Building A Business, A Team And A Stronger Community

Celebrating a successful first year in business The Professionals office on Edith St, Innisfail. From left: Segrid, Lynne, Barb, Terri, Taylah and Annette. Photo credit: Helen Cook

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For Annette Swaine, celebrating the first anniversary of Professionals Innisfail is about more than business success. It's about building a team, creating opportunities and contributing to the community she calls home.

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Annette and husband David opened Professionals Innisfail on 1 October 2025, transforming a building purchased as an investment into a thriving real estate agency. Twelve months later, the agency has grown from two staff to a busy team servicing properties from Babinda to Cardwell.

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Annette specialises in residential property and land, while David focuses on commercial property and business sales.

The agency has expanded its property management portfolio, acquiring rent rolls from First National and Babinda Real Estate.

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Today, the team includes three full-time property managers, administration support and salesperson Segrid, who recently joined the agency.

For Annette, building the right team has been as important as growing the business.

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“The biggest thing for me has been to build a culture within our office,” she said.

Receptionist Taylah is a perfect example of that commitment.  

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“She's now undertaking real estate qualifications and preparing to move into property management,” Annette said.  

“It's good to help staff grow into what they want to do.”  

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Annette’s approach reflects a colourful career spanning more than 20 years in the Queensland Police Service, retiring as a sergeant, before operating a fishing charter and boat hire businesses in Cardwell and Mission Beach.  

Fishing remains her greatest passion to this day.

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“When I retired, I said I was retiring to go fishing. And literally I was!”

But with those businesses behind her, these days, she's happiest escaping onto the water for recreation whenever the weather and workload allows.

“I suppose it's more therapy than anything,” she said.

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But Annette's community involvement doesn't stop at real estate. Having previously stood for state parliament, she's now spearheading the revival of the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce after years of inactivity.

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With more than 20 members already involved and an annual general meeting planned for January, she's optimistic about rebuilding a strong voice for local businesses.  

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For Annette, whether mentoring staff, helping people find homes or supporting fellow business owners, it's about creating opportunities – and hopefully finding the occasional weekend to go fishing.

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