They commonly say that “it takes a village to raise a child,” but in the Philippines, people must come to see that likewise applies in building a setting in which women are not forced to choose between family and job, or even love and career.
It has been a long argument, but the humble narrative of Landco Pacific Corporation’s Sales Director and Licensed Real Estate Broker Margarita “Marj” De Leon demonstrates that with the right amount of trust and support from her pillars, she can achieve anything without picking who is who or which is which.
In her powerful statement, she stated, “I am; this is not I’m just. I am a mom and a wife. I have three amazing children and a very supportive husband.”
“Ako, parang feeling ko sa sales na ako, kasi nilalako ko ‘yun sa neighbor namin. Hindi marangyang buhay dati, pero masaya,” she fondly remembered being a full-time housewife, describing those days as contentment, particularly whenever her husband was preparing pancit and she was selling it.
Yet, little did she know that her sales career was just about to begin when, in 2009, her friend, Myles, who is now in the hands of the Almighty, encouraged her to try applying in the real estate world, and despite the twists and turns she experienced, she was chosen and began her path with Landco Pacific Corporation.
De Leon recalled how she started posting and marketing, while learning about Facebook at the time, but she realized the Lord had sent her a signal when she successfully closed a sale after meeting a client in Festival Mall.
However, with real estate, a success does not occur in an instant; you must be aware about the intricacies of the property you are selling. “Hindi ka p’wedeng magbigay ng kahit anong detalyeng mali just to close a deal. Bawal ‘yun, nakakaawa ang client. Nakakahiya,” she noted during her sharing. Instead, she persisted to study and acquired confidence in presenting in front of prospective customers after just two weeks in the business environment, demonstrating her authenticity and passion to her job.
Her support system grows even more as her manager, Ms. Cel, regularly guides her and responds her calls when she needs them the most. For De Leon, it is more than just sales; it is the hard-earned money entrusted to them as agents, managers, and directors, and she acts on this principle with the team she is now with, securing trust in the transaction as their top priority, while also emphasizing that her team is more than just a group of people; it is a second family in her eyes.
Looking back, this journey was not simple; she had to balance being a career-driven woman and a hands-on mother and wife, but for Margarita De Leon, they are her life and the best treasures she has.
Perhaps being a great leader is profoundly ingrained; you cannot lead without mind, but you also cannot lead without heart. It goes hand in hand, side by side, and if there is one woman who has been doing it for years, it is her, and may you take her story and learn that you do not always have to pick; sometimes all you need is a village to raise and empower you.
