Q&A with Sean Burke, our new Business Development Manager

The Point Property team recently welcomed Sean Burke as our new Business Development Manager. Sean comes from a business brokerage background and kindly shared how he got into Business Development and what attracted him to the role at Point.

How did you get into Business Development?

I started a window cleaning business in my twenties while I was pursuing an acting career that eventually moved me to Australia. After 9/11, opportunities dried up in Sydney, so I went into full-time sales. I initially sold books, then distillation systems, and eventually learned the intricacies of environmental stack testing through a friend’s business in New Zealand. I was gearing up to work for them in sales when things took a U-turn. I ended up spending the next 10 years as a Business Development Manager in the lucrative waste industry, where I focused on targeting clients for rubbish and recycling collection for multi-story buildings.

Throughout your career, what lengths have you gone to in order to make a sale?

I was having a bit of trouble selling a large contracting business, so I put a small advertisement in the regional newspaper where the business was located. The ad stated the sales price, the profit, and the asset value, along with my details. A reporter from Stuff called me wanting to know more. I directed him to the listing advert at my brokerage. He ran a nationwide story on the mystery business for sale. The long and short of it is that I received a lot of interest and a list of interested buyers who weren’t on our database. I ended up selling the business to my client’s neighbour, who had no idea it was for sale until he saw the article in Stuff, and his wife gave me a call.

Have you ever worked in the property industry before?

I’ve worked as a business broker for the last seven years, where I’ve marketed and sold businesses that include residential property and commercial leases. I’m looking forward to specialising after working with so many different types of business sales.

What attracted you to the role at Point Property Management?

What attracted me to the role at Point was the alignment between my career goals and the company’s direction. After doing my own research and listening to several of Alan Henderson’s videos on property and the group’s commitment to their clients, I was impressed by Point’s approach and values. I see it as an environment where I can grow, with opportunities for training, development, and meaningful cross-pollination with Erskine Owen. That combination makes it an exciting place to build my career, along with assisting landlords in getting the best out of their property investment.