Leading by Example: Rebecca Donatelli’s Real Estate Revolution

On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Rebecca Donatelli!

To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…

Here’s what you missed from Rebecca Donatelli…

Rebecca has been in the real estate industry for over nine years. She started her career with an independent company before transitioning to SBE International Realty after seven years. Interestingly, she never planned to enter the real estate field. With a background in education and math, Rebecca was encouraged by her mother to explore real estate, which ultimately led her to where she is today.

Rebecca shares how her approach to social media evolved throughout her career. She didn’t start using social media for business until the end of her first year in real estate. When she began, platforms like Instagram lacked many of the features available today, such as reels and trending audio. Instead, she focused on sharing personal experiences and glimpses into her daily life, which naturally attracted followers. Rebecca emphasized the importance of being authentic, stating that “people want to know what you’re doing and they want the behind-the-scenes.” By engaging with local businesses and building relationships online, she found success in sharing more than just real estate content, blending her professional and personal life.

Next, Rebecca’s current social media strategy revolves around blending different types of content. While there isn’t a “right or wrong way,” she recognizes the growing importance of video content due to algorithm changes. Rebecca has been leaning more into video creation, integrating aspects of her real estate life with personal anecdotes and interests. She acknowledges the shift towards video as a necessary adaptation in today’s social media landscape.

Outside of her professional life, Rebecca describes herself as a “die-hard, suffering Browns fan forever” and has a deep passion for all things Cleveland. She’s also obsessed with coffee, so much so that her absence of it during a Zoom meeting raised questions. Humorously, she explained she wasn’t drinking coffee that day because she was sick.

Rebecca then stresses the importance of real estate agents providing real value. According to her, “if you don’t provide any real value, people won’t see it.” She focuses on engaging with both clients and fellow Realtors, many of whom follow her on social media across the country. Rebecca’s involvement extends beyond transactions—she contributes to industry changes and serves on her state’s executive committee, where she helped finalize buyer agency agreements.

Rebecca has held various leadership roles, including serving as the local president two years ago. She understands the balance between leadership and selling real estate, recognizing the need to stay visible and involved in the industry. For Rebecca, leadership isn’t just about holding a title but about showing up and engaging actively. She emphasized that “if you’re quietly on a board, people don’t know that.” Social media plays a critical role in showcasing her involvement and leadership.

Rebecca’s book, Think Bigger, It’s Your Time, was never part of her original plan. Writing became a therapeutic outlet for her during difficult times, particularly during challenges in her marriage. She journaled about her experiences, which eventually led to the idea of publishing a book. With the help of a friend, she turned her personal reflections into a manuscript, sharing her journey of growth and inspiration with others.

For Rebecca, being a leader means embodying passion and putting your heart into whatever you care about, regardless of its scale. Leadership isn’t defined by the title but by the reasons behind one’s actions. She advises against getting caught up in the status of being a leader, stating that true leadership comes from knowing your “why” and having genuine confidence in what you’re doing. “It’s not cockiness,” she says, “but owning what you’re doing.”

Following that, Rebecca reflects on the advice she was given early in her career: “fake it till you make it.” She believes that presenting yourself with confidence, even before you fully have it, can lead to real growth. Through repeated experiences, genuine confidence builds over time. Rebecca credits her love for real estate and relationship-building as key factors in developing her confidence.

One of the common mistakes Rebecca sees in leadership is pursuing something just because it sounds good or trendy. She emphasizes the importance of leading by example and being genuine. “There’s a difference between saying something and meaning it,” she notes. For Rebecca, true involvement and collaboration foster a better team environment.

Rebecca is also deeply passionate about advocacy, particularly in real estate through her involvement in the Realtor’s Political Action Committee (PAC). She recalls a personal experience where she was able to be part of changing a law that affected her client. This moment inspired her to become more involved in advocacy, realizing the impact she could have on the industry.

Rebecca’s local advocacy work includes serving as president of her local association, where she helped remove a countywide septic inspection requirement. This regulation had been an obstacle for many property transactions in her area. She underscores the importance of open-mindedness in advocacy and how engaging in unexpected areas can yield significant results.

One of Rebecca’s most memorable transactions involved a client she worked with for over two years. They explored numerous property options, including new construction, before settling on a home project they could make their own. This transaction, however, didn’t end as expected. On her birthday, her client insisted on seeing a house, despite her having other plans. After accommodating the request, the client ghosted her when their offer was rejected, leaving Rebecca feeling betrayed after all the effort she had put into the relationship.

Rebecca advises home sellers to be meticulous when preparing their homes for showings, sharing a humorous yet cautionary tale about the importance of “putting things away.” She recalls an incident involving a nightstand drawer, which served as a lesson she wouldn’t forget.

Looking ahead, Rebecca hopes to write a second book, though she’s started and stopped the process multiple times. She approaches new opportunities with an open mind, believing that leaning into new experiences can often lead to unexpected success. Currently, she is in the business planning mode, ready to embrace whatever comes next.

Check out Rebecca Donatelli:

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccadonatelli.realtor/?hl=en

https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-df220706164810862201/rebecca-donatelli

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