Tina Joa

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?

When I decided to become a REALTOR®, I knew there would be a lot to learn, but nothing could have prepared me for the depth of knowledge and experience I would gain in my first four months. It's been a whirlwind—not of sales, but of learning. More than any book or exam could have taught me, I’ve had to dive headfirst into the complexities of this business.

I'm no stranger to being thrown into the deep end. As a former swim instructor, I know the importance of building skills step by step. Ironically, though, that’s not how I’ve had to approach real estate. I’ve had to learn quickly, adapt on the fly, and navigate a sea of information that extends far beyond just opening doors to homes.

When I chose my brokerage, I was drawn not only to their impressive track record but also to their Academy, where new agents like me could ask all our "dumb" questions and get the answers we needed. This support system has been invaluable, but I soon realized that the glamorous image of a REALTOR®’s life, often depicted as simply showing beautiful homes, was just the surface. Beneath it lies a mountain of contracts, negotiations, and networking that I had to master.

Coming from the retail makeup industry, where guiding clients to the right product was my daily mission, I thought I had the client-hunting skills down. But real estate is different. It’s not about guiding clients to a specific product anymore; it’s about guiding them through one of the most significant decisions of their lives. This requires more than just knowledge; it requires empathy, patience, and the ability to be a steady hand in the midst of chaos.

There are moments, I’ll admit, when fear and stress creep in—moments when I wonder if I’ll be lost in the sea of voices that make up this industry. But I try to remind myself of what those who know me best have told me: I’m the calm force in the chaos. That’s my strength, and it’s what I bring to my clients every day.

Moving forward, I plan to share monthly updates about my journey as a new REALTOR®. Through the highs and lows, the fears and triumphs, and everything in between, I hope to provide an authentic glimpse into what it takes to build a career in this dynamic field. I invite you to join me on this journey, learn alongside me, and perhaps find inspiration in the challenges and successes that lie ahead.

As I continue this path, I’m committed to ongoing education, to mastering the art of real estate, and to being that reliable, calming presence for my clients. The road ahead may be challenging, but it's a journey I'm excited to embark upon with all of you.

"You don’t have to be fearless; just don’t let fear stop you." – Charlie Day