it takes to support owners and tenants every day.
Month Two: Deepening My Knowledge
By month two, I was getting hands-on experience and gaining a deeper understanding of property management operations:
Business Development & Sales
Connecting with property owners and showcasing our services.
Identifying opportunities to grow the property portfolio.
Coaching & Training
Applying strategies from the Rentscale training program.
Working alongside a team of coaches and fellow Business Development Managers for support.
Operations & Property Inspections
Learning rent-ready and show-ready inspections.
Understanding repairs, maintenance coordination, and making properties market-ready.
Marketing & Leasing
Following properties from listing to securing tenants.
Ensuring a smooth tenant transition while maintaining high occupancy rates.
Agreements & Leases
Studying Property Management Agreements and Tenant Leases to educate owners and give them peace of mind.
Systems & CRM Implementation
Implemented a new CRM to organize owner, tenant, and lead information efficiently.
Integrated Lead Simple with Rentvine, Tenant Turner, Google Calendars, and more to streamline operations.
Continuously testing and updating systems to improve scalability and efficiency.
Seeing how one person can wear many hats - broker, property manager, contractor, flipper - showed me how each piece of knowledge contributes to running a successful property management business.
Learning the Hands-On Side of Property Management
Observing the full business cycle helped me understand what it really takes to manage rental properties:
Handling emergency calls.
Resolving owner and tenant issues efficiently.
Coordinating property inspections, repairs, and vendor work.
Even though I wasn’t directly handling these tasks, listening and observing gave me a comprehensive view of the work behind successful property management. I realized that what we do truly matters - protecting every owner and tenant and ensuring their properties and homes are well cared for.
Embracing My Role as Business Development Manager
As a Business Development Manager (BDM), my role blends strategy, sales, and relationship-building:
Owner Sales Calls & Lead Generation: Connecting with property owners and identifying new opportunities.
Networking & Community Engagement: Participating in WeServ events, Builders events, and connecting with other BDMs, realtors, and vendors.
Training & Digital Presence: Leveraging Rentscale coaching programs, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), and maintaining strong reviews to grow the business online.
The relationships I’ve built are invaluable. Every connection has taught me the power of collaboration, mentorship, and a “giver” mindset in creating lasting impact.
Why Taking the Leap Was Worth It
Leaving a familiar career was scary, but property management has been incredibly rewarding. Every day presents new challenges, and I’m constantly learning.
What makes this journey truly special is the people I work with:
A supportive, collaborative team.
An owner who champions growth and learning.
Industry connections who act as mentors and cheerleaders.
Moving from a home-based office routine to a dynamic mix of office work, property visits, and community engagement has broadened my perspective and kept every day exciting. Seeing firsthand how our work makes a difference for owners and tenants is extremely fulfilling.
Key Lessons for Aspiring Property Managers
If you’re considering a leap into property management or any new career, here are some takeaways:
Immerse Yourself: Learn every aspect of the business. Don’t shy away from observing, asking questions, or trying new tasks.
Build Relationships: Mentorship, peer support, and networking are essential to success.
Embrace Learning: No prior experience? Focus on curiosity, growth, and problem-solving.
Be Adaptable: Property management requires wearing multiple hats and tackling unexpected challenges.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every closed sale, completed inspection, or happy tenant is a milestone.
Final Thoughts: Change is Scary, But Growth Is Worth It
Transitioning industries isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Property management has taught me the value of relationships, adaptability, and continuous learning. Taking the leap has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my career, and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
