Trish Wentz

I really attribute my success to the relationships I've built. My proudest moments aren't just about the awards - though being nominated for BOMA's Leader of Excellence and winning Assistant Property Manager of the Year were incredible honors - but it's really the relationships that I've built with the customers in my building that make me most proud. I'm very proud that I have the relationship that I have with them, and that if they have to leave for whatever reason to go to another building, they're genuinely sad and we cry together. I had a customer that just said we're not just a customer relationship, it's a friendship and a family. What makes me proud is what our team has done as a collective for our customers and for our building. That's what it's all about for me.

I would tell young women entering property management to treat customers as if they are part of your friends or family, and always look at it from their perspective. Always come from a place of what can we do, instead of a place of no. I think a lot of us tend to come from a place of no, but that's not the right approach. You also have to have thick skin and be willing to adapt and adjust based on what's happening in the day, and not let it get to you. Some days, you just gotta walk outside and take a breath.

The challenges in property management are that you have to have thick skin and be willing to adapt and adjust based on what's happening in the day, and not let it get to you. Some days are tougher than others, and you just have to walk outside and take a breath. Property management is all about being prepared for anything, because no one day is alike. You wear lots of hats and have to be ready for whatever comes your way.

Family is one of my top priorities. I love spending time with my family, which includes my best friend and her family - we're all family and we've known each other since forever. I'm always making time for family because I am so busy with work. In my work life, relationships are everything to me. I always say I'm a relationship builder, and I want to make our building feel more like a family, not just a place to come to work. I'm also very passionate about giving back through charity work, especially with Jingle Jet, because 100% goes to the families and everyone who comes is a volunteer. Making a positive impact and treating people like family - whether they're customers, team members, or actual family - that's what matters most to me.