We had the good fortune of connecting with Bianca Boey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk as necessary to achieve the life you actually want. As difficult as it can sometimes be, if you’re not a little uncomfortable, you’re probably not growing.

My dad moved from Malaysia to the UK to build a new life at the age of 21, and my mom left her long standing career to become a full-time yoga teacher in her 40s, so in many ways I have always been taught to take leaps and not to settle for anything that isn’t serving you.

The two biggest risks I’ve taken have defined everything. The first was leaving London – and a career I’d spent 15 years building in film publicity – to move to Los Angeles. I didn’t have a safety net or a guaranteed next step. I just knew that I’d outgrown what I was doing and that LA was where I needed to be. The second was starting over entirely in real estate. I went from working red carpets and press junkets to studying for my California real estate license, and there were plenty of moments where I thought, “What am I doing?”

But I honestly think that risk of staying somewhere that no longer fits you is actually greater than the risk of starting fresh. Staying comfortable can cost you years. I’d rather bet on myself and figure it out along the way – and that’s exactly what I did. Those two leaps brought me to The Agency, to the clients I love working with, and to a career that feels challenging and fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My path wasn’t a straight line – and I think that’s what makes it work. I spent 15 years in film publicity in London, which taught me how to tell stories, build relationships, and manage high-pressure situations. But over time the entertainment industry can take its toll, and although I loved what I did for so many years, I eventually felt that I needed a change.

When I moved to LA, I had the chance to ask myself what I really wanted. Real estate kept coming up because it combined everything I loved – connecting with people, problem-solving, the creativity of matching someone with the right home – with the independence of building my own business. I joined The Agency because their culture aligned with what I believe in: collaboration over competition, and doing things with integrity. Today, as Associate Director with The Grady Group at The Agency, I get to combine that foundation with a team that shares my values.

Was it easy? Not at all. I was building a real estate career from zero in a brand-new country – there were hard days, slow months, moments of real doubt. But I was learning constantly and that was exciting. I believe that if the hard days are teaching you something, keep going. But if you’re just enduring the same struggle on repeat with no evolution, I feel like that’s standing still rather than growing.

What sets me apart is that I’ve been in my clients’ shoes. I work with a lot of first-time buyers and expats – Europeans, Brits, people who’ve just landed in LA and have no idea how California real estate works. I moved from London knowing nothing about escrow or contingencies, and I remember how overwhelming it felt. So I make it my mission to educate, demystify, and advocate for my clients at every step. I don’t do transactional relationships – when someone is buying their first home or relocating across the world, they need someone who’s going to be honest with them, even when the honest answer isn’t what they want to hear. That transparency is what turns a single transaction into a lifelong relationship, and those relationships are what continues to build my business through referrals and word of mouth.

What I want people to know is that I got into this business because I love people. I’m deeply rooted on the Westside of LA – Venice, Santa Monica, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Playa Vista – and I love connecting people to these neighborhoods, not just as places to buy property, but as communities to be part of. The fact that my job lets me meet new people every day and help them find the place where they’ll build their lives is something I never take for granted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d keep it rooted in the Westside – the neighborhoods I love and work in every day.

I’d kick things off with a Saturday morning at the Playa Vista farmers market, followed by a beach day at my favorite spot on the Marina Peninsula. In the late afternoon, we’d walk down the Venice Boardwalk and stop for a drink at The Waterfront or Hotel Erwin to watch the sunset. For dinner, I’d take them to Ospi, or if we’re keeping it casual, Guisados. Sunday would start early with a Barry’s class in Venice (non-negotiable!), then brunch at Bluey’s in Mar Vista. After that, we’d head to Abbot Kinney to browse the shops – or if there’s a game on, we’re going to Dodger Stadium or SoFi Stadium. We’d end the day with dinner at Beethoven Market in Mar Vista, one of my favorite local spots.

Throughout the rest of the week, I’d make sure we hike to the Hollywood sign (it never gets old), catch a game or grab drinks at PV House in Playa Vista, pop into Joliet – a speakeasy also in Playa Vista – for cocktails, and take a trip down to Manhattan Beach for dinner at Fishing with Dynamite. I’d also want to show them the Marina, take them to Soho House in WeHo for the views, and drive up to Malibu Pier.

The whole theme of the week would really just be being outside as much as possible – because this is LA!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many incredible women throughout my career, but there are two I want to especially shoutout – Jo Fernihough (VP Publicity UK & Ireland at Warner Bros. Discovery) and Kezia Williams (Managing Director, UK & Eire, Universal Pictures International). They both showed me what real leadership looks like: that you can be powerful and kind, ambitious and generous, all at the same time. No matter how high the pressure or how tight the deadline, they always brought humor, kept their teams together, and looked out for the people around them. In an industry that can be tough and demanding, they never lost sight of what matters – treating people well, even in the most stressful moments. Watching them lead that way gave me the confidence to believe I could do the same, and that lesson has carried through to everything I’ve built since.

Website: https://biancaboey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biancaboey_realestate/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-boey/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bianca.boey/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-agency-bianca-boey-venice

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@biancaboey_realestate

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bianca_boey

Image Credits
Jeff Ellingson
Taryn / Engel Studios

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