From Trauma to Trusted Authority: The Story Behind the Name Roza Sure Bagus
Roza Sure Bagus did not enter the real estate industry by chance.
When she began her career in 1998, it was not coincidence nor circumstance — it was conviction. She believes that every chapter of her life was already "written in the master book", even the painful ones that would later shape her resilience, purpose, and legacy.
Born with the long and distinctive name Dayangku Rozarita Jais, she understood early that identity matters — not just personally, but professionally. When she first embarked on her real estate journey, her first property mentor shared a pivotal insight: to stand out and last in a demanding and ever-changing industry, one must build a strong, memorable personal brand.
Her original name, while meaningful, was lengthy and difficult to remember. After much reflection, she created the trade name Roza Sure Bagus — simple, positive, and intentional. The name was inspired by the then-popular Singapore-Japan talent quest Asia Bagus, a cultural phenomenon of its time similar to today's America's Got Talent. The word "Bagus", meaning "good" or "excellent", reflected the values she wanted her work — and reputation — to embody.
That name would go on to become more than a tagline.
It became a promise.
Adopted as a child and only discovering the truth when she entered Primary 1, Roza grew up navigating questions of identity and belonging from a young age. Life, however, presented further trials. As she began her career as a real estate agent, she also endured a turbulent first marriage — balancing emotional upheaval while trying to establish credibility in a commission-based, high-pressure profession.
Many would have walked away.
Roza chose to rise.
Through years of perseverance, discipline, and self-belief, she built a reputation not merely as a property agent, but as a trusted advisor — one who understands that property decisions are rarely just financial, but deeply emotional. Her lived experiences shaped her professional ethos: empathetic, grounded, and purpose-driven.
In 2007, she made history when she was appointed a Property Columnist by Berita Harian, becoming the first Malay property agent to hold the role. From 2007 to 2009, she educated readers through creative storytelling rooted in real-life cases, making property knowledge accessible, practical, and engaging for everyday Singaporeans.
Her clarity of thought and ability to explain complex issues soon made her a sought-after media voice. Roza was frequently invited for interviews by Mediacorp TV and Berita Harian, and was also featured on Channel NewsAsia (CNA), where she shared insights on consumer education — including how the public can choose the right property agent and avoid costly mistakes in property transactions.
Beyond print and broadcast media, Roza's passion for communication found expression on stage. An active member of Singapore Toastmasters, she won several speaking contests and became known for her warm, engaging delivery and natural ability to connect instantly with audiences. These qualities established her as an effective public speaker, trainer, and facilitator.
A lifelong learner, Roza openly describes herself as a "seminar junkie". Over the years, she has invested tens of thousands of dollars into courses, seminars, and bootcamps — believing that mastery, relevance, and growth require continuous self-investment. To her, self-discipline and goal-setting are non-negotiable.
Her forward-thinking mindset was evident early on.
After returning from an international study trip to the United States in 2009/2010 with the Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Roza became one of the earliest property agents in Singapore to adopt video as a professional tool — long before video marketing became industry standard.
During that same period, she achieved another significant professional milestone. Roza earned the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, a rigorous examination-based certification issued by NAR. She received her certification award in the United States in 2010, during the IEA study trip in Los Angeles — marking her commitment to global standards and cross-border property expertise.
Today, she is one of the rare breed of property agents licensed to practise in both Singapore and Malaysia, bringing cross-market insight and regional perspective to her clients — a capability that remains uncommon in the industry.
What began as early adoption of global exposure and visual communication has since evolved into a full embrace of technology and artificial intelligence. Today, Roza scripts, films, edits, and produces her own educational content — defying age stereotypes and proving that adaptability is driven not by youth, but by mindset.
That belief was further embodied in 2025, when Roza completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the age of 58.
"To me, there is no age boundary to learning," she says.
Her resilience and leadership were recognised internationally in 2023, when she was invited to Jakarta to receive the Top Professional Woman 2023/2024 award at the ASEAN Trusted Awards, organised by Indonesia Award Magazine — an event that gathered distinguished achievers from across the APAC region.
Perhaps her most personal milestone came with the publication of her autobiography, Rise Above - From Trauma to Tremendous. Written especially for women who have experienced divorce, hardship, or self-doubt, the book carries a powerful message: no matter how broken the chapter, it is always possible to rise above and emerge stronger.
The book also serves as a candid reminder to aspiring property agents that the industry is not for the faint-hearted. Success demands grit, consistency, rigorous self-discipline, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
Today, Roza is preparing a new series of books and training programmes focused on Asset Progression in the Singapore property market, as well as branding and personal authority — aimed at real estate professionals, working adults, and small business owners.
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring or "wannabe" property agents, her response reflects the values behind the name she built decades ago:
"Nurture your passion not only into profits, but into something meaningful for your community. Build a career that leaves a legacy — one that inspires others, helps people rise, and creates impact beyond yourself."
Her story is not one of overnight success.
It is the story of a woman who turned adversity into authority, a name into a promise, and lived experience into a legacy — proving that resilience, when paired with purpose, can stand the test of time.
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