Conquering the Concrete Jungle: How Former Beauty Queens Are Dominating the NYC Real Estate Scene
From the glitz of pageantry to the hustle of high-stakes real estate deals, a growing number of former beauty queens are finding their true calling in the dynamic world of New York City real estate. These women, armed with the confidence and resilience honed through their pageant experiences, are carving out impressive second acts as top-performing brokers, leveraging their unique skill sets to navigate the complex and competitive Gotham market.Redefining Success: Beauty Queens Turned Real Estate Mavens
Briana Siaca: From Miss New York USA to Corcoran Superstar
Briana Siaca's journey from the pageant stage to the real estate realm is a testament to the power of perseverance. The former Miss New York USA, who competed for the crown six times before finally securing the title in 2021, has found her true calling in the high-stakes world of New York City real estate. Siaca, a first-year realtor with the prestigious Corcoran Group, credits her pageant experience with instilling her with the confidence, grit, and tenacity needed to thrive in the cutthroat industry."Pageantry gave me a tough skin, it boosted my confidence and taught me tenacity," Siaca, 30, told The Post. "With all those tools, transitioning into New York City real estate just made sense." In just 10 days after earning her real estate license, Siaca secured a coveted position with the Corcoran Group, founded by "Shark Tank" dynamo Barbara Corcoran. Her success has continued to soar, with Siaca already closing a .5 million property deal in less than a year.Siaca's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the transferable skills gained through pageantry. "Each time I lost or was told, 'No,' it made me stronger," she said. "Now, when I'm told, 'No,' as a Realtor, I just shrug it off and keep grinding." Siaca's ability to turn setbacks into opportunities has propelled her to the forefront of the industry, and she continues to leverage her pageant experience to serve the people of New York, helping them find their dream homes.
Jessica Markowski: From Fashion Tech to Real Estate Powerhouse
Jessica Markowski's path to real estate success is a unique blend of her diverse professional experiences. The star of the new Netflix series "Owning Manhattan," Markowski, 31, has seamlessly transitioned from the world of fashion technology and content creation to become a formidable broker with Ryan Serhant's eponymous firm.Markowski's previous roles, including a stint as the head of communications for Kim Kardashian's now-defunct fashion app Screenshop, have equipped her with a deep understanding of the power of social media, branding, and marketing – skills that have given her a distinct advantage in the real estate industry."Right out of college, I was head of communications for a company called Screenshop [launched by] Kim Kardashian," said Markowski, the Greenpoint native and daughter of Polish immigrants. "It taught me the power of social media, branding, marketing and sales."Markowski's in-depth knowledge of these crucial elements has allowed her to excel in her current role, where she has already secured several high-profile deals, including a trio of multimillion-dollar transactions in Tribeca and a swanky Upper East Side townhouse. The savvy siren's unique blend of experience has earned her the moniker of being "Kim Kardashian and Ryan Serhant combined," a testament to her formidable skills and influence in the market.
Kelly Bensimon: From "Real Housewife" to Real Estate Powerhouse
For Kelly Bensimon, the transition from reality TV star to real estate mogul was a natural progression. The former "Real Housewives of New York City" alum, who has enjoyed a diverse career as a model, author, and magazine editor, has found her true calling in the world of high-end real estate.Bensimon, 56, doesn't consider her real estate endeavors a "second chapter" in her career, but rather a seamless extension of her lifelong passion for showcasing the best of the best. "I've always sold the best of the best," the reality icon told The Post. "Whether I'm modeling the clothes, writing books or magazines, or working with the best brokers in the business — I get the deal done."After leaving her regular stint on Bravo in the early 2010s, Bensimon went on to secure several real estate licenses in California, Florida, and New York, eventually joining the prestigious Douglas Elliman firm. Her success in the industry has been nothing short of remarkable, with Bensimon securing well over 0 million in sales, including a million deal on a Charles Street address during the height of the pandemic.Bensimon credits her editorial eye and her on-camera experience as key factors in her real estate prowess. "Modeling gave me an editorial lens, which I use for all of my properties," she said. "I love infusing my past into my present." Bensimon's ability to blend her diverse experiences has made her a formidable force in the high-stakes world of New York City real estate.
