By Vanessa Saunders Founder/Broker-Owner/Global Property Systems Real Estate
Vanessa Saunders
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to acknowledge the progress that has been made toward gender equality and recognize the work that still needs to be done. This day holds a special meaning for me as this month marks the anniversary of founding my own woman-owned company, Global Property Systems Real Estate (GPS).
Eleven years ago, I took a leap of faith and started GPS, a real estate company with a difference. Having worked in the industry for over a decade, I had gained extensive knowledge and experience, but as a woman, I felt there were limited opportunities for growth and advancement, especially in technology and marketing within my field. Furthermore, I believed that the industry needed a shake-up, so I decided to challenge the status quo of traditional real estate with our tagline, “Real Estate Done Differently.”
My vision was to create a company that provided top-notch real estate services and prioritized diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment for women. These values remain at the core of GPS today.
Over the years, GPS has grown into a multi-million dollar, award-winning agency with multiple teams of talented professionals, including relocation and commercial divisions with realtors and local area specialists in your neighborhood and around the world. We all share a commitment to excellence and inclusivity. We have helped countless clients buy and sell homes across New York’s Hudson Valley region, where we are headquartered, and worldwide while supporting various causes related to women’s rights.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, I am proud of what GPS has accomplished so far, but I also recognize that there is still much work to be done. Recent data from the National
Association of Realtors® shows that only 36% of real estate agents are women, despite comprising over half of all licensed agents. This highlights the need to continue advocating for gender equality in all industries.
At GPS, we remain committed to empowering women within our company and beyond. By providing opportunities for growth and leadership positions for women in real estate, we can help pave the way for future generations.
So on this International Women’s Day, let us celebrate how far we’ve come while remaining vigilant about creating more opportunities for women everywhere. If you’re interested in learning more about GPS or have questions about navigating the real estate market as a woman entrepreneur or investor, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Visit our website to watch informative videos on how we work with our clients, or contact one of our experienced agents today. Let’s continue making strides toward progress together!
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInRealEstate #WomanOwnedBusiness