Alison Dunlap Photography
Robin Mancuso DeLuna, President / CEO Cross Keys Abstract & Assurance, COO, Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors
At the ripe old age of 19, Robin-Mancuso DeLuna had a pretty good idea of the industry where she wished to embark on a career. Her father owned a real estate business and she worked there as a real estate transaction coordinator. After reaching out to female colleagues for their help in training in the industry and receiving a resounding “no” to her requests, Robin decided on another tack. She reached out to a woman with whom she had brief interactions who owned her own title company in NJ. Robin came to her with an offer. “…if the business owner shared her knowledge and experience,” Robin recounted, “I’d bring the real estate connections, technology, and energy.” The result, after hard work and application of niche technology, is a successful, expanding business named “Cross Keys Abstract & Assurance.” According to Robin, that new business started its first month with 10 real estate closings. Twenty-five years later, it has grown to include three title companies closing at least 3,000 transactions a year!
We asked Robin:
What about your organization makes you the proudest?
I’m proud that my work resolves issues that were preventing people from selling their homes or finding a place to call home. By clearing roadblocks like satisfying old mortgages and liens, helping someone sell a property when the owner didn’t leave a will, or navigating sensitive estate and divorce issues, we help families during important times. I’m also proud of how involved I am in the day-to-day work of my employees and companies. I love coming to work every day, and I love going home feeling like I’ve directly helped people rather than outsourced the work.
What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?
I’ve been most surprised and impressed by my employees. A great example of this was during the pandemic, when they all stepped up during a very stressful time and challenging real estate market. Their creativity and work ethic kept business running and helped people find housing.
What advice would you share for any woman looking to start or join an organization such as yours?
As a woman, if you’re unbalanced and getting too wrapped up in work, you’ll be miserable in all areas of your life. A lot of women have two or more jobs, because family and home life is absolutely a full-time job. I’m proud of what I do in business, but when all is said and done, my greatest impact is not growing profits on a spreadsheet. It’s the impression I make on others. How I make my friends, family, and children feel matters most. And my employees are happy to come to me with bad or good news about their personal lives and families. I consider that a success.
We asked Robin a few fun questions:
Who are your business icons, if any, and why?
My biggest icon and mentor is my mom. She raised five children, ran our household, and helped my dad who worked full time. She instilled in all of us a great work ethic, loyalty, and humility. She taught us to really roll our sleeves up and work–to be involved in all aspects of a business and to never be too good for anything.
What in your life do you NOT spend time on?
I don’t spend time on negativity or negative people. They can bring friendships, families, andwhole companies down. When I look back on past hardships, I know I made it through because I found positivity and recognized that there was a time limit to the struggle–that there was going to be something better coming.
We Are Supported By:
Join Our Community. Click here to learn more