Each week, Ruby Assembly Consultants will bring you some of Australia and New Zealand’s best business people – from all industries and walks of life. Rather than just talking about business, we’ve thrown in a few more interesting questions too. So this week… it’s Vicki Lekanis, Senior Property Manager at Caine Real Estate, East Melbourne.

1. What makes your business magical, setting you apart from other competitors?

Passion, if you love what you do then you will succeed. I had a clear vision which remains my personal goal today; to provide all my clients with a stress-free real estate experience through knowledge, expertise and personalised service each and every time.

Growing our rental business organically, has allowed me to build relationships with all our clients and to ensure that all our clients know we are only a phone call away and more importantly that I take the stress off their hands.

2. What is your maddest business ninja skill?

My maddest skill would be that I can relate and develop a relationship with most people, I’m a people person and my honesty certainly comes through. Working in real estate, I believe that you have to be likeable and be able to connect with people. I’m myself and that’s my maddest skill!

3. What was your light bulb moment, setting you into Business Ninja high-gear?

My light bulb moment came in 2007 stepping into the role as Senior Property Manager. I was fed up with hearing the negativity around property managers so I wanted to prove that property management can be a rewarding career and not just a stop gap to working in sales. it can be a thankless role but personal satisfaction hits when you know you have done your best and both tenants and landlords are happy with the outcome. Communication is crucial!

4. What is your earliest memory?

My earliest memory is dying red eggs for Greek Easter with my grandmother whilst my mother was in hospital giving birth to my little sister. We permanently dyed the spatula. I loved hearing her life stories, she’s a strong woman!

5. What would your last meal be?

I would have to say a roast, it’s warm comfort food and reminds me of dinner time with my family.

6. What Ninja Skillz do you employ to decide which business partners or team members to take on?

That’s a tough one, but I recently hired a property manager that I had been chasing for a while, over a year to be exact. I knew he would be an ideal fit to my team so I wasn’t going to settle until he worked with me. Team culture is very important to me. The interview process tells you a lot about the person, what time they arrive, what questions they have for you and I try to make it is discussion so their personality can shine through rather than the typical questions of why real estate and where you would like to be in 5 years!

7. What is your favorite sound?

Rain it’s truly peaceful!

8. Who would you love to invite to dinner?

It’s a tough…it would have to be between Muhammad Ali, who unconditionally believed in himself and is a true champion and OprahWinfrey who is the most powerful woman in the world. One of my favourite quotes from Ali is “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

9. Who has inspired you to be a better Business Ninja in life?

I have met many people in my life who have made an impact and motivated and supported me in life, some are still in my life, and others no longer but I leave that to them being my “Journey People.”  People that entered my life for a reason, and fulfilled their quest and moved on. However the one person who inspired me is my mother, she definitely pushed all us kids to be the best we can be and force us to take risks.