We love hearing stories of people who refused to settle, who took a leap into the unknown and built something extraordinary from it.
At IQI, one such story belongs to Ven Tee — a banker who walked away from stability, braved the rejections of cold calling, and rose to lead a team of more than 1,000 agents.
Today, Ven Tee is a Team Manager with accolades ranging from car and home bonuses to overseas trips. But his path wasn’t smooth, and it certainly wasn’t instant.
His success was built on persistence, resilience and an unwavering belief that if you burn the boats, you’ll find a way to survive.
Journey of an IQI Warrior: Ven Tee
Breaking Free from the Bottleneck
When you first meet Ven Tee, you wouldn’t immediately guess he leads a team of over 1,000 agents at IQI. His vibe is casual, grounded and almost playful.
But behind that approachable style is a career journey that’s nothing short of inspiring.
Ven’s journey didn’t immediately begin with real estate. After university, he majored in marketing but joined a bank as a salesperson, approving loans and assisting buyers with their DSRs. The role gave him a front-row seat to the property world, but it also gave him frustrations.
Promotions were scarce. “You could only move up if there was a vacancy above you,” he recalled.
I had been a supervisor for ten years and still hadn’t been promoted to manager. It felt like no matter how much effort I put in, the ceiling was there.”
On top of that, income was tied to policies outside his control. One day commissions were good, the next day new restrictions would cut them short. “My career path had hit a bottleneck. I needed a way out,” he said.
Why Real Estate
“Both industries were profitable,” he said, “but the cycles were different. Insurance needed strong personal connections, and I didn’t want to risk losing friends over it.
Real estate gave me a chance to meet strangers and build something bigger.”
So, in 2017, he joined IQI. At first, the jump was nerve-racking. No stable income, no “fast track” commission system, and advertising money was tight. Instead of running flashy campaigns, he spent his days cold calling — 150 to 200 calls a day. Rejection was routine, but he pushed through.
Rejection was part of the job. Some days you felt like you were just collection.”
His very first client meeting taught him a humbling lesson. “I thought I could handle it alone,” he said.
“But halfway through I realised I wasn’t ready. I actually apologised and admitted it was my first time. Luckily, my leader backed me up and the client was a seasoned investor who gave me a chance. I considered it lucky.”
Burning the Boats
So, what kept Ven from giving up? Mindset. From the beginning, he treated real estate not as a job, but as a way of life.
“If you treat it like just another job, you’ll always have a backup plan. You’ll think, maybe I’ll try Grab on the side. But that becomes a barrier to learning seriously. I always tell my team: if you want to conquer the island, burn the boat.”
That mentality paid off. From a newcomer hustling through rejections, Ven climbed the ranks steadily.
By 2020, he became Head of Team, and in 2023, a Team Manager.
Today, he leads more than 1,000 agents, has unlocked five home bonuses, a car bonus, and has enjoyed overseas trips fully provided by IQI.
The Heart of Leadership
The biggest shift for Ven was moving from caring only about his own sales to carrying the responsibility of others.
“It’s not just about me anymore. I feel a sense of duty towards my team. I can’t control everything, but I try to guide them and be there when they’re struggling.”
He knows the market constantly evolves, from offline to online shifts, to the rise of AI tools. But he’s not worried about being replaced.
People don’t want to buy property from a robot. They want a real person. AI is here to simplify our jobs — whether it’s creating content, replying to clients quickly, or keeping in touch during festive seasons. But the human touch will always matter.”
For Ven, one of the things he’s most grateful for is how IQI equips its agents with in-house technology that makes their work smoother and smarter.
With IQPilot, agents can automate replies, design messages, manage client funnels, and even set reminders to maintain relationships.
On the other hand, IQI Atlas acts as an all-in-one ecosystem, giving agents access to market insights, training, and tools to track their performance.
“These platforms save us so much time and keep us ahead of the competition,” Ven explained.
Instead of worrying about small tasks, agents can focus on what matters most; building trust with clients and closing deals. Having this support from IQI is one of the reasons his team can grow faster and succeed together.
Advice for the Next Wave
For newcomers, Ven’s message is simple: stop overthinking and take action.
“Many people assume the worst before they even start. Why not think positively? If it doesn’t work out after six months to a year, you can always return to your old industry. But during that time, give it everything.”
He also reminds young agents that property is a long game. This industry doesn’t really mean a shortcut to riches and it requires a lot of patience.
Few businesses recoup investments in just six months. Be persistent, keep learning, and understand that it’s bitter first, sweet later. If you can endure the hardship now, you’ll enjoy the comfort later.”
A Journey Still Unfolding
From a banking desk to unlocking new homes and luxury trips to the Maldives and beyond — thanks to his achievements with IQI — Ven has built a career that blends success with a sense of purpose.
Yet what stands out most isn’t the bonuses or the titles. It’s the way he speaks about burning boats, guiding others and treating real estate as a lifelong mission.
Because for Ven Tee, this isn’t just about property. It’s about proving that when you refuse to settle, you can create a future far bigger than you imagined.
Feeling inspired by Ven Tee’s journey? Take your first step with IQI today and discover where your determination can take you.
Continue Reading:
