In the business world, the path to success is often filled with twists and challenges. A young individual from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has successfully built a substantial real estate intermediary team named “IQI SIFU SABAH Property team.” The founder of this team has not only achieved remarkable success in the real estate industry but has also made significant contributions to social work. Let’s delve into his story, unveil the secrets of his success, and understand how he created a dream team.

From Small Businesses to Real Estate: Focusing on the Team’s Future

The entrepreneurial journey of real estate intermediary Stev Yap was far from ordinary. He previously worked as an event planner and later transitioned to working as a wholesale mobile phone salesman. However, unwilling to settle for mediocrity, he ventured into entrepreneurship after several years of work. He managed up to four phone stores, a toy shop, and a clothing store. However, during the peak of his business endeavors, he realized that the costs of running these stores were rising while profits remained stagnant. Simultaneously, the mobile phone business was scaling down due to increasing costs. It was during this period that he recognized the importance of developing a team-oriented industry for long-term stability. He began exploring direct sales and the insurance sector. In April 2019, he stumbled upon IQI Realty, a real estate company that prioritized team development. After thorough consideration, he decided to join IQI Realty, a team-focused real estate company, fully immersing himself in the real estate industry. For him, this transition wasn’t just a career change but also a shift in mindset, allowing him to focus exclusively on one industry.

Establishing IQI SIFU SABAH Property team: Rising Above the Competition

Shortly after fully immersing himself in the real estate intermediary industry, an unexpected global pandemic, the COVID-19 outbreak, occurred in 2020. The government subsequently imposed movement restrictions. While this sudden announcement left many feeling disheartened and uncertain about the future, Stev saw an opportunity. He believed that the real estate industry was highly competitive and required the creation of a brand to stand out. The movement restrictions provided him with a time window to establish his brand, “SIFU SABAH Property.” He aimed to offer an alternative for those interested in the real estate business, thereby creating a unique identity for himself and his team. Stev spared no expense on advertising and even purchased radio airtime to promote his brand, enhancing his and his team’s credibility.

Focus on Goals and Mindset: Keys to Success

Stev’s philosophy is simple: don’t overcomplicate things and don’t hesitate—take action to see results. He emphasizes that the real estate industry doesn’t require substantial capital, so there’s no need to worry about the worst-case scenario. He encourages team members to see themselves as personal brands, and he emphasizes that investing in building a strong personal brand is essential to stand out in a highly competitive environment. No effort means no reward.

Facing Difficulties and Challenges

Stev has also faced difficulties and challenges. He believes that every industry has its problems, and choosing an industry means overcoming those challenges to achieve greater success. He suggests that maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. When people encounter problems they can’t solve and allow it to affect their mood, it leads to a negative cycle, compounding the issues. Therefore, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, promptly adjusting one’s mood, and not letting one problem affect the handling of the next. A clear goal helps maintain a stable mindset, enabling individuals to positively confront upcoming challenges.

Dealing with Clients: Care and Resonance

In handling clients’ properties, Stev treats their properties as his own, aligning their needs with his. He strives to provide more value than the average real estate intermediary, with the goal of building trust and ensuring a worry-free property transaction. He believes that intermediaries should provide added value rather than focusing solely on their commissions.

Team Success: Leadership, Support, and Common Goals

Today, IQI SIFU SABAH Property team has grown to over 200 members. Leading such a large team requires unwavering commitment and leading by example, according to Stev. He believes that leaders must lead by example and persevere. He gives an example that he consistently holds training sessions, regardless of the number of attendees, as consistency garners support. The team’s core values are clear: personal success must translate into collective success, and team members must be valued. The primary goal is straightforward—motivating team members to pursue larger objectives.

Education and Action: Cultivating a Successful Team

Stev admits that his team’s approach to education is unconventional. When a new member joins his team, he doesn’t immediately teach them skills but focuses on adjusting their mindset and goals. He emphasizes the need to be passionate about the industry, as clients won’t trust someone who doesn’t identify as a professional real estate intermediary. He encourages aspiring individuals, including team members, to have grand visions and goals and to prioritize personal development alongside professional skills.

Proof of Success

At IQI Realty, Stev was named the National Best Newcomer in 2019 and achieved outstanding sales rankings in the real estate field. Additionally, he excelled in social work, serving as the Youth Leader of the Sabah Nan Ann Association, Youth committee at United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu, Youth committee at Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Association and etc.

Conclusion

Stev’s story teaches us that the key to success lies in clear goals, unwavering beliefs, a stable mindset, and care for both the team and clients. True success is achieved when everyone succeeds together.