Cork estate agent: ‘I hope my dad would be proud of what we’ve built’

From the outside, people often see the awards, achievements, and public side of a business and assume everything comes easily – but the reality is very different.

So says Majella Galvin, the first female Chartered Estate Agent in West Cork, who along with her sister, Caroline, found herself at the helm of her family business after the death of her father Michael, who founded the estate agents 45 years ago.

“Like everyone, I have faced challenges. Losing Dad was one of the hardest experiences of my life. It was a huge personal loss, but it was also a major professional change,” said Majella.

“For decades, people came into the office asking for Michael. He was the heart of the business, and while Caroline and I always hoped we would continue the family business one day, we never expected that responsibility to come so quickly or in such difficult circumstances,” she admitted.

And while Majella has always had a huge passion for the business, property and people, she said there’s “a big difference between working in a family business and suddenly carrying the responsibility of protecting something your parents built over decades”.

“Running your own business is incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with huge responsibility,” she added.

“When you own a business, you never completely switch off. You are responsible for your clients, your team, your reputation, and the future of something you have invested so much of yourself into.

“There are many unseen parts of running a business — the early mornings, late evenings, constant learning, adapting to changes, and always looking for ways to improve. Success does not happen by accident; it comes from consistency, resilience and hard work,” said Majella.

Highly innovative, she is always looking at better ways to do things, and created Ireland’s first Property Clinic.

“I saw how overwhelmed people could feel when buying or selling a home, often because they simply did not understand what happens next. The Property Clinic brought together a panel of trusted professionals, including solicitors, mortgage advisers, engineers, home stagers and other property experts, to answer questions and provide guidance,” said Majella, who is Vice Chair of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) Residential Professional Group.

Majella recently underwent surgery, which meant taking some time to recover and step back from the business briefly.

“That experience reminded me that, while I love my work, looking after yourself is important too. I still work hard and remain passionate about what I do, but I now make more time for walking, golf and taking time to recharge.

“During that period, Caroline was incredible. She kept everything running and gave me complete peace of mind because I knew our clients were in safe hands.

“Caroline and I are very different — we are chalk and cheese — but that is exactly why we work so well together. She is calm, responsible and organised, and she is the steady force behind the business. She oversees so much of the day-to-day running, including rentals and property management. I am probably more focused on sales, marketing, innovation, and building relationships. She is my sister, but she is also my rock in business.”

Estate agency is a competitive industry and, although things have improved, it is still traditionally male-dominated, Majella says.

“I recently received a call from someone looking for a valuation who specifically asked for ‘the man in the office’ to carry it out. I met the client myself, completed the valuation, and they were delighted with the service. Moments like that remind me why qualifications and experience matter.”

The Bandon woman won this year’s Network West Cork Networker of the Year award, which she described as a ‘special moment.’

“I was genuinely shocked on the night. I am usually not lost for words, but I really was. Standing on stage, my first thought was: ‘If only Dad was here now.’ I know how proud he would have been.

“When I joined Network Ireland six years ago, I thought I knew very little about networking. But looking back now, I realise I had probably been networking my whole life — I just never called it networking. Some of my favourite childhood memories are going on property viewings with my Dad. I thought we were looking at houses, but really we were meeting people.

“Dad always had time for everyone. He knew people by name, remembered their families, and genuinely enjoyed helping them. He taught me one lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career: give people time.

“Every day when I walk into the office, my eyes naturally wander towards what was Dad’s office. I think about him every day, and I hope he’d be proud of what Caroline and I have built. I think he would be.”

Majella Galvin’s networking tips

To me, networking is simply about people. It is about meeting others, having conversations, sharing ideas and supporting one another.

My top five tips are:

1. Be yourself and be authentic

People connect with genuine people. You do not need to be the loudest person in the room — you simply need to be yourself.

2. Be curious about others

Good networking is about listening. Ask questions, understand people, and take an interest in their story.

3. Build relationships, not transactions

The strongest connections are built over time and based on trust.

4. Introduce people to each other.

One of the most valuable things you can do is connect people who may be able to support each other.

5. Follow up and keep showing up

A simple message, phone call, or coffee after meeting someone can turn a conversation into a meaningful relationship.

Ultimately, whether in business or networking, my approach is the same: Treat people well. Give people your time. Build relationships based on trust.

I have never built my career by simply selling houses. I have built it by building relationships, sharing knowledge, and helping people through important moments in their lives.