The stories from the women at Espace highlight the growing impact of women in real estate. Their resilience, empathy, negotiation skills, and dedication to clients continue to redefine what leadership in the industry looks like.
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate their achievements and the many women across the industry who are helping build stronger communities and a more inclusive future.
Monika Saeyong, Senior Client Manager
What made you want to go into real estate?
When I moved to Dubai, my background was in car sales, so I already knew that I enjoyed working in sales and connecting with people. Real estate is such a major industry here, so it felt like a natural step for me. As a mother of two, I was also motivated by the opportunity to create financial freedom and security for my family. I came to Dubai knowing that if I committed fully and worked hard, real estate could provide that opportunity, so for me, it was always going to be real estate.
What sets you apart from other agents?
Honesty is what truly sets me apart. I don’t focus purely on the money, the commission is simply a bonus. My priority is always the client and what is genuinely best for them. I listen carefully to their needs, and I would never recommend or sell a property that I don’t believe in or wouldn’t consider buying myself. Unfortunately, some agents focus only on closing deals, but I believe transparency builds long-term relationships. That’s why many of my clients return to me or recommend me to others.
What would you say to other women who are considering real estate?
You need to be mentally prepared for this industry. Real estate isn’t for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman. It requires strong organisation, self-motivation, and determination, especially during difficult periods when deals don’t go through. Because you work closely with people, there can also be situations where you receive inappropriate messages or attention, and you have to know how to handle that professionally and filter the right clients. However, if you are focused, resilient, and passionate about helping people, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.
What do you like most about your job?
Many agents have a love-and-hate relationship with real estate. What I enjoy most is the people and the moment when a client finds the perfect home. Showing beautiful villas, meeting great buyers and sellers, and helping someone secure a property they truly love is very rewarding. Like any job, there are stressful moments, but overall the positive experiences and opportunities far outweigh the challenges.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
One of the biggest challenges is that real estate is completely commission-based, which means there is always some uncertainty about when the next payment will come. Many factors are also outside your control. You might do everything right, find the perfect property and connect the right buyer and seller, yet a deal can still fall through. Another challenge is some Real Estate Agencies have created a bad reputation within the industry, making things harder for those who are genuinely trying to do things the right way.
Why do you think real estate is a male-dominated sector?
Historically, men were often expected to be the primary providers for their families, which meant they were more likely to enter commission-based sales industries like real estate. Many women traditionally chose roles with more predictable hours or focused on family responsibilities. However, I believe this is changing quickly. Today, more women are entering the industry and many of them are extremely successful. Women often bring strong communication skills, attention to detail, and empathy, qualities that are incredibly valuable in real estate.
What are three attributes that make you a good broker?
Beyond Real Estate
Real estate has also allowed me to grow beyond my career as a broker. Together with my husband, I recently opened our own Muay Thai gym, TEEP Muay Thai, which is another field that is typically male-dominated. Martial arts gyms are often associated with men, but it’s something we are both incredibly passionate about.
Working in real estate taught me valuable entrepreneurial skills such as discipline, resilience, and how to build something from the ground up. In many ways, being a broker is like running your own business, and those experiences helped prepare me to open our gym. The success I’ve had in real estate also gave me the opportunity to invest in something we truly believe in, and today TEEP Muay Thai is building a strong community around the sport.
As a truly customer-centric real estate agency, we offer a range of related services that are designed to make your property journey stress-free and successful from start to end.
