Hayley Van de Ven knows a thing or two about perseverance, starting her career as a receptionist and powering on to become one of Australia's most influential women in property.
The Brisbane real estate agent has more than two decades of experience and is the director of the Limitless Group, which consistently ranks among the REMAX network’s top offices nationally.
It’s a key reason why Ms Van de Ven has become the winner of the Most Influential Woman in Property Award at the 2025 REA Excellence Awards.
“I was completely blown away,” she said. “I was up against some incredible women, so it never crossed my mind that I’d win. It’s an extraordinary honour.”
For Ms Van de Ven, the award is not a personal victory as much as a platform and one she intends to use with purpose. Influence, she says, only matters if it creates impact.
“There’s no point in having a trophy in the cabinet; it has to mean something,” she said.
It’s that outlook that has shaped a career built on people first, then property. Ms Van de Ven entered real estate at 17 as a receptionist and climbed through the ranks, eventually joining the REMAX Australia team as a franchise development manager.
Hayley Van de Ven is the director of the Limitless Group within REMAX Australia. Picture: Supplied
Two years in, she became a mother and reassessed her priorities due to the constant travel needed for the role. So, she and her husband took the leap and bought their first office in April 2016.
Along the way, Ms Van de Ven said the biggest lesson has been deceptively simple: real estate is about people.
“Your business isn’t about property, it’s about people,” she said. “We’ve always built our culture around people before profit, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to grow the way we have.”
It’s a perspective that has helped the Limitless Group grow over the years and carve out a solid reputation for performance among its peers. However, growth has come with personal challenges.
Ms Van de Ven has worked in the real estate industry for more than two decades. Picture: Supplied
One of the most defining moments of her career came from a crisis close to home rather than a deal or expansion.
As a business owner, she faced a situation where one of her team members was suicidal and needed immediate support. Unsure how to respond, she turned to RISE, the real estate industry’s mental health support service.
“They helped me in real time,” she said.
“A psychologist called me that night and walked me through what to do, and called again the next day. Having somewhere to turn was crucial.”
That experience prompted her to join the board of RISE, driven by a desire to extend the same lifeline to others.
“There’s an energy problem in our industry,” she said. “So many people are struggling. If my profile can encourage even one person to reach out for help, that’s influence used for good.”
Her commitment to lifting others extends well beyond mental health.
Ms Van de Ven is passionate about female leadership, not as a slogan but as a practical responsibility. She believes many women in real estate underestimate what they’re capable of.
Ms Van de Ven wants to use this award to have an impact on areas such as mental health and women in leadership. Picture: Supplied
“Often they just need someone to see them,” she said. “They just need someone to believe in them before they believe in themselves.”
Mentorship has played a critical role in her own journey, crediting former bosses and mentors for their patience and support through professional and personal lows, including the loss of her mother in 2019.
“There were times I probably should have been fired,” she said.
“I wasn’t always focused, I even floated for a while. But those experiences taught me empathy and that you can’t lead people with a cookie-cutter approach.
“Sometimes people need a hug, sometimes they need a push, and very often, what’s happening at work is really about what’s happening at home.”
Ms Van de Ven says the perfect work-life balance is a myth. Picture: Supplied
Ms Van de Ven is also quick to reject the idea of the perfect work-life balance. As a business leader and a mother of two boys, she is frank about the trade-offs.
“Work-life balance is a myth,” she said. “Some days you’re giving 110% at work, and other days you’re on the sidelines at sport.”
“The key is giving yourself permission and letting go of guilt.”
It’s that realism paired with ambition that helps drive her forward. Ms Van de Ven is excited about a year of deliberate growth ahead, including expansion into new markets. But even as the business scales, her focus remains unchanged.
“If influence means anything, it’s the opportunity to leave the industry better than you found it,” she said.
“If that’s one woman feeling seen, or one person reaching out for help, that’s enough. That’s impact.”
If this story has raised concerns for you or someone you know, support is available:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
- Emergency services – 000 if there is immediate danger
- Rise – 1800 808 374
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