Danijela Matic’s Journey to becoming Top 40 under 40
On her daily commute to school, Danijela Matic strolled along the ocean in Montenegro, carrying the resilience, work ethic, and strength she inherited from her parents. The same qualities that would eventually transform her into a powerhouse businesswoman who’s rightfully earned a spot on the Top 40 under 40 list. “I didn’t realize how much that would shape me now,” says Danijela with an air of nostalgia. “Some of my current ventures are on the water.” As a Realtor for Team Goran at RE/MAX Care Realty, Danijela has a reputation that precedes her and has found remarkable success in this competitive industry. Her office wall is adorned with a sign reading, “Mindset is what separates the best from the rest,” a phrase that has undoubtedly followed Danijela through her life. As a businesswoman, a mother and a leader, she continues to inspire the people around her with values of kindness, connection, and community.
Rooted in Resilience
Danijela’s story begins in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Born in 1989, Danijela’s early years were marked by the turmoil of war. When conflict broke out in 1991, her family fled to Montenegro, where they lived by the seaside. The ocean, a constant in her life, unknowingly shaped her future ventures. This early experience of upheaval and displacement instilled in her a resilience that would become a defining trait in her journey to success.
Her family’s path eventually brought them to Canada, where they settled in the province of Alberta. The challenges of being a refugee and a newcomer to a foreign land could have been overwhelming, but for Danijela, they fueled her ambition. “It was interesting coming in as a newcomer; I used to rewrite books to learn the language. I vividly remember rewriting Pocahontas. I’m a visual learner, so by rewriting it, I could learn the spelling of English words, which is why my spelling, grammar and English were elevated”.
It was at this time that Daniejla dove into the workforce. “Seeing my parents’ work ethic at a young age really shaped mine,” she says. It was this drive that led her to get her first job at the age of 12 at a Dairy Queen and begin a journey of constant learning and growth. “My parents were always hard workers; we never felt like we were missing anything. My sister and I watched our parents build, build, build; their quest for survival was amazing,” Danijela recalls.
Planting the seed
Danijela’s career trajectory is as impressive as it is diverse. From her early days working at Dairy Queen to rising through the ranks in various retail and fast-food establishments, Danijela has always been drawn to leadership roles. “Wendy’s was one of my best jobs. I have a plaque at home that says, “Best Drive-Thru Award,” she recalls, honouring the experiences that paved her path to success. “Everywhere I worked, it was very quick when I rose to some kind of management or leadership position because I found a way to inspire and motivate people. I bring that energy and positivity, which is part of why I found so much success in all my different ventures: because of the attitude behind it.”
Danijela’s drive lies in her ability to visualize and pursue her goals. “Being aware of what I want is key because that’s how you know when you’ve reached that goal,” she explains. “I’ve expanded my real estate portfolio significantly. I’m a top producer on my team, leading and inspiring others to do the same.”
A Bud of Inspiration
In 2011, Danijela moved to Windsor, a city that would become the backdrop of her blossoming career and one she would eventually call home. “For me, Windsor was love at first sight. I loved the scenery, the energy, and the heart that our city has, and I still carry that passion with me as I serve our people and their families,” Danijela shares. The move to Windsor was not just a geographical change but a transformative experience that allowed Danijela to set down roots and build a life filled with purpose and achievement.
“I visualized the life I wanted here in Windsor, which is why I could work so hard to achieve it,” she reflects. This visualization, combined with her commitment to her goals, enabled Danijela to purchase her first home at just 23 years old—a significant milestone. “I left my daughter here, who was three then, and I went back to Alberta and worked for 3.5 months; I worked three jobs around the clock. I had the opportunity to just go hard, so I did and was able to save up my first $35,000. No one thought that I could do it…I always like it when people tell me I can’t do it,” she says with a proud smile.
Upon returning to Windsor, Danijela decided to take on another challenge – beginning her post-secondary education. As a member of the first graduating class from the St. Clair College Public Relations program, she gained hands-on experience that would make her fall further in love with the region, “getting to know the city better, event planning, and creating different connections, it all started at St. Clair College,” she recalls enthusiastically. Upon graduating, Danijela started her now 10-year-old, dynamic sales career, further allowing her to hone her communication skills. “I realized I had something special in that first sales job, that I was different. When you’re younger, you might think, ‘Why am I different from other people?’ but then you realize that’s what makes you stand out. You don’t know your value if you’re in an environment where you’re not learning, growing and thriving.”
Danijela credits her experience in the sales field for preparing her for her ultimate calling—real estate. After leaving her sales job, she reflected on the clients on her roster and the employees she trained by memorizing a seven-page handbook and teaching it to new team members. “I quickly learned that you can’t teach passion,” she says. From there, she ventured into unchartered waters, diving headfirst into the world of real estate.
A Blossoming Career
At the heart of Danijela’s success is a commitment to kindness, persistence and resilience. She believes in the power of daily habits, which she consciously cultivates to spread positivity and make a difference in the lives of others. “The key is being kind to yourself,” she emphasizes. This philosophy extends to her work, where relationship-building is paramount. “Being part of an already established team was vital to entering a new industry. Goran (of Team Goran Re/Max CARE Realty), specifically, could see my qualities and how I could utilize them to get the best outcome,” says Danijela.
Danijela joined RE/MAX, Team Goran, four and a half years ago, feeling “fearless” in starting her new career. Today, she is more than just a real estate agent—she’s a force to be reckoned with in the Windsor market, selling hundreds of homes during her career. As a long-standing top performer in her brokerage, she notes the importance of being with the right team and finding the right vehicle for her DRIVE; “It’s all about connecting with a group of people that share the same values and offer support and guidance as we grow and navigate life and business – I found that. That’s what I love about my team.”
Danijela hit the ground running. In her first 10 months, she sold 65 homes. “It was unheard of for a brand-new agent to do that,” she says. In my second year, I sold 80; it was an incredible year!” Now, business continues to thrive as our region continues to expand, allowing Danijela to utilize the tools that have led to her success. Knowing how to connect with people and being with the right team.
“Real Estate is an emotional journey. I connect and emphasize based on my own experience, and through the process, I nurture unforgettable relationships and achieve great results in buying and selling. I bring guidance, assurance and security, which makes people feel at ease. Real estate is about relationship building, and my mission is to provide a personal and comfortable experience. There’s a lot of pride in helping”.
Even in the face of uncertainty, like the shifting real estate market of 2022, Danijela has remained steadfast, following the same intuition that has gotten her where she is today. She recalls the security she felt when embarking on her investment journey. “There’s no going back now. I made the decision to become an investor one year into my career because I knew the city was on the brink of an incredible boom, and I had the strongest team behind me, so I went all in,” she says as she reflects on her decision to purchase investment properties. “A lot of hardship, a lot of preparation, and a lot of my time went into this. So, you know, the Windsor scenery that I fell in love with, the skyline, and the landscapes. Now, I get to welcome people from all over the world to Windsor; I went headfirst into the fire where someone with a lower risk tolerance would have shut down the whole thing,” she says. This boldness has paid off, allowing her to expand her real estate ventures and build a multimillion-dollar portfolio, including investment properties welcoming international guests into the Windsor-Essex region. “I’ve had people come from China, Switzerland, and Australia; I’m getting shivers just talking about it,” she says, excitedly rubbing her arms. “When people ask why? Why take the risk? It’s the passion behind it. When people visit, I’m able to welcome them and hear them talk about how great our region is, and now I’m a part of that,” she says with pride.
In full bloom
Danijela is excited about her personal growth and professional opportunities as she looks to the future. She is committed to expanding her real estate portfolio and continuing to make a positive impact in Windsor. “This city is my oyster,” she says. But beyond her success, Danijela is also focused on giving back to the community. “With our team here, we have something called Career Nights, which we host every month; I initiated that because many people are interested in real estate but are scared to make a move! So, we meet every first Monday of the month, inspiring others to take the plunge and dive into the exciting real estate career”. At the core of it, Danijela wants to give back to the community that has served her so well, finding ways to honour leaders’ successes in every facet.
“Being the person who helps somebody get into their first or last home is such a rewarding experience, or helping young people expand their portfolio and become investors, bettering their futures. I feel grateful to be a part of their journey, so I take pride in getting the best results.”
As an inspiration to many others, Danijela finds her own inspiration in her daughter. “My daughter will be 16; I made sure she doesn’t feel what I felt having to move around everywhere, that she has roots in one place,” she says, holding back tears. “She is my why; the reason why I do this is because of my incredible daughter. She has been the best gift of my life.” The feeling is mutual as Danijela pulls out her phone and begins reading messages from her daughter: “Your compassion for others makes you so special,” she reads through tears. “Because you understand your clients. Your drive for success and the way you shine inspire others every day, and you also stay inspired every day”.
Danijela has made her mark in the city of roses, hoping to leave an inspirational legacy. “I want people to remember me as someone who cared about them, who had a big heart and who led with their heart,” Danijela Matic says with the unwavering determination of a woman who’s meticulously built her life around the goals and dreams she relentlessly pursued. “[I want people to remember me as] someone who inspires others to make the best of their lives, reach for the stars and achieve their goals.”
