Person in business: Cheryl Campbell

She has just celebrated her 65th birthday but after 25 years selling homes in Rotorua, agent and auctioneer Cheryl Campbell won't be retiring any time soon.

Briefly outline your current position/s and career to date.

Residential salesperson/auctioneer with McDowell Professionals Rotorua - 25 years with them and two years prior with Professionals Gisborne.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

I was a typist with Gisborne Photo News magazine, produced for the community in Gisborne. I learnt I was not cut out to be restricted to office work only.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity and greatest challenge in your sector in the year ahead?

The greatest opportunity is to capitalise on the increased real estate activity that we are currently experiencing.

The greatest challenge is that despite our last four years of being a depressed real estate market in Rotorua, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel and our challenge is to encourage a lift in the market, not only in sales activity but also in property values. An extension of that challenge is creating confidence among the buying public to create this drive. Many people out in the market place have had enough of the doom and gloom and I believe they are "chomping at the bit" to move forward and celebrate a bit of the positive.

What three skills or qualities are essential in your role?

It takes many more, here are five: self belief, empathy, honesty, passion, professionalism.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I find getting out riding my Harley Davidson Trike blows all the cobwebs away and the sights, scenes and smells are invigorating - perfect. Socialising, music, friends and helping others.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would it be and why?

A leading role in a major movie to fulfil my underlying desire to be a drama queen. Those that know me would agree.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I would love to be a writer.

What achievement to date are you most proud of and why?

My son Kyron and daughter Emma who have given me my precious grandchildren. I must also mention my involvement as an auctioneer in the charity work that we do in our company for the wider community, such as the Child Cancer Foundation charity breakfast. The sense of satisfaction and pride this gives me when we sell the children's paintings for hundreds of dollars is immensely rewarding.

What piece of advice to you wish somebody had given you when you were starting out?

To not allow real estate to become an all consuming part of my life as it so easily can. However, in latter years I have been able to achieve a much better balance.

If you could choose anybody to be your business mentor, who would it be and why?

Sir Peter Jackson - a true New Zealander in every sense of the word, he never gave up on the idea of his dreams, he is not afraid of a challenge, he thinks big - no huge. I might just have a chance of acting in one of his movies.