Mother’s Day at OBrien Real Estate
One of our core values at OBrien Real Estate is family. We are very lucky to have a group of strong, generous and motivated women across our network, who are devoted to their local communities, clients, families and working lives. This Mother’s Day, we are proud to celebrate the mothers who are consistently striving to lead teams, succeed professionally and provide endless support in our offices. We interviewed a selection of inspiring OBrien mothers who are dedicated to their professional and family lives.
Laura Villella – Receptionist and PA to Fabian Villella – Narre Warren
Tell us about your family.
Fabian and I are a husband-and-wife real estate team, so yes… property talk is pretty much a permanent feature at home! We’ve got an 18-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, so we’re living the best of both worlds—one stepping into adulthood and the other keeping us on our toes. It’s a busy, loud, and very entertaining household!
What do you love most about being a mum?
Watching them grow into their own people at completely different stages. One minute you’re having real, grown-up conversations, and the next you’re laughing at something completely random. It’s those little everyday moments (and the laughs in between) that make it so special.
What is one lesson your children have taught you that you apply at work?
Adaptability! With an 18-year-old and an 11-year-old, you learn very quickly that one approach doesn’t fit all. That’s been huge in real estate—every client and staff member is different, and being able to read the room, adjust your approach, and communicate in the right way makes all the difference.
Renee Venville – Office Manager – Hastings
Tell us about your family.
I’m Mum and Step-Mum to my two daughters, Ida and Clodagh. Clods is 12 years old and is the most loving, witty, funny and strong-willed girl. We love spending time together watching movies and series, going swimming, playing board games and, of course, enjoying desserts together.
Ida was a very special surprise. At only 20 months old she’s already showing that she takes after her big sister — she knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to let you know about it!
Life with these two girls is busy, loud, full of personality and full of love — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How has OBrien Real Estate supported you in being both a mum and a professional?
I’ve been working at the OBrien Real Estate Hastings office for almost 8 years, and throughout my journey into motherhood I’ve felt incredibly supported. My directors, Katie and Michael Jones, have been amazing. From maternity leave to the occasional sick day, working from home when needed, and even just offering advice as parents themselves, they’ve always been there for me. Sometimes it’s simply a hug or a chat when things feel a bit overwhelming, and that support means a lot.
From a corporate level, OBrien Real Estate also provides great support through virtual training, face-to-face sessions, and recorded training that we can access if we can’t attend live. That flexibility makes a big difference when balancing work and family life.
What’s been your proudest moment as a mum?
My proudest moments as a mum aren’t really big milestones; they’re the little moments that show who my girls are becoming.
Maddie Harris – Property Consultant – Berwick
Tell us about your family.
My family is made up of me, my husband Ian and our two daughters Zoe (7) and Mackenzie (3) Plus our two dogs Archie and Mack.
How do you balance being a successful agent and a committed mother?
I balance being a successful agent and a committed mother by being real with people. I often have to answer a work call when I have the kids in the car, or take the kids with me to appointments here and there- and people like that I am just a normal person running the day to day like everyone else.
I do the school and kinder drop off and pick up most days and work from home 2 days a week, in the office 1 day and run opens on a Saturday. I do most of my week day appointments after hours when Ian gets home from work. This allows me to be present at drop off, attend the school assembly, volunteer my time as a parent helper at the school, go on excursions with the kids etc. Ian and I share out the after school/kinder extra- curricular activities- both of the kids do dancing and swimming. Zoe does performing arts too. I feel so lucky that I can work around their schedule while they are little. Mackenzie is at kinder 3 days a week and then we spend Thursdays and Fridays together.
What is one of your fondest memories of being a mum?
Some fond memories or moments of motherhood for me would have to be: the day Zoe was born and I became a mum for the first time. Everything about that day and night still makes me smile. My family were all there in the waiting room and I had never felt so empowered, loved up and exactly where I was meant to be. And the day we bought Mackenzie home from hospital to meet Zoe for the first time- it was the sweetest encounter and I still watch the video over and over.
We are incredibly proud of the mothers that strengthen, support and uplift the OBrien network and we thank them for making OBrien Real Estate a better place. Wishing you all a wonderful Mothers Day!
