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  • What Makes a Village? The Sale Street Way

    Village Culture. What Makes a Village?


    Adding the village into your team culture isn’t a burden, it’s the backbone. It builds inclusivity, strengthens trust, and makes the juggle possible.
    That’s how teams thrive.
    That’s how businesses grow.

    Written By Rosie Long & Katie Baddock
    Village Culture. What Makes a Village?
    The Sale Street Way | Real Estate, Motherhood, and Teamwork in Orange NSW

    Strong villages build strong teams, and unstoppable businesses

    The other day, Rosie and I were having one of those conversations that only happens when two businesswomen in regional NSW stop long enough to swap stories about juggling boss-life and mum-life. Call it team culture, call it the ADHD brain ping-ponging between a million tabs, either way, it hit on something real for both of us.

    For years, women have been told we can “have it all”: equal opportunities, equal pay, and the elusive work-life balance. On one side: career, ambition, deadlines. On the other: kids, family, friends, self-care. But as Rosie and I both discussed (and live daily), that isn’t real life. Life is messy. The lines blur. And the pursuit of perfect balance often just leaves you feeling like you’re failing at both, especially if you’re both Virgos.

    And let’s be honest, I think all women can agree that if we hear the word “balance” one more time, we’ll collectively roll our eyes into another postcode. It should be the norm to ask for help. Nannies or Au Pairs should not be dirty words for working women or female business leaders, sometimes you need a bit of extra help to make sure your children are safe and healthy while you’re running your business. And the mum-guilt that comes with asking for help? That should be seen (and felt) as normal too. Because how can we possibly be great leaders, change-makers, or role models if we don’t give ourselves the room to be okay with our choices, or okay with how those choices might be seen by our peers or community?

    We all know the old saying: “it takes a village to raise a child”. But here’s the thing, what if we reset the new norm and admitted it also takes a village to be a boss lady and a work mum? No bullshit. Just honesty about the fact that none of us do this alone, nor should we expect ourselves to.

    And here’s the twist: that village doesn’t just look like grandparents, neighbours, or the school pick-up crew anymore. Especially in regional and rural areas. But really, anywhere! For us, as female business leaders, it’s our work family. The people who back you when you’re running late from school drop-off, who understand when you’re half on the phone negotiating a property deal while also Googling how to get Play-Doh out of carpet or how to best handle teenage hormonal rage. At Sale Street Real Estate in Orange NSW, that’s our team. They’re as much a part of our day-to-day survival as our partners, friends, or parents – if we’re lucky enough to have them on hand.

    And here’s the important part: adding the “village” into our team culture is not a burden, and it’s not something to be scoffed at. It’s what creates inclusivity, builds resilience, and strengthens trust. When team members feel safe to ask for help, whether that’s covering an inspection, picking up a call, or stepping in as stand-in mum or dad when your meeting (god forbid) is more important than the chaotic school pickup, when life happens, it doesn’t weaken the business, it strengthens it. A culture like this doesn’t just get deals done; it keeps people invested, motivated, and proud to be part of the journey.

    Rosie put it best when she said each member of the Sale Street team brings something to her boss-mum and mum-life equilibrium:

    “Will anchors me. He’s the balance when I’m in a tizzy, reminding me that guilt has no place when I take an afternoon out of the office. But it’s more than that, he’s also my partner in this whole Sale Street adventure. Calm when I’m fast-paced, measured when I’m excitable, he’s the steady hand that grounds both me and our business. Together, we’ve built a partnership that works because it’s honest, balanced, and based on trust, and that anchors not just me, but the whole team”.


    “Izzy is my fallback child taxi driver, swooping in when I’m vacuuming ant infestations or pitching so well that a 20-minute chat has turned into an hour-long bonding session. She’s also my personal birthday present shopper, saving me from last-minute panic with gifts that always land. As our newest licensed agent and one of our youngest team members, she’s head-and-shoulders cooler than the rest of us, which wins me major brownie points with my 12 and 14 year old girls, who know Iz was the brains behind the choice. She brings energy, fresh perspective, and a little street cred to our village, and honestly, that’s worth gold”.


    “Chelsea is the champion interpreter of my muddled brain and even more muddled calendar. She somehow translates my half-sentences, scribbled notes, and wild brainwaves into something clear and actionable. She’s also the calm in the storm, when phones are ringing, the inbox is overflowing, and I’m already two steps ahead, Chelsea quietly pulls it all together and keeps the wheels turning. The way she anticipates what’s needed before I even say it is like a sixth sense, and she does it all with humour, grace, and a quiet brilliance that keeps us all on our toes (in the best way possible)”.


    “When Jacinta offers help, she means it. She swoops in with speed, excellence, and such reliability that I don’t need to “check over” her work, a gift that feels as good as a glass of rosé on a hot summer afternoon. She also leads by example. Her son Henry is often by her side, the human form of a 3.30pm sugar hit and a regular reminder of why we do what we do. If you’ve ever spoken to Jacinta on the phone, chances are Henry was there too, watching in awe and quietly training to be Orange’s top agent in 20 years’ time. She’s proof that work and life can blend with grit, talent, and a whole lot of heart”.


    “Jen has an uncanny ability to walk into a home and, with a few tweaks and her signature “Jen touch,” turn panic into polish. She’s usually fixed them before you even notice. She mothers everyone on-site, checking in on the team, making sure we are taking care of ourselves, and she looks after people just as much as the homes we’re presenting. Her real magic is knowing exactly when something’s worth worrying about and when it’s not. She tells me straight: either “fix it now” or “relax.” The perfect mix of nurture and no-nonsense”.

    “After almost 14 years of friendship, the only difference between “best friend Katie” and “colleague Katie” is that she’s finally getting paid for managing my life. There is a whole list of things she does that make my world rotate easier, but notably in the work environment, it’s that unconditional, dependable and unrelenting force behind me, refining the message and the delivery.

    Together, they don’t just make the business stronger, they make the juggle possible.

    This blend of home, work, family, and team isn’t something to apologise for. It’s the new norm. And if it’s not part of your business or team culture, we highly recommend giving it a go. It’s what allows us to be both leaders and mums, both ambitious and present, both serious about our careers and serious about our kids. Some days the scales tip too far one way or the other, but having the right village around us means it never completely topples.

    So maybe it’s time to stop chasing some idea of “perfect equilibrium” and start recognising the reality: it’s not about equal parts, it’s about supported parts. The people around you, both at work and at home, are what make it possible. And if you’ve got a strong village, you’re doing more than surviving. You’re thriving. Your team’s thriving. And your business? Absolutely unstoppable.

    Here’s to the village – because none of us were ever meant to do this alone.