Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, President of Stribling & Associates, one of the most highly regarded residential real estate firms in Manhattan, shares how she got her start in real estate and the favorite parts of her job. Elizabeth received the Master Networker award at the 18th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference last year along with Stribling & Associates who won the award for Best Website.
How did you get your start in real estate? I grew up in a real estate family. My mother started her own brokerage when I was 10 months old, which I am now president of and she is chairman. The famous story is how my mother got a call on the way to the hospital to have me. She told the buyers she was on her way, and they instantly said we will take the apartment. I think that sort of sealed my ultimate path into the industry although this was not apparent to me until after college. I wanted to forge my own way and really thought I wanted to be in the culinary world. I realized fairly quickly it wasn't for me, and I got a job working as an assistant to a top broker in San Francisco through a colleague and friend of my mother's through Luxury Real Estate, Anita Head. So I can happily thank this organization for assisting my entrance into my career.
What path has your career taken? I spent two years in San Francisco as assistant to Mary Lou Castellanos, a well-known and top broker. It was a tremendous time for me, and I learned such an amazing amount of knowledge. I couldn't have had a better start to real estate. I returned to New York at 24 to join Stribling as an agent. I have been quite lucky to have been in multiple segments of the company which allows me to better understand the daily operations, brokerage issues and brand positioning. I have worked onsite in a 450 unit development as well as been the Director of Sales as my career progressed. What I love about this industry is that every day a new situation comes up and past experiences in a myriad of positions has given me a solid foundation to rely upon as well as the distinct pleasure of getting to work with my mother and an incredible management team as a true round table.
Why is your company successful? First and foremost, one must be aware of what they do best and who they are as a company. It is important to focus on what you do best. It is not possible to be everything and everywhere for everyone. If you are going in to many varying directions you cannot have a path. We are a family company, and that permeates throughout our 300 plus agents. It is imperative to us to have a company where the atmosphere is one of collegiality and integrity. Everyone who works at Stribling has our name on their card, and it is crucial that they share the same business values as we do. We have built a company on reputation and referrals. You cannot be solely focused on closing the deal at hand and getting the one check - there needs to be a long term forward thinking plan of respect and good brokerage. Our motto is work hard and be honest. And for me personally I think one has the greatest success when they can answer a question with "I do not know, but I will find out." There is no shame in not knowing the answer. It is important that you get it right the first time.
What are your favorite parts of your job? There are so many. I am excited to go to work every day! We wear so many hats in real estate as agent, therapist, financial planner, teacher and friend. Something new presents itself all the time and I love the uncertainty of what the day will bring. And for me, I love being around, working with and learning from my agents. I don't have a private office and no one answers my phone for me. I sit at a regular desk and am not holed away from the daily on goings at the company. I also get to work in the greatest city on earth. I am a fourth generation New Yorker, and I love the city I am proud to call my home. Stribling has the distinct privilege of getting to represent some of the finest homes in New York City, and one can never judge a building from the exterior. There are so many hidden gems in this city of 8 million. And lastly and most importantly I get to work as a partner and equal with my mother every day. I grew up with an incredible and inspirational mother in my life. I strive to be 1/10 of the business and personal woman she is and I am so proud to call her my mother and colleague.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? It is hard to get away from work in the world on total connectivity! But for a born and bred New York City kid, I am surprisingly quite passionate about fishing. I try to make sure that every vacation incorporates an element of fish whether it be surf casting, fly fishing or sitting at a pond with a rod. I also have a thirst for travel. I am happiest discovering a new place and destination whether it be a quick weekend trip to New Orleans or 10 days in Asia and the South Pacific which I am planning for later this year. The greatest downtime for me outside of work is a weekend evening with friends cooking a fabulous dinner, opening a great bottle of red wine and perhaps playing a game of contact rummy or even Yahtzee. One is always on the move and dashing about in this industry, so I am quite lucky to have a great group of friends and family to spend time relaxing, fishing and traveling in order to take time and enjoy life with.