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Conversation with Monika Tu: Founder and Director of the Black Diamondz Property Concierge & Philanthropist

Writer: LifeDesigner with Jingyu ChenLifeDesigner with Jingyu Chen

An Epic Life Trajectory Rooted in Resilience, Infinite Possibilities, and Giving Back




-The Origin of Love, Strength, and Fearlessness

Monika perceived her life as a journey, with giving back always at the core of her values—instilled in her from an early upbringing.

Born in 1962, she grew up in a politically tumultuous era, a time of cultural renovation in China marked by school shutdowns and material scarcity. Yet, despite these external hardships and constraints , the unconditional  love of her family became her solid rock. Raised in a materially inadequate yet emotionally enriching environment, she grew into a woman of strength and abundance, with fearlessness and relentlessness deeply ingrained in her.

Today, Monika thrives on the global stage—an ultimate testament to the conviction that the sky is the limit. It was her family’s emotional safety net that set her up for an extraordinary life trajectory. She also shared a key parenting insight: “Don’t hold back your child’s life; what you consider risks may be worth taking for them.”

Monika is inherently a joyful person and an avatar of energy. She truly upholds her powerful mentality: “No complaints, no comparisons, no playing the victim.”  while embracing whatever comes her way and makes the most of it.

  • No complaining about what has happened to you—certain circumstances are simply part of a broader history that builds who you are today

  • No comparing yourself to others' glory—you are unique on your own terms.

  • No playing the victim—truly, you are the only one who can save yourself.

This philosophy of living has profoundly shaped my own perspective and approach to life. She further emphasized:

“Don’t dwell on misery and sadness; remember the good things. Focus on what I can take from my past and present to build into a beautiful future. Just be genuinely happy, and learn to appreciate the benefits of hindsight.


-Relentless Pursuit Leads to Infinite Possibilities

She never set limits on herself. From China to Australia, from IT to real estate, she was always willing to start over and step into uncharted territory—a mastery spirit in its own right.

Leaving behind a prestigious job as an interpreter in China to wash dishes in Australia, she overcame psychological barriers, knowing that resilience would carry her through life's highs and lows. Her early hustle as a salesperson unlocked new potential, setting the stage for what was to come. Fifteen years of hard work culminated in the building of her first business empire in IT. Another fifteen years carved out her path as a real estate mogul. To this day, she still works relentlessly, never stopping. Her success isn’t the result of a golden touch but rather an alchemical journey rooted in hard work, honesty and intelligence.


Monika’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

1. The Impression You Make on People Matters

Showing genuine care and being kind are things everyone can do, but not everyone is willing to do. If you truly give passion, energy and curiosity to care someone,  you can go so far in that potential relationship.  Every business venture I’ve built is founded on relationships, not just transactions.

2. Work with People Better Than You—Mentorship Matters

You need to collaborate with experts and professionals to fill in your own gaps. I didn’t know anything about hard drives when I started my IT business, yet we turned a corner shop into an international corporation because we worked with the best brands and talents. My intelligence lies in assembling a team of experts and professionals to achieve success. My strength stems from my passion, energy, and talent for bringing people together.

3: We are not trying to compete with others; we are trying to be different

Personal branding is key. You must understand your uniqueness to carve out your niche market. When starting a business, you need to look at yourself and determine how you can stand apart from everyone else in the industry. Knowing what makes you different is what allows you to stand out. That’s how I built my brand—I’m not just a real estate agent; I am a lifestyle concierge.

4: You have to keep an open mind and be willing to learn. Humility is essential, and sometimes you need to go back to square one. Managing your emotions and not being ruled by your ego is often the hardest part. When transitioning into real estate, I had to start learning everything from scratch again. When you start, you are nobody. You have to be humble. All success is in the past. Today, I am successful, but I am still humble.


-The Deep “Why” That Drives Her

We further tap into the deep “why” that underpins her entire pursuit—her core value of giving back. For Monika, giving is not just lip service; she defines it as giving love, money and time. This core value has fueled her through different stages of life—from wealth-building to integrating philanthropy into her mission.

This core value also became her anchor during moments of industry toxicity and betrayal. In real estate, where backstabbing pushed her to the edge, the thought of giving up once crept into her mind. But it was her husband's empowering words that fundamentally reshaped her mindset:

"Remember, your initial vision is to give back. You’re not just selling people a piece of property—you’re helping them settle into a community and build a life here. If you give without expecting anything in return, you will be blessed by God. Embrace what you have; if you don’t have it, you don’t deserve it.”


She said, “My story is about staying true to my roots, working hard, and setting a goal—one that goes beyond just material success. I believe that if you truly want to grow far as an entrepreneur, you must be spiritual, with a higher purpose that grounds you and helps you evolve.”


She invites everyone to engage in deep introspection with a thought-provoking question: "Imagine you have everything in the world—all the money, success, and status you desire—what’s next?" She believes that the "what’s next" must tie into one’s ultimate goal, Monika added: “I know my ultimate goal—to give and to serve—will never go wrong. That’s why I can always persevere, no matter what challenges or difficulties arise in my life."






In part two, we zoom lens into the ethos of concierge beneath Black Diamondz. Monika said: "" The core of concierge is about giving clients what they want. The scope of concierge service spans the full spectrum of lifestyle."

Essentially, Black Diamondz Concierge is steeped in genuinely helping migrants (her major Chinese clientele and international clients) settle into a new community in Australia, extending beyond mere property selling to settlement advisory, consultation, and guidance on the local school system and social integration. Such an approach also led Monika to cultivate a key aspect of her personal branding—trust with clients. In high-end real estate, trust is hard-won and arguably the most difficult to build. Monika translates that pure intention of genuinely giving into her business DNA—laying out a solid foundation for Black Diamondz Concierge service.


Monika sees herself as a marketer, where personal branding is crucial. In a competitive landscape dominated by well-established agencies, some carrying over a century of legacy, how does she carve out a niche market and run a one-of-a-kind business? Monika said: "We are not trying to compete with others; we are just trying to be different." She fully harnesses the power of social media, embracing the latest techniques, such as AI, to curate strong and precise messages across multiple media platforms and channels. To align with her vision of going beyond mere property selling, Monika is a multi-hyphenate, relentlessly tapping into different domains and facets of life and embodying rich layers of lifestyle. She wears different hats and lives a multi-dimensional life. Apart from her main role as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, she is also a cultural ambassador, an avid art collector, a thought leader, and an endorser for numerous luxury brands. Monika said: " I am perhaps the only person who can create that lifestyle desire for migrants coming to this country."


When it comes to real estate, Monika believes that a property can sell itself through authentic and captivating storytelling at the core. She sees herself as a bridge that connects talents and expertise, translating passion, love, and energy into creative expressions—whether it's a short and sweet home tour video or any other form of creativity—ultimately bringing her vision to life. Once again, the goal is to reach a wider audience who can gain inspiration and meaningful takeaways from her sharing. Through my lens, Black Diamondz infuses humility and grace into each house, aligning the buyer’s energy and vision with the living space. It's about selling a home that fuels people's drive and ambition for a lofty and aspirational future. While her core business remains in real estate, Black Diamondz has expanded into new domains, culminating in the launch of The Diamond Club. As Monika put it: "Diamond Club is not just about membership—that’s so yesterday. It’s about gathering those we've trusted and worked with, continuing to collaborate, and going beyond transactions and sales. Hopefully, we're building a true Diamond community—where we explore new business opportunities, enjoy life, world-class products, and art, while also fostering charitable and philanthropic initiatives. It’s about meeting the right people in the right space, building meaningful connections that inspire positive change and contribute to society."


Love, money, and time lie in the beholder of Monika's give. Monika is deeply committed to her philanthropic calling at this stage in her life through influence-building. She believes that influence is not the end goal, but rather a powerful means to make a meaningful difference. People from all backgrounds trust her, influenced by her passion and vision, knowing she will use donations wisely. She also empowers others to consider, 'What can I give?' Monika’s influence reaches beyond borders, inspiring people in all corners of the world.

Her dedication to philanthropy is evident, consistently making breakthroughs. In 2024, Monika initiated the Gold Dinner, raising a record-breaking $33.4 million for the Sydney Children's Hospital. She also raised over $2 million for children's health at the 2025 Lunar New Year gala dinner. Monika is also an ambassador for the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), where she believes art nourishes children's souls and elevates their future. She received the Benefactor Award from the Children’s Cancer Institute in 2022 (presented by the Governor-General of Australia).


Monika said: '"Giving back is rewarding and beautiful. I do it for my own fulfillment," but I believe Monika embodies the true essence of altruism—a force driven by benevolence, kindness, and generosity—actively shaping a better world for everyone. In the end, I want to send out a powerful message from Monika: "Giving must come from within. It’s not about privilege; everyone has something to give. Even something as simple as a hug—it costs you nothing, yet it could change someone's life forever because that person will feel loved."


We ended the conversation with Monika featured on the Show: Luxe Listings Sydney, where laughter, joy, and heartfelt emotions permeated the air. It’s a conversation that will forever remain in my memory lane. I am committed to my journey with unwavering determination to add a bit of light to the world. Thank you, Monika, for being such a strong light for our Chinese community and for the world. I will always remember what Monika said: "Value and integrity are priceless. Uphold your values and keep your feet on the ground." I will fiercely protect my values and integrity forever.


You can find Monika at: 

Instagram: monikatu88

小红书:Monika 澳洲豪宅女王

 

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