After working as an ICU nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital for many years, Wendy Oleksiak turned her passion for real estate into a second career. She discovered that her nursing skills make her a proactive, dedicated, and attentive agent. A long term resident of the South Shore, Wendy is an active member of the local community, where her deep ties to the area give her unmatched local expertise. Read on to learn more about Wendy’s unique approach, and why she loves living and working on the South Shore.
What did you do before real estate and how did you get started in the business?
Prior to real estate, I was a Registered Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, working in the cardiac surgical ICU & transplant ICU. My husband and I have always followed real estate closely, and have personally owned 12 residential, commercial and investment properties. I helped my husband with his business while I raised our children. Once they flew the coop, it was the perfect time to pursue my passion for all things real estate.
What is something your clients find comfort in that makes them turn to you for their real estate needs?
Clients tell me that I am funny, energetic, and extremely responsive. Many clients ask me if they are my only client, which is how I want them to feel. My career is my lifestyle. If I’m not on the phone, computer or meeting a client, I literally don’t know how else to entertain myself!
I still utilize the same listening, planning and assessment skills that are necessary in both nursing and real estate. Prevention, rather than having to cure a problem, is what drives my day to day real estate practice. My clients know that if I promise to do something, they can consider it done. I think having a sense of trust between myself and my clients is the largest driving factor behind repeat business and referrals.
What are some of your favorite local hobbies, activities or organizations that you participate in?
We are lucky to live near the beach, and spend much of the summer meeting friends for cocktails and walks. We keep our boat on the North River, we have a few lobster traps, and we love heading out after work to check the traps and take a quick swim at The Spit with our dogs. I was a board member of the Scituate Board of Health, and a past member of SANDS: the Scituate Alliance of Natural Disaster Services. This organization assists with disaster planning and intervention, as Scituate is a town that is very prone to weather related issues. I also volunteered at the Scituate Animal Shelter and in the classroom when my children were young. I am currently Co-President of the Beacon Hill Women’s Forum, and Co-chair of the Chestnuts membership team. I am also a member of The Vincent Club, which supports women's health programs at Mass General Hospital.
What do you love most about where you live and work?
We have lived on the South Shore for more than twenty years, in several towns including Scituate, Hingham, Cohasset and Duxbury. One never tires of driving down Jerusalem Road in Cohasset, home to some of the most beautiful estates on the South Shore. There are many different beaches in the surrounding towns, and many ocean related events including the Island Creek Oyster Festival, sailboat racing, paddleboarding, and our favorite: the Levitate Music Festival.
Favorite spots in Cohasset/the South Shore?
The Trustees of Reservations own a number of properties that are open to the public for hikes, mountain biking, birdwatching and more. We love hiking with our dogs – my personal favorite spot is World's End. Mary Lou's has the best coffee in the area, and there's terrific shopping in both the downtown Cohasset boutiques and at Derby Street in Hingham.
What are three sources of joy in your week?
As Forrest Gump's Mama said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'" That pretty much sums up a career in real estate. I love that I never know what is next. A phone call can lead to an exciting project, or a conversation with a past customer who wants to share recent updates in their lives. I love to mentor my team, I get a lot of satisfaction watching the agents on my team have success with their clients.
Get in touch with Wendy at 781-267-0400 or wendyo@gibsonsir.com.
