Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    From the runway to real estate — 3 fashionistas who ditched glam gigs to sell NYC

    By Asia Grace,

    20 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0EKkqb_0uAn55ho00

    For richer or broker , Briana Siaca is married to NYC real estate.

    But closing multimillion-dollar deals on Gotham’s finest addresses wasn’t her first love. Instead, it’s become the former Miss New York USA’s glitzy second act.

    “Pageantry gave me a tough skin , it boosted my confidence and taught me tenacity,” Siaca, 30, a first-year realtor with luxury brokerage the Corcoran Group, told The Post.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1JkdCB_0uAn55ho00
    Briana Siaca developed inner strength and grit while competing for the crown of Miss New York USA for six years. James Messerschmidt

    “With all those tools,” continued the brunette, “transitioning into New York City real estate just made sense.”

    Siaca’s far from the only glamour gal to ditch a life in the limelight for the hustle and bustle of hawking haute homes.

    In fact, real estate is fast becoming a choice career change for business belles throughout the US, per a 2023 report from the National Association of Realtors.

    Examining industry demographics, researchers found that 62% of the country’s agents are women — most of whom have “had careers in other fields prior to real estate.”

    Jessica Markowski, star of the new Netflix series “Owning Manhattan,” told The Post her previous gigs in fashion technology and content creation give her a leg up as a broker with Ryan Serhant’s eponymous firm.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0EYbHT_0uAn55ho00
    The beauty queen told The Post she grew up as a shy tomboy who worried she’d never be taken seriously as a businesswoman. Stephen Yang
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3BFp6U_0uAn55ho00
    Researchers found that many women, including Siaca, pursue real estate as their dynamic second act. Emmy Park for NY Post

    Home prices are rising fast in these 10 cities — with some surprises leading the pack

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1b03UA_0uAn55ho00
    Jessica Markowski said working for Kim Kardashian helped shape her into a fierce tycoon. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

    “I really understand the importance of social media branding and marketing in real estate,” said the Brooklynite, 31, who’s currently clinching a $20 million deal in Tribeca.

    “I’m a real New Yorker — an achiever with big dreams,” she added. “My past work experiences make me more well-rounded as a Realtor.”

    Here’s how NYC’s hottest sellers made the big switch.

    From ‘Housewife’ to house honcho
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4aWBri_0uAn55ho00
    As a model, author and reality TV vet, Kelly Bensimon told The Post that real estate is all about lavishing clients with the “best” buys on the market. Getty Images for Sandals

    “The Real Housewives of New York City” alum Kelly Bensimon doesn’t consider selling $17 million homes a “second chapter” in her career.

    For the model, plugging prime finds comes as second nature.

    “I’ve always sold the best of the best,” the reality icon, 56, 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.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1lMDdJ_0uAn55ho00
    The ex-“Real Housewives of New York City” star told The Post she’s grateful for the success she’s enjoyed in each of her many career moves. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

    After bidding farewell to a regular stint on Bravo in the early 2010s, Bensimon went on to snag several real estate licenses in California, Florida and New York.

    As a bigwig with the Douglas Elliman firm, she’s secured well over $100 million in sales , including a $42 million deal she inked on a Charles Street address amid the pandemic.

    These 10 US cities have the most homes under $200K—but maybe not for long

    The mogul mama of two partially credits her success in realty to her on-camera work.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1IUsQq_0uAn55ho00
    Bensimon made a multimillion-dollar sale during the throes of the pandemic, when the business world was in upheaval.

    “Modeling gave me an editorial lens, which I use for all of my properties,” said Bensimon of her eye for architectural beauty.

    “I love infusing my past into my present.”

    Influencing the market
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0t02zy_0uAn55ho00
    A fashionable force to be reckoned with in real estate, Markowski jokingly said she’s “Kim Kardashian and Ryan Serhant combined.” Nurselle

    Fancying herself a perfect blend between former boss Kim Kardashian and current boss Serhant, Markowski is a house-selling powerhouse with a unique upper hand.

    “Right out of college, I was head of communications for a company called Screenshop [launched by] Kim Kardashian,” said Markowski of the superstar’s since-defunct fashion app.

    “It taught me the power of social media, branding, marketing and sales,” added the Greenpoint native and daughter of Polish immigrants.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4e456q_0uAn55ho00
    The Netflix star said her in-depth knowledge of social media gives her a boost when brokering big deals throughout the Big Apple. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

    She reveres the lessons learned at her previous 9-to-5 as the magic that gives her an “advantage” in real estate, which became her full-time job in 2019.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    And since joining Serhant in 2022, the savvy siren’s hammered out huge contracts, including deals for a trio of lifts in Tribeca — each ranging in price between $6 to $12 million — a swank Upper East Side town house and a forthcoming development in Greenpoint.

    “I was raised to walk into every room and pretend like I own it,” said the “Owning Manhattan” VIP. “That attracts business.”

    The crowned closer
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0S6Bty_0uAn55ho00
    Siaca said she first learned pageantry at age 18, hoping to become more confident and assertive. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

    Siaca’s always had a taste for big business.

    But as a shy teen, the native Long Islander grew up fearing she lacked the self-esteem to dominate the corporate world — until she entered the world of beauty pageants at age 18.

    “I competed in Miss New York USA for six years before finally winning in 2021,” Siaca told The Post.

    “Each time I lost or was told, ‘No,’ it made me stronger,” she added. “Now, when I’m told, ‘No,’ as a Realtor, I just shrug it off and keep grinding.”

    Scoring a series of huge “yeses” has, too, helped curb the pangs of discouragement.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09RgCq_0uAn55ho00
    A winner through and through, Siaca has enjoyed repeat successes since making the switch from pageantry to realty in 2023. Stephen Yang

    Just 10 days after earning her realty license in August 2023, the bombshell secured employment with Corcoran — founded by “Shark Tank” dynamo Barbara Corcoran. In less than a year, Siaca’s already sold a $3.5 million property.

    The titleholder-turned-tycoon said pageantry gave her the power to pour into others.

    “As Miss New York USA, I served people all over the state, visiting underprivileged communities and empowering kids to follow their dreams,” said Siaca.

    “And in real estate, I get to continue to serve the people of New York — helping them find their dream homes.”

    For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local New York City, NY newsLocal New York City, NY
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0