Irena Markovic

CEO, Lifestyle Properties

Profile

I enjoyed my school education in Vienna and understood the seriousness of life very early. Born in Serbia in 1989, my childhood was marked by war, loss and rather modest circumstances. As a young girl I had to experience what it means to be totally dependent and therefore vulnerable. It became clear to me very early on that a good education and hard work offered a way out of this and paved the way to freedom of one’s own opinion, feelings and financial security.

I developed a strong spirit and created a plan during this difficult time – my dream – to take life into my own hands, well educated and with a good portion of boldness. Parallel to my studies at the Vienna Business School I started my modeling career – in October 2007 I already had my first success with the 1st place at the casting of a well-known fashion brand. Numerous shootings and TV appearances followed, as well as invitations to prominent society events. At the age of only 19, I went into business for myself in 2009 and founded my own event agency.

At that time, some of my competitors thought it was “scandalous” that a naive 19-year-old model, entered the tough world of business and became an entrepreneur. As a powerful answer, I intuitively founded the event platform “Scandalous”, which established itself as a get-together for guests from society, business, culture, diplomacy, politics and sports. This resulted in a network of more than 10,000 contacts. ]

Almost at the same time, I entered the real estate business, first as an employee of a well-known company, until I started my own company Lifestyle Properties in 2016. Hard work, tireless dedication, ambition and commitment helped me to assert myself in this male-dominated industry. Basically, skills that I had to acquire very early on. I had to face the tremendous competition in the real estate industry when I was just 26 years old. It became clear to me that I did not want to compete with anyone, but rather to clearly distinguish myself from the competition.

There were many setbacks along my professional path. I literally had to fight my way through and stand my ground. I faced situations and difficulties, as did many other women. Especially many rumors and prejudices because of my young age, gender, as well as my background.

Numerous cover stories followed, as well as awards and prizes. Among others, I was awarded the Luxury Entrepreneur Award “Flair de Parfum” by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

These two activities in combination with my young age, my gender, as well as my origin, caused quite a sensation. But the hatred on the net and the cyberbullying in combination with outstanding entrepreneurial successes only made me stronger and showed that I did everything right.

My persistence and endurance were rewarded. Today, Lifestyle Properties is one of Vienna’s most respected real estate firms in the investment sector, as well as in the luxury segment. From luxury penthouses in Vienna’s city center with their own rooftop pool to historic castles, we offer our clients the most exclusive private residences and also broker properties that are suitable as investments, such as apartment buildings and other investment properties from Austria’s most prominent “real estate sharks”.

What makes me particularly happy, however, is that my company is now in a position to support other people in realizing their dreams and goals.

Lifestyle Properties attracts attention because of the structure of the company, the well-mixed average age, the management style, the flexibility, as well as the professional support of the customers.

It is important for me to be a role model for all young women, but also for young men who may be discouraged – that is why it gives me great pleasure to welcome newcomers and train them to become real estate professionals. Today I have 11 employees (70% of them women) and successfully run my real estate office Lifestyle Properties – despite the Corona pandemic – at the most beautiful address – Stock-im-Eisen-Platz 3.