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09/07/2017 12:00 AMThis was the William Raveis annual awards dinner. A glitzy, national affair held under the neon lights at Mohegan Sun. Gowns. Cocktail dresses. Suits and ties. It was the Grammys, only realtor-style. And 14-year old Kevin Ciardiello wanted to go. His mom was the company's new rock star.
"I had to ask Bill if it was OK," Rose Ciardiello said.
Bill Raveis started this whole thing in one room over a Fairfield grocery store in 1974. It's now the No. 9 ranked real estate company in the nation. In a corporate, conglomerate world, it is still a family-owned business: one that values family above all else.
"And he was thrilled that my son wanted to come and support me," Ciardiello said.
When Rose's 21-year old daughter, Kristen, a rising senior at UConn, saw a pre-dinner photo of Kevin wearing his sparkling new suit, well, she decided she was going to be there too.
Rose Ciardiello had a banner year in 2016. She was one of the state's top real estate sales associates for total sales volume. And with her family by her side, it made for a memorable evening last March at Mohegan Sun.
"It was an amazing experience," Ciardiello said. "It was very nice. My family was very proud and supportive. It was just so cool. Kevin was the only kid there."
Rose's other son, Michael, 19, couldn't attend. It was midweek and he was studying at the University of New Hampshire. But Michael learned soon enough about his mom's big night. Rose's award ribbons included:
*Chairman's Elite Club
*No. 7 Sales Associate in Connecticut in Sales Volume
*Top Associate in Closed Units for their Office
*Luxury Properties Specialist
*In Recognition of Outgoing Referral
*Top 25 Single Agents Sales Volume Companywide
*Top Producing Associate in their Office
*Top Listing Sales Associate in their Office
*Customer Service Award
"There is no secret," Ciardiello said. "I work seven days a week and the phone is by me 24/7. I'm a very active aggressive agent, I guess. And I really love it."
Her rapid ascent in the competitive real estate industry is becoming the stuff of legend. She's a two-time winner of the Five Star Professional's Rising Star R.E. Award and doesn't seem to be resting on her laurels anytime soon. After recording a sales volume of $17 million in 2016, she's closed 25 houses since January.
"I have no off button," Ciardiello said. "I give 100 percent no matter what I do. You really need to be on top of the pulse of things. It's part of what I enjoy doing and being successful is having your reputation out there. People know my work ethic. It's a very challenging, competitive business and really is time consuming."
After earning a nursing degree at the University of Bridgeport, Ciardiello became, at 22, the youngest head nurse at Park City Hospital. She also worked as the Patient Care Manager for the department of psychiatry at Waterbury Hospital for three years.
"I think that nursing background is helpful," Ciardiello explained. "It's just having that caring and nurturing background. I really enjoy working with my buyers and sellers and I love matching people up to their homes."
While Ciardiello was raising her three kids in Guilford, she stayed at home but still maintained her nursing license. When Kevin got older, she decided to change careers.
She had been looking for waterfront property - from Fairfield to Old Saybrook - for herself for a few years. Her husband, Peter, the owner of the Eli's Restaurant Group, soon noticed that Rose knew more about elevation certificates and flood zones than most of the agents. He encouraged her to get a real estate license.
"I thought I would do this as a part-time hobby...something for fun," Ciardiello said.
Ciardiello, however, was entering a real estate business that was no longer the seller's market it had been for so many years. She had to hustle, market and advertise.
"I hit the ground running and haven't looked back," she said.
From her office across the Guilford green, Ciardiello services the Shoreline with 23 listings right now. She's a charismatic and inspiring presence who is the founding member of the Cancer Support Community of Southern Connecticut. She is also involved in several cancer support groups.
As one of the state's top producing agents, Rose Ciardiello is in high demand.
"It doesn't matter if it's a $400,000 listing or a multi-millionaire dollar listing. I just like having the satisfaction of finding the right home for the right people," she said. "I do enjoy that. Even when I did double shifts and worked nights I never worked as hard as I do as a realtor."
Rose Ciardiello, Realtor, Luxury Properties Specialist can be reached at 203-314-6269.