Now numbering almost 200, Alliance real estate people form a very diverse grouping of men and women, working together every day. Aged between 21 and 71, they come from practically all localities of Malta and Gozo, as well as several other countries, and with such a wide variety of dedicated people specializing in all types of real estate sales and letting, you can rest assured we’ve got the right person to assist you.
Although for obvious reasons, company policy does not encourage office romances, we do have no less than six couples within Alliance, who are in a committed relationship or married together, and working as colleagues; and in the run up to Valentine’s Day, we met up with them to find out how this works for them.
Ana-Marija Zafirovska and Fabien Debono
Ana-Marija is branch manager of Alliance San Gwann and Fabien manages Alliance Marina, so they may be considered as being competitors in the market, however the brand’s strong teamwork mentality and their own maturity as successful individuals in their own right, proves otherwise.
How long have you been together?
We’ve been together for two and a half years.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
We met about seven years ago off as colleagues at another real estate company and eventually became very close friends. Then Alliance was the company that brought us together
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
Even though we try not to bring our work home, we’re both very passionate about the real estate industry and for us this is not just a job but a lifestyle and a huge part of who we are. The only time we’re not discussing real estate is when we’re both asleep
Lorraine and Jamie Dimech
Lorraine and Jamie jointly manage Alliance Birkirkara, one of the newest franchise branches of Alliance Real Estate, prominently located on the main road of Malta’s largest city. They employ a team of around ten people working in sales and letting, and are parents to Geneve aged 11.
How long have you been together?
We’ve been together for around 21 years.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
We met before we started working in real estate and our individual career paths led us to where we are today working together.
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
We never switch off discussing real estate as we literally live it every single day. For us it’s not only a job, it’s a passion. We both enjoy working in real estate and are more effective when we’re doing it together.
Elizabeth and Aldo Bezzina
Elizabeth and Aldo are a power couple working very closely together as a tag-team at Alliance Tigne in Sliema. They support each other as partners in their day-today work with a synergy that delivers much more than their individual parts. Elizabeth and Aldo are parents to Luca aged 13 and Ella aged 10.
How long have you been together?
We’ve been together for twenty years.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
We met before whilst both working in other jobs.
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
When we’re at home we try our best to avoid discussing property or work matters less and less to focus more on our children.
Brian Grech and Samuel Sultana
Brian and Samuel are two experienced property advisors, forming a powerful tag-team based at Alliance Santa Venera. They support each other with listings, promotions and viewings, and divide the work between them as much as possible to achieve more than their individual potential.
How long have you been together?
We have been together for 4 years now. Coffee turned into lunch which turned into dinner and after a few months, a trip to Santorini in Greece. We both fell in love with our entrepreneurial spirit and our passion for travel.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
We met in 2018 while working in completely different jobs. With complementary personalities, but matching drive and determination, we have built both a business and relationship together over the past 4 years. We have completely different personalities which really gives us a great balance in both work and life. We see things differently which certainly keeps it interesting but also aids in how we do business in how our styles compliment each other.
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
When you work with your partner, keeping your work at work isn’t easy, especially in the real estate industry where meeting with clients and colleagues becomes a part of your life. We work a lot. Most people do date nights, but we do day dates. We grab lunch between appointments, we go shopping and on very rare occasions we go watch a movie during the day. Our nights, when we don’t have evening viewings, is our “us time”. Celebrating the everyday little and big wins in business with the one you love is so much more rewarding and it just makes it that much sweeter. We are two different people in every way imaginable but we love what we do and enjoy helping people find their dream homes.
Maria and Kenneth Grillo
Maria is a property advisor based at Alliance Pender branch in St. Julians whilst Kenneth does the same job from Alliance Tigne branch in Sliema. Being in two different branches makes it harder for them to work together as a team, but are they competitive with each other? Maria and Kenneth are parents to Sana aged 21 and Beppe aged 18.
How long have you been together?
We have been happily married for 31 years now.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
We were both working in another line of business elsewhere when we met.
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
For some reason, we manage to discuss work opinions also while at home, but without any work pressure. It’s just something else we talk about and end up benefitting from each other’s vision.
Amy Cremona and Claude Cefai
Amy is branch administrator at Alliance San Gwann, whilst Claude is a property advisor based at Alliance Tigne branch in Sliema. Although their jobs are different and they are working in different branches, they both work with the same brand, have similar day-to-day experiences and many work colleagues and friends in common from both branches.
How long have you been together?
We’ve only been together for the past few months.
Did you meet whilst already working in real estate or before?
Yes, we actually met at one of the social events of Alliance and hit it off right away.
How do you switch off or are you discussing real estate all the time?
Since we both work in Real Estate and it’s a passion of ours, we actually love to discuss our work day and properties we’ve come across. We are very supportive of each other and will do whatever it takes to motivate one another. Of course, love conquers all and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Even the very best romantic relationships go through ups and downs, and we’re certain the relationships of these couples are no exception. Whilst thanking them for their support in writing this article, we wish them all much love, health and happiness for many years to come.
