Crystal clear

From fashion to real estate, Crystal Ozamis carries a sense of style that sells

By Fiona Patricia S. Escandor

 

A FASHION designer and entrepreneur in her past life, Crystal Ozamis not once imagined herself ever being in a corporate environment, let alone in sales. That was until a chance encounter with an old friend, who practically sold to her a job in the industry, made her decide to give it a try.

Six years later and here she is — exuding confidence and contentment in the craft she has grown to love. Crystal is presently running the Cebu sales team of real estate developer Rockwell Land for its first project outside Metro Manila as director.

“It’s very different from what I was doing before, but it’s fun,” she said. “I get to meet a lot of interesting people, and it’s more than just selling, really. It’s much more enriching than what the job sounds or its connotation.”

Simple living

Crystal moved to Cebu in December of 2013, after the developer’s first Cebu project, 32 Sanson, was unveiled. She said, “I felt it was a good challenge for me to be somewhere new and manage something new. I also like what we’re building here, and it’s a privilege for me to have this opportunity. (It’s) challenging since it’s a new and different market from what I was used to.”

On a personal level, it wasn’t that hard for Crystal to adjust, as she has easily built a home in her new address, establishing relationships in and out of the office, and immersing herself in the community.

An avid golfer and yogi, she has since joined yoga classes and has taken a liking to playing in local golf courses. She is also quite the beach bum. “I like diving and wakeboarding, and these are things that I had to make plans for before. But here if I have a free day, I can just go diving for a day.”

“My life is simple, which is why it wasn’t very hard for me to move. I basically just work out, work, and go home. My extra time is spent catching up on TV shows or reading, or having dinner or coffee with friends,” she said.

Learning relevance

Crystal took a degree in communication in the Assumption College, and shortly right after, only 21 back then, flew to Paris where she took a short course on fashion. “I wanted to practice illustration and I guess, more than anything, the exposure,” she said. “I think that was very important because it helped me developed my taste, it made me see what’s out there, not only in fashion, but also in terms of art, people, and what was relevant at that time.”

Upon returning to the Philippines, Crystal started designing her own line, getting noticed by local fashion magazines and making it to Manila’s best dressed lists. While on the side, the budding designer owned and managed a home spa service and a catering business with her siblings.

“I guess I always responded to my needs. Fashion was born out of me wanting my own clothes, and also with the spa service, which at that time no one was offering,” she said. Crystal has since let go of the two ventures, yet still designs occasionally for personal use.

From fashion to real estate, Crystal is drawn to the pursuit of excellence in her job. “When we do something we always ask ourselves: is this good enough? Is this excellent? I think this pursuit is what drives me the most,” she said. “There’s also a sense of family within the company and I admire the people I work with.”

Right approach

In leading the Cebu sales team, Crystal said that one of the things she always reminds her staff is the importance of a positive disposition. “(In sales) you get a lot of disappointments. Sometimes clients won’t prioritize you or say no and that can be discouraging. But if you approach it with a positive disposition, you’ll be able to handle it well.”

Although, Crystal was happy to note that the local market’s reception to 32 Sanson has been anything but disappointing – far from it rather, as they intend to introduce the next phase of the 15-hectare property later this year.

“Closing a sale really gives you a high,” she admitted. “It’s rewarding. It gives you sense of fulfillment, especially nowadays when there’s so much out there and it becomes all the more challenging.”

Then apart from the career rewards, it’s the gaining of friendships built on initially client-seller relationships. “One of the important things for me is having quality relationships in my life,” Crystal said, “and I find that in my work I get long-lasting relationships from it. The work is serious don’t get me wrong, but I also get to meet a lot of people. In terms of personal growth, it’s likewise very fulfilling.”

Photography: Alfred Gregory E. Bartolome | Locale: 32 Sanson by Rockwell, Lahug, Cebu City
Make-up Artist: Carlo Damolo| Hair Stylist: Jerwin Bastatas
Assistants: Marymil Cabrera and Bernadette Abangan, USJ-R Mass Comm Interns