The Blueprint x Paul Neshausen
Last semester, I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with Paul Neshausen, one of Barfoot & Thompson’s top residential brokers. Our conversation covered career pivots, social media marketing, and personal branding, Paul’s energy and enthusiasm making it unforgettable and inspirational.
Before joining Barfoot & Thompson, Paul was the country manager for Lexmark. He decided to pivot from this after waking up one morning and having an “epiphany,” realising he wanted to return to the grassroots work that he really enjoyed. When I asked what drew him to real estate, Paul explained that being his own boss and having unlimited earning potential were key motivators. “The harder I work, the better I am, the more I’ll earn,” he shared.
Paul’s passion and discipline have been instrumental in his success. “I’m driven, and I’m lucky in that sense. You can’t learn those skills—you’ve either got it or you haven’t,” he said. His exceptional talent and hard work have earned him multiple top salesperson awards at Barfoot & Thompson over the years and made him a familiar face around Auckland. “I can’t walk anywhere without running into at least ten people I know,” Paul joked.
While sharing his career path Paul shared many fascinating stories from across his career. I could not possibly fit all of them into this article however, I was able to squeeze in my favourite one. It involves an unexpected client early on in his career. As Paul recounted:
“One Monday, I was sitting in the office feeling sorry for myself—no business, no calls. Then reception rang. An elderly gentleman was inquiring about an agent. I went down, met him, and showed him an apartment on Tamaki Drive. At first, I wasn’t sure it was in his budget, but he suddenly declared, ‘I’ve just won $32 million from Lotto!’
Over the next year, he bought houses for his entire family through me. We travelled around New Zealand—Queenstown, Auckland—purchasing properties. He even fulfilled a bet with his brother-in-law by buying an Aston Martin! While shopping, he also decided to grab a red Ferrari for himself. That lucky meeting was a game-changer.”
Beyond having amazing stories from his career, Paul is known for his bold advertising. Adopting what he calls an “American approach,” Paul aims to stand out, even if it creates polarizing opinions. He explained “People either think, ‘He’s so full of himself,’ or ‘Wow, I actually believe him because I’ve worked with him,’”. This strategy has been crucial in “rising above the noise” of the competitive real estate market.
He added to this by saying that he can make these bold moves because he has an extensive track record in the industry and “the persona that they think they're going to meet versus the one they do meet, is slightly different. There's a bit more of a down to earth persona, which they like.”
A strong personal brand is essential in the industry, and Paul emphasizes the importance of first impressions. He believes people assess you within nine seconds and shared three tips to make those moments count:
Dress Appropriately: Your attire should fit the occasion, striking the right balance between professional and approachable.
Social Skills: Be polite to everyone, regardless of their role, and engage in a genuine, respectful manner.
Greeting: Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and ensure your greeting is confident and welcoming.
Going back to the beginning of his journey, I asked Paul what advice he would give his 20-year-old self. First, he stressed the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people. Explaining how they’ll be a constant source of guidance and support, when starting your career and finding your feet, people like that are invaluable.
Secondly, he encouraged young professionals to “back themselves”. The safe route will always seem attractive, but you’ll never have as many opportunities or the freedom to take risks as you do now. Capitalize on it, he advised.
Paul Neshausen’s story is a testament to the power of passion, discipline, and bold decision-making. Paul exemplifies how a strong personal brand and fearless approach can lead to unlimited success in real estate.
