In a world where grit and determination are often seen as the sole ingredients for success, Angela Rossi stands as a testament to the power of kindness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. Breaking through the conventional wisdom that suggests “nice people finish last,” Rossi has not only achieved remarkable success in a highly competitive industry but has also been recognized for her outstanding character and professional achievements.
At just 29 years old, Angela Rossi, an accomplished real estate professional with Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty in New Tecumseth, Ontario, has earned a coveted spot on the prestigious Coldwell Banker 30 Under 30 list for 2022. This esteemed award shines a spotlight on 30 young professionals who exemplify leadership, success, and service within the Coldwell Banker network. The selection process is rigorous, drawing from an immense talent pool of over 100,000 independent real estate professionals spanning 40 countries and territories worldwide, making Rossi’s achievement all the more significant.
Rossi attributes her rapid ascent in the real estate world to a steadfast adherence to core values: being kind, courteous, ethical, and trustworthy. For her, success isn’t just about closing deals; it’s about building lasting relationships founded on respect and transparency. “I believe I received this award because of all that,” Rossi explains, referring to her meticulous application process that included multiple video submissions detailing her professional journey, sales performance, and continuous dedication to education. Her consistent year-over-year sales growth, coupled with a commitment to ongoing learning, clearly demonstrated her passion and expertise to the selection committee.
Angela’s journey of recognition began even before her 30 Under 30 accolade. From 2019 to 2022, she consistently received international awards, underscoring her exceptional performance and growing influence in the global real estate community. Her transaction history paints a vivid picture of sustained growth and remarkable productivity: 18 transactions in 2018, followed by 20 in 2019, an impressive 28 in 2020, 24 in 2021, and 22 in 2022. These figures, which do not even include referrals, highlight her consistent ability to generate business and serve a diverse client base. Furthermore, her year-to-date volume of over $9 million speaks volumes about the quality and scale of properties she handles, cementing her status as a top-tier agent.
Angela Rossi’s decision to enter real estate was driven by a clear vision for her professional life. She sought a career that was “rapidly changing,” dynamic, and intellectually stimulating, allowing her to constantly adapt and evolve. Crucially, she desired a profession that placed her directly “in front of people,” fostering personal connections rather than confining her to a desk behind a computer. The appeal of being her own boss, charting her own course, and controlling her future resonated deeply with her entrepreneurial spirit. Above all, Rossi simply loves sales, a passion that has been a defining characteristic of her life since childhood.
Indeed, Rossi’s affinity for sales is not a recent development. It’s a skill she honed from a tender age of 13, where she routinely outsold her three sisters, brother, and even her mother at her mother’s home décor store. This early exposure to commerce and client interaction laid a strong foundation for her future career. Her professional journey then led her through stints in the retail and culinary worlds, providing diverse experiences in customer service and business operations. Aspiring to a global career, she pursued international business school at Seneca College in Toronto, envisioning a future filled with international sales opportunities and worldwide travel, immersing herself in different cultures. However, upon earning her degree, she found the job market challenging, with opportunities for her dream career scarce.
This unexpected turn led her into the telecommunications sector, where her natural leadership abilities quickly saw her rise to a managerial position. Despite her success, Rossi soon realized that the industry offered limited room for upward mobility and personal growth. It was at this juncture that her older sister, recognizing Angela’s untapped potential and dissatisfaction with a repetitive job, strongly encouraged her to consider real estate. Taking this advice to heart, Rossi enrolled in a real estate course, diligently completing it within a year while maintaining her full-time telecommunications job. This period demonstrated her incredible work ethic and unwavering commitment to professional advancement, preparing her for the demanding world of real estate.
Upon entering the real estate arena, Rossi quickly grasped a fundamental truth: “It’s sink or swim.” Real estate is not a part-time endeavor; it demands total dedication. As a new agent with limited resources, she embraced cost-effective marketing strategies, primarily cold calling and door knocking. While cold calling proved to be less fruitful, door knocking emerged as a game-changer. Being physically present, engaging with potential clients face-to-face, made all the difference. This direct interaction allowed people to witness her confident body language, perceive the honesty and integrity in her eyes, and truly connect with her. It provided her with the invaluable opportunity to articulate her commitment to going “above and beyond” for her clients, promising to make their real estate transactions as smooth, easy, and stress-free as possible.
One of Rossi’s initial challenges was the absence of an extensive local network. Unlike many agents who benefit from a large sphere of influence through extended family, Angela only had her siblings in the immediate area. This meant she had to build her network from the ground up, a task she approached with relentless determination. “I have worked very hard to build relationships and focus on networking to maximize opportunities and exposure,” she shares. She proactively befriended other agents in her office, Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty – an office she joined in 2018 and where she has remained ever since. Demonstrating her collaborative spirit, she offered assistance, telling colleagues, “If you have something you don’t want, send it my way. I’ll be glad to help out.” This willingness to assist not only fostered goodwill but also created opportunities for her to gain experience and build her reputation.
After securing her real estate license in June, Rossi launched her career in July, dedicating her entire first year to handling rentals. In that inaugural year, she successfully closed an impressive 38 rental transactions. While rentals typically offer smaller commissions compared to sales, Rossi recognized their long-term strategic value. She shares a crucial lesson for aspiring agents: “Rather than looking at how much (or little) rentals will bring, remember that if clients like you, they’ll remember you.” This philosophy proved prescient, as many of her rental clients were so impressed with her service that they subsequently referred her to friends and family who were looking to buy or sell properties, demonstrating the power of positive client experience.
Rossi emphasizes that rentals, despite being time-consuming and often exhausting, serve as the most affordable and effective form of networking and meeting new people. She acknowledges the difficulties inherent in this approach, including the frustration of “doors slammed on you and people swearing at you.” Yet, through it all, she maintains an optimistic “glass-half-full” perspective. For her, retaining a positive outlook is not merely a preference but a key to enduring the inevitable setbacks and challenges of the industry. This resilience and unwavering positivity are fundamental to her success, allowing her to transform difficult experiences into valuable learning opportunities and client connections.
Drawing from her rich experience, Rossi offers invaluable advice to new agents, underscoring that the path to success will not be easy. “The first battle in real estate is the battle with yourself,” she states, highlighting the internal struggle of self-doubt and the constant need to prove one’s worth. New agents must confront fundamental questions: “What makes you stand out? Why should clients hire me?” This period of self-reflection is crucial for building confidence and developing a unique value proposition. She debunks the common misconception that real estate is effortlessly lucrative. While “showing houses is easy,” she clarifies, “the hard part is finding clients, people who will let you come to their house, walk through and who value your opinion.” This emphasizes the profound importance of client acquisition and the trust-based relationships that underpin it.
In her second year, a significant opportunity arose: the chance to sell her sister’s house. This pivotal transaction helped solidify her burgeoning career, and as she puts it, “Then the wheels started rolling.” Despite her growing success, Rossi remained grounded and continued her diligent door-knocking efforts. She candidly admits that even for accomplished agents, “sometimes things slow down and you wonder where the next deal is coming from. Everyone battles the same thing.” This acknowledgement of universal challenges within the industry humanizes her journey and reinforces the idea that sustained effort, even in times of success, is paramount.
Rossi deeply values the supportive environment fostered by her brokerage, Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty. She expresses immense gratitude for the invaluable assistance provided by her colleagues and, particularly, by the broker of record, Sarah Lunn. Lunn played a crucial mentorship role, allowing Rossi to “shadow her and attend client meetings.” This hands-on learning experience was instrumental in Rossi’s professional development. “I didn’t want to be on my own,” she explains. “I wanted to learn how to protect people (clients) and how to deal with problems.” This mentorship provided her with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate complex transactions and advocate effectively for her clients.
Her expertise extends to high-value properties, with some of her notable sales including a stunning $4.15-million estate, a sprawling $3.9-million farm, and another impressive $2.87-million luxury property. Her dedication to serving affluent clientele is further evidenced by her status as a Global Luxury Certified agent, a prestigious designation achieved after completing Coldwell Banker’s intensive five-day course. This certification equips her with specialized knowledge and marketing strategies tailored to the unique demands of the luxury real estate market, allowing her to provide an unparalleled level of service to discerning buyers and sellers.
When approached by individuals considering real estate as a career, Rossi offers transparent and honest guidance. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of the profession, admitting, “It’s stressful and not easy.” However, she quickly balances this with an enthusiastic endorsement: “but it’s one of the best industries.” For those possessing the right temperament, she wholeheartedly encourages pursuing it. “If you’re the type of person who is able to hustle and keep their positivity up, I encourage people to go into real estate,” she advises, emphasizing the critical role of relentless effort and an optimistic mindset in achieving success.
Looking ahead, Angela Rossi has ambitious goals for her future. Her primary objective is to transition to working “100 percent in the global luxury market,” a segment where her skills and expertise are particularly well-suited. Simultaneously, she aims to deepen her specialization in her current niche of farming, land sales, and development, recognizing the unique opportunities and client needs within these areas. Currently serving the communities of Tottenham and New Tecumseth, she has her sights set on expanding her geographical reach to Kleinburg, a charming village just a 10-minute drive from her home in Bolton, further solidifying her presence in the affluent Greater Toronto Area real estate landscape.
Beyond professional aspirations, Rossi places immense value on personal well-being and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. “I’m proud of myself. I’m trying to manage family and work,” she shares, acknowledging the demanding nature of her profession that often leads many agents to prioritize work above all else, sometimes at the expense of personal relationships. “Many agents live for work. Many are divorced,” she notes, highlighting a common pitfall. Her personal goal is to achieve financial comfort in life, but crucially, to balance that with her family and future children. “I don’t want to lose myself,” she asserts, underscoring her commitment to preserving her identity and personal life amidst the pressures of a high-achieving career.
The Coldwell Banker 30 Under 30 award holds profound significance for Angela Rossi. “Winning the 30 Under 30 award for Coldwell Banker globally means the world to me,” she expresses with genuine emotion. The honor is amplified by the fact that she was the “only Canadian to receive this designation in 2022.” This unique distinction not only celebrates her individual accomplishments but also elevates her standing as a prominent figure in Canadian real estate on an international stage. For Angela Rossi, it is not just an award; it is a powerful affirmation of her dedication, her integrity, and the remarkable success she has achieved by staying true to herself and her clients. It is, unequivocally, an honor that inspires her to reach even greater heights.