Andrew takes interesting road to commercial success

From diesel mechanics to underground coal mining, driving concrete trucks and even managing share portfolios – Andrew Douglas has taken an interesting road to his current position at Henzells.

A surfing-mad family man, Andrew has certainly found his feet as Commercial Sales and Leasing Consultant with Henzells Agency where he gets to combine the joy of living on the southern Sunshine Coast with a job he loves.

Originally from the New South Wales country township of Gunnedah, Andrew worked for around 14 years as a diesel mechanic on heavy plant equipment for the mining industry.

“I left mining and moved about a bit, then ended up in Sydney doing share trading and managing portfolios for a couple of years,’’ Andrew said.

The Sunshine Coast lifestyle beckoned and he moved north, entering the real estate profession for the first time with a local agency in 2010.  He would soon join Henzells Agency in 2014 where he worked for four years in residential sales.

After a short stint back on the big rigs, driving concrete trucks and working in an underground coal mine west of Mackay, Andrew returned to Caloundra’s number one independent agency around two years ago, bolstering the commercial team. 

“I have had a lot of varied job roles, I take a bit from everything I have done, which helps me relate to all types of characters in the industry,’’ Andrew said.

“I’m really enjoying commercial, it’s more suited to my background being based on numbers and more business orientated.

“We have seen a return to an even market in recent months with a slight pullback in volume and sales. Investor sentiment has eased on the back of interest rates and retail has slowed a little, however there is so much happening in terms of building and new infrastructure, it keeps things ticking along,’’ Andrew said.

When not at work Andrew loves hitting the waves on his array of shortboards, seeking out the best breaks at Kings, Shelly and Moffats. 

He enjoys family time, CrossFit and getting involved in junior rugby league where his two boys play for the “Sharkies” in the local competition. 

Having just built a new home in Banya at Aura, Andrew said that with its laidback lifestyle and great beaches, the southern Sunshine Coast was the perfect place to live.