After a successful 13-year career in real estate sales, Angela Avgerinos made the unexpected decision to step away at the peak of her career. Rather than chasing greater success, she chose a different path—empowering other agents from the sidelines.

In a deeply personal episode of Courageous Conversations with host Leanne Pilkington, Angela shares her journey from successful agent to corporate leader.

Angela also discusses her difficult decision to prioritise family before transitioning to corporate leadership.

Her journey took a further unexpected turn when she discovered a lump shortly after joining Laing+Simmons—leading to a cancer diagnosis that would test her resilience and transform her perspective on life and work.

“Sometimes the best opportunities come from the hardest decisions.” – Angela Avgerinos

1. 
   
2. How Angela’s 30-year real estate career evolved from reception to sales to corporate leadership
   Timestamp: 01:48
   
3. The challenges of balancing a successful sales career with family responsibilities
   Timestamp: 03:09
   
4. Why Angela made the difficult decision to leave sales when things were going well
   Timestamp: 03:45
   
5. How Angela discovered a lump in her breast shortly after joining Laing+Simmons
   Timestamp: 07:45
   
6. Angela’s initial reluctance to seek medical attention and how Leanne’s persistence made a difference
   Timestamp: 08:15
   
7. The rapid progression from diagnosis to treatment and the impact on Angela’s life
   Timestamp: 11:45
   
8. The overwhelming support Angela received from the Laing+Simmons network during treatment
   Timestamp: 13:15
   
9. How Angela struggled with her changing appearance during cancer treatment
   Timestamp: 14:30
   
10. The importance of consistency and prospecting in real estate success
    Timestamp: 17:45
    
11. Angela’s current health status and a renewed perspective on life and business
    Timestamp: 19:45
    

Laing+Simmons
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This episode is part of the Courageous Conversations series, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Angela Avgerinos, Network Performance Manager at Laing+Simmons, shares her professional journey and personal health battle.

A 30-Year Career Journey in Real Estate
Angela Avgerinos has accumulated 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, working across various roles from reception to sales and now corporate leadership. She emphasises the value of starting at the front desk and working your way up, noting that many successful business owners—particularly women—began their careers in administrative roles. This career progression provides a comprehensive understanding of the industry that proves invaluable in leadership positions.

The Difficult Decision to Step Away from Sales
Despite finding success as a sales agent with 13 years of active selling experience, Angela made the difficult decision to leave this role to prioritise her family. She shares the challenge of finding balance as a working mother and acknowledges that “sometimes giving up when things are great is probably the best time and also not the easiest thing to accept.” This courageous choice led her to corporate roles where she could support others’ success from the sidelines, something she found immensely fulfilling.

Facing a Health Crisis
Shortly after joining Laing+Simmons in March, Angela discovered a lump in her breast. Despite knowing the importance of early detection, she initially avoided getting tested—a decision she now recognises as “silly.” Leanne’s persistent encouragement, including strategically seating Angela next to a breast cancer survivor at an event, eventually convinced her to seek medical attention.

When Angela received her diagnosis on April 6th, her life changed dramatically. Within 48 hours of the call, she was sitting in a treatment chair, beginning chemotherapy. The experience taught her about a different kind of strength—one that emerges when you have to “dig deep” through difficult circumstances.

Finding Support in Unexpected Places
One of the most touching aspects of Angela’s story is the overwhelming support she received from the Laing+Simmons network despite having met only a fraction of the franchise owners before her diagnosis. For nearly 40 days, she received daily deliveries and personalised gifts. Franchise owners reached out, with one even dedicating a cancer charity ride to her. This outpouring of love gave her strength during a challenging time.

Identity, Appearance, and Acceptance
Angela speaks candidly about her struggle with losing her hair during treatment, describing it as a loss of identity. As someone who prided herself on her thick, beautiful hair, this change was particularly difficult. In a characteristic attempt to maintain control, she purchased a wig before treatment even began—though she ultimately didn’t wear it.

With humour, she notes the irony that her naturally grey hair is now growing back dark, an unexpected silver lining. This experience has taught her to accept things she cannot control and find strength in vulnerability.

Lessons for Real Estate Professionals
Throughout the conversation, Angela offers valuable insights for real estate professionals. She emphasises the importance of consistency in prospecting, noting that successful agents “never drop the ball.” She cautions against letting ego interfere with the consistent work required for ongoing success, observing that many agents fail to achieve their goals simply because they’re “not on their A-game.”

Angela encourages listeners not to wait for a life-altering event to make positive changes in their business and personal lives. She also highlights the importance of seeking help when facing challenges, reminding everyone that “there’s always someone who’s been through it.”

A New Perspective
Today, Angela is doing well and continuing maintenance treatment with a positive outlook. Her recent trip to Dubai proved to her that she was “making excuses” about her fitness and capabilities post-treatment. Walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily in 40-degree heat showed her she was stronger than she thought.

Her experience has reinforced the importance of pushing through difficulties, whether in health or business. As she points out, anything worth being proud of is difficult—”the things that come easy don’t make you proud.”

Summary
Angela Avgerinos’ journey demonstrates the power of resilience, vulnerability, and community support in overcoming life’s unexpected challenges. Her willingness to share her story openly provides valuable lessons about prioritising health, seeking help when needed, and maintaining consistency in business practices.

Her message to listeners is clear: don’t wait for a crisis to make positive changes in your life, be mindful of your health, and remember that the most significant growth often comes from facing our greatest challenges.

1. Who is Angela Avgerinos?
Angela Avgerinos is the Network Performance Manager at Laing+Simmons with 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. She previously worked as a sales agent for 13 years before transitioning to corporate roles.

2. What made Angela decide to leave her successful career in real estate sales?
Angela made the difficult decision to leave sales to prioritise her family, finding it challenging to balance her career with her responsibilities as a mother of two daughters.

3. When did Angela join Laing+Simmons?
Angela joined Laing+Simmons in March, approximately six months before this podcast was recorded.

4. What health challenge did Angela face shortly after joining Laing+Simmons?
Shortly after joining Laing+Simmons, Angela discovered a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

5. How did Leanne Pilkington help Angela during her health crisis?
Leanne persistently encouraged Angela to get tested after she mentioned finding a lump, even strategically seating her next to a breast cancer survivor at an event to provide additional encouragement.

6. How quickly did Angela begin treatment after her diagnosis?
Angela began treatment extremely quickly—she was sitting in a treatment chair receiving chemotherapy just 48 hours after receiving her diagnosis.

7. What kind of support did Angela receive from the Laing+Simmons network?
Despite having met only a small portion of the franchise owners, Angela received overwhelming support from the network, including nearly 40 days of deliveries and personalised gifts, messages of encouragement, and even a franchise owner dedicating a cancer charity ride to her.

8. What aspect of her cancer treatment did Angela find particularly challenging?
Angela found losing her hair particularly difficult as she considered it part of her identity. She noted that her naturally grey hair is now growing back dark after treatment.

9. What advice does Angela offer to real estate professionals about consistency?
Angela emphasises the importance of consistent prospecting, noting that successful agents never “drop the ball” even when they have active listings. She cautions against letting her ego interfere with the consistent work required for success.

10. What is Angela’s current health status?
Angela is doing well and continuing maintenance treatment with a positive outlook. She recently travelled to Dubai and discovered she was stronger than she thought, walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily in 40-degree heat.