From flight paths to front doors.
My story doesn’t follow a straight line — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Born in Adelaide and raised in Melbourne within the warmth of a close-knit community, I grew up learning the value of people, truly knowing them, caring for them, showing up for them. Those early years, including four formative years in aged care, shaped something no career could teach me about people. I learnt that caring for people properly is simply who you have to be.
At 23 I moved to New Zealand and became an international flight attendant with Air New Zealand. Fast-tracked into Business Class and recognised for outstanding service, I travelled the world, learnt to read a room in seconds, and discovered a natural gift for putting people at ease no matter the circumstances.
From aviation I moved into international sales at Brand Developers, managing performance across New Zealand, Australia and the USA at once. I helped launch the brand into the American market and set a single-day sales record of $1,000,000.
I returned home to Adelaide and joined News Corp, working across The Advertiser and 11 Messenger publications. Promoted to Senior Media Account Manager within three months, I built campaigns, won new business and sharpened the marketing instincts I now bring to every listing.
From there I stepped into construction and development. I learnt on the job, and I learnt fast. The industry confirmed what I’d long suspected, I was built for sales, and I was built for people.
Then in 2021, COVID-19 hit construction hard. Where others froze, I adapted. As a woman navigating two of Australia’s most male-dominated industries, I’d already learnt that backing yourself when others won’t is simply part of the job. I enrolled in my Diploma of Property, earned my licence, and made the decision that would define everything, I would build something of my own.
That same year, alongside my partner, we bought a commercial property in Stepney and turned it into something Adelaide’s property industry hadn’t quite seen before, a collaborative hub where architects, interior designers, accountants, marketing specialists, mortgage brokers and consultancy firms all work under one roof. Not just a workspace, but an ecosystem built deliberately to give clients seamless access to every expert they need, at every stage of their journey.
In 2024, with real estate experience behind me, that world-class network around me and an unshakeable belief in what I was creating, I founded Maison Realty, the culmination of every flight, every sale, every site visit, and every room I’d learnt to read.
If you’re ready to sell, buy, or simply want an honest conversation about what your property could achieve, I’d love to hear from you.
I’ve spent my whole life learning what makes people feel at home and I would be honoured to help you find yours. 💛
Elaina Picken
Founder & Principal
