SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: www.toop.com.au

Anthony and Sylvia Toop came from different career backgrounds. Sylvia was an accountant; Anthony came from a family with an electrical business in Peterborough. Anthony gained a builder's license, but later worked in real estate sales. The Toops worked for ten years in the real estate industry before establishing their own business in 1985, originally from home – just the two of them.

Toop&Toop commenced operations with residential real estate sales and property management as the company's core business activities. From the outset, Anthony and Sylvia decided to make innovation, customer service and competitive products the hallmarks of their business. Their focus on unique marketing and outstanding client service gained national recognition with the company winning multiple awards for customer service and business excellence, including being the first Australian residential real estate agency to achieve ISO9001 quality certification.

A number of Toop&Toop initiatives changed the face of real estate sales in South Australia – initiatives that we now accept as part of the business landscape, including among others designer pictorial display boards, illuminated signs (floodlit signboards); colour press advertising; secure inspections (buyer registration prior to entry at open inspection) and Virtual Agent® Selling System – a patented system which utilises the latest technology (mobile phones, SMS messaging, PDAs and computers) to bring buyers and sellers together.

Toop&Toop has grown into one of South Australia 's most well-known family businesses. It now employs more than ninety people and has company-owned and managed offices in Norwood, Glenelg, Golden Grove and Stirling. Toop&Toop is the largest sole-owned and director-controlled residential real estate agency in South Australia.

Future company growth is expected to remain in areas directly linked to residential real estate sales and property management while any geographic expansion will continue to be focused in high demand locations. It is the owners' current intention to have Toop&Toop remain 'in the family' as they have both of their teenage daughters motivated and keen to be involved in the business.

From the beginning, the directors set out to do the right things as well as do things right. As a first generation company they have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurship and innovation to achieve a proud standing as a South Australian family business. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Toop & Toop were Inducted into the FBA (SA) Hall of Fame in 2005.