Residential real estate – sales, property management, marketing, admin, spanning 27 years. I was Principal Licensee of my own independent offices for 8 years between 2004 and 2012 and I’ve been a Brisbane Buyer’s Agent for 11 years (2014 to NOW).

I have been an avid property investor since 2001 when I purchased my first home at 21. I’ve built my own home on acreage, developed multi-unit sites, undertaken a joint-venture partnership to develop townhouses and renovated numerous properties. Currently my personal portfolio sits at just over $8M, with properties held in Ascot, Clayfield, Kalinga and the Sunshine Coast. (Scroll below to view the properties.)

My journey to becoming one of Brisbane’s first Independent Buyer’s Agents has been somewhat typical to any long standing career in real estate. I’ve sat in just about every seat in the real estate office. From Receptionist to Property Manager. Sales Assistant, Sales Agent, and now Buyer’s Agent. For a short time, I worked under numerous franchise names but all the while feeling a compelling sense to do things “my way”, and in 2004 at the age of 23, I co-founded my first real estate agency. 

What happened in the following six years was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. Yes, my business was successful, but I was deeply unhappy. I went through a difficult separation, was diagnosed with clinical depression and was forced to sell my business, my home, all my investments, and start again. It was an incredibly challenging time but with a lot of inner work and a huge mindset shift, I managed to turn it all around. This marked the beginning of my career as a Buyer’s Agent. It took me five years to go from bone broke to thriving once again and truly enjoying my work. Looking back, I never really had a clear purpose and my focus was on all the wrong things. 

You could say, my move into the Buyer’s Agent space somewhat saved me.

The life stories of people fascinate me and I’m a naturally curious person when it comes to humans and their behaviour. When partnering with a client, I like to believe the role I play in this part of their journey has made a life-changing impact. Securing the perfect home for a family when there was no way they could have done it on their own is incredibly fulfilling. I take great pride in going the extra mile for those who value the commitment I have to my professional work, but I also have to admit, the thrill of the deal keeps me in this game.

Turning 30 and the realisation I was broke, lacking purpose and had to start again. I would later realise this was the beginning of my new life.

There have been two. Opening my own independent real estate agency when I was 23… and 10 years later, making the leap into the emerging Buyer’s Agent space as the first solo independent female advocate. I had been employed by an agency at the time and soon realised their values mis-aligned with mine. I was nervous leaving the security of a stable salary but a good friend who believed in me said to “jump off the bridge” because I would fly. He was right.

I launched my passion project The WENDYRUSSELL Institute in 2024 — an education platform for boutique business owners and women in real estate.

Lazy days at the beach. My husband Ben and my dogs, heavenly Slick, heavenly Samson and Lex.

My dad. He has been an unwavering support and silent cheerleader throughout my life, and I’m incredibly inspired by his drive to live a life of purpose well into his 80’s.

Champagne. Luxury travel. Christian Louboutin heels and Dior.

Ben and I split our time between Brisbane and our holiday home on the Sunshine Coast. I’m drawn to the finer things in life but in complete contrast, a humble upbringing in Gladstone, North Queensland often sees me escaping to the beach with a fishing rod.

Despite my seemingly outward persona, I’m an introvert at heart.

I am often asked if I plan to expand my agency and build a team. This is not somewhere I want to take my business. My intention was always to stay niche and boutique.

I much prefer working 1:1 with a client because this way, I can provide a more personal service that larger agencies struggle to deliver.

This is why I limit my clients to 5 buyers at any one time, and interview all potential clients for suitability.