Tina Joa

To anyone watching, it might look like I’m just out having a blast. I’m spotted at the CCMAs, swinging clubs at charity golf tournaments, or laughing it up at conferences and community events in Edmonton’s west end. And yes, I admit, I am having fun—but let's not be fooled here. Behind the smiles and handshakes, there’s some serious strategizing going on.

You see, while I might look like a social butterfly floating through these events, in reality, I’m working hard to make sure my wings get noticed. There’s a lot more planning behind my “social” presence than it seems. Every time I show up, I’m making sure I’m seen, heard (even if I have to talk over the crowd), and remembered. Yes, I might be snapping selfies and live-streaming, but it's all part of a master plan.

Behind the scenes, I'm also working like a well-oiled machine—taking notes on conversations, following up on those chance meetings, and, more importantly, leaving an impression. Whether it’s video recordings, social media posts, or tagging my way into people’s feeds, I’m putting in the work. After all, you never know when that one person will scroll past, see my content, and say, “You know what? I like her. Let’s talk.”

But here’s the kicker—I’m five months into this journey now, and it’s a bit like swimming in a fish tank. Some days, it feels like I’m surrounded by sharks (cue the "dun-dun-dun" music), but then, I remind myself that not everyone is out to bite. In fact, some people really do want me to succeed, which is both reassuring and occasionally surprising.

Take a recent conference, for example. I was approached by a colleague from another brokerage who said, “You clean up good!” (Thanks, I try!) I’d met her at my first golf tournament in June. One random conversation, and here we are—building something that started with a casual chat. Now, I’ve got connections with keynote speakers, and after a quick compliment on a presentation, I even got tagged on one speaker’s latest book tour. What started as small talk is turning into real, meaningful relationships.

The funny thing is, most people see me having fun and think it’s all effortless. Truth is, I’m doing the prep work—researching who’s going to be at these events, thinking about who I need to meet, and practicing my small talk like it’s an Olympic sport. By the time I’m in the room, I’ve already done hours of work behind the scenes. I’m essentially the most fun over-prepared person at the party!

Of course, this whole thing is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m lucky to have a great group of friends who remind me that success takes time—and it’s built one relationship at a time. Every conversation, every event, and every social media post is a piece of the puzzle. And honestly? It’s starting to work. Slowly but surely, I’m getting heard.

So, the next time you see me out and about, don’t be fooled by the smile and the seemingly carefree vibe. Sure, I’m having a good time, but I’m also working the room, making sure I’m remembered, and quietly building something bigger. And in the meantime, I’m doing my best to keep swimming—even if I do feel like a small fish sometimes.

As I reflect on these past 4.5 months in real estate, it feels like being a little fish in a big shark tank. Everyone around me sees confidence, success, and potential—but I still wrestle with my own doubts. Why is it that others see the success I can’t quite believe in for myself yet?

I’ve made learning my mission. Whether it's diving into books, listening to mentors, or picking up non-verbal cues in conversations, I’m constantly working on improving my skills. I’ve put myself out there, attending several community events, with many more to come, and I’m even gearing up for RAECON, the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton’s event, to keep expanding my knowledge.

One of my biggest challenges so far was at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs). Walking up to strangers, starting conversations, and leaving an impression wasn’t easy, but I did it 30 times! I even met a Hells Angel, and after realizing we had a family connection, his partner told me how fun I am. I might be fun, but I’m also constantly analyzing every interaction, calculating every move to make the most of those moments. This is the real work behind the scenes that people don’t always see.

Then there was the charity golf event. I was terrified of making a fool of myself, but I let go of that fear and decided to have fun. It’s moments like this that remind me: while the uneasiness may never fully disappear, I can choose to enjoy the process and grow through it.

Despite the curveballs from clients and prospects, I’m starting to feel like I belong in this shark tank. I’m balancing my life, work, and friendships—albeit imperfectly—and finding my rhythm. I know I have the support of my family, and I’m learning that success doesn’t always look like a straight line. It’s about adapting, learning, and pushing forward, even when doubt creeps in.

This little fish is getting stronger, swimming better, and making waves in this shark tank. I’m going to shake off the worry and continue showing up as my best self. The success will come—I just need to keep believing in it.

As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Oh, and about that golf event? I hit the ball straight... straight into the trees. But hey, at least I had fun!

I often get asked why I started my real estate career now, and not when my kids were young. Well, here's the reality—when I had my first child, we were moved to Victoria. I tried to work in the field I studied in university, but it just didn’t work out. Between my baby needing me, getting sick, daycare issues, and the looming student loans, it was impossible. Add in military life with no real support system, and I had no choice but to put my career on hold.

Then we moved to Halifax—another coast, another attempt. I still had student loans and still lacked support. Every job I applied for seemed to label me as either overqualified or underqualified. We were down to one income, and it was a struggle to keep up with the financial burden.

Finally, we made the decision to move back home. The kids were still little, and I needed flexibility because my husband had left civilian work in oil and gas to return to the military. That transition came with its own set of challenges, but it was necessary for our family.

Fast forward to today—my kids are grown, we’re more financially secure, and I have the time to pursue this profession full throttle. But let me be clear: the costs are real. Realtors pay a lot for licensing, fees, advertising, fuel—everything adds up. It’s cheaper than going back to get my master’s degree, sure, but this is not a cheap profession to break into.

Starting out, I feel like a little fish in a huge pond filled with strong sharks. I’m just beginning to make ripples, hoping they’ll grow into tiny waves. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. While I want to sprint, I’ve accepted that success takes time.

I spend a lot of my time dispelling misconceptions about what being a Realtor is really like. I’m qualified to handle new home builds and licensed for all of Alberta. And if I don’t know something, I ask the “sharks.” Yes, I’m scared and stressed. Yes, it’s a lot of work. But I am the business, and I know that once people start to see me, it’ll be great.

If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s to lean on my social network, recharge when I can, and just breathe. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither is a successful real estate career. But with a little patience, a lot of hustle, and maybe the occasional glass of wine (or two), I’ll get there.

And hey, if I can survive military moves, oil and gas chaos, and raising kids, surely I can handle a few sharks in the real estate pond. Right? Right?