#iwd2023 Polly Markus
International Women's Day is a day to recognise the achievements of women globally and to celebrate the progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality. The day is a reminder that we should all strive to create a world in which everyone has the same opportunities and rights, regardless of gender.
We celebrated by hosting a yoga class and smoothie bowls for the women of our community, and invited four inspirational women to share their stories with us.
You may know Polly from either one of her successes, she’s a top Bayleys real estate agent, as well as Miss Polly’s Kitchen, her side-hustle turned almost full-time job which provides followers with the most delicious recipe inspo at home.
What was the key moment that ignited your fire and kicked off your journey (into what you are doing now?)
Moving home from the boats and having no idea what I wanted to do, my dad had just passed away and the only qualification I had was my real estate papers.
I think losing my dad was a key moment in realising we don’t have all the time in the world and perhaps I throw myself in the deep end as more of a distraction from the real world (whether that’s a good thing or a bad, I still don’t know), I had worked in residential previously but a friend of mine said I should try commercial real estate out as we didn’t have to give up our weekends!, so I thought I’d give it a shot and that was 7 years ago now.
Fast forward a few years, after despising cooking from years working on the boats, COVID hit, and being stuck at home as well as my real estate work dropping off the face of the earth, I reignited my love for cooking and that was the start of Miss Pollys Kitchen.
Nearly three years on, I now have two almost full time jobs and love them both, still trying to master the juggle but for now that is me.
What is your best advice in overcoming your biggest doubts and fears when starting a business or when starting out a new pursuit?
Sleep on it, do NOT make any big decisions when you are feeling overwhelmed. Talk to people but don’t take everyone’s advice as gospel.
How did you get over that feeling of “I’m not qualified enough, good enough, experienced enough?”
It’s hard to not listen to that negative inner voice within us, but I try and remind myself that it’s better to try and fail then not ever attempt it at all and always wonder what if? I’m a pretty driven person and always try and back myself even though that’s easier said than done. At the end of the day if we don’t believe in ourselves it’s hard to sell what we wanting to achieve to others.
Would you say you had to work harder for the same things or do things differently from male counterparts?
I definitely feel like I have to prove myself in certain situations, I think men generally have more confidence which I do find admirable.
Woman however have a better eye for detail which I think pays off in so many aspects of business that men just can’t compete with.
How do you empower other women or younger girls through your work?
I hope it’s by showing that if you work hard and stay true to yourself and your beliefs you can do what you set out to achieve.
Trying not to take life too seriously, its tough enough as it is and I think we need to stop and take a moment to stop and appreciate the things around us.
What does equality look like to you?
A place where both woman and men feel like there is no us vs them, and an environment where everyone can make their own choices both in and out of the business world without any discrimination.
What is something you would change about it if you could? What can we do to make that change?
Continue to work on it through conversation and educating the younger generation, and also having the confidence to pull people up when it’s required.
Who is a woman you look up to or aspire to?
I find it really hard to pin point this, My mum inspires me as does my sister. I also have lots of amazing friends doing some incredible stuff - and I must admit I want to be New Zealand’s Nigella Lawson – well the cooking part at least!
What’s something that makes you feel empowered, or a specific example of something you’ve done?
Achieving something that I only ever dreamed of (publishing a cookbook).
Being the top female commercial agent at Bayleys after 4 years of being there.
