Guiding Principles of Real Estate

I have been a lifelong entrepreneur. At the age of 18, I opened a specialty sports retail store. Over the next 17 years, I grew that business into a five-store retail chain. With the increase in online and cross-border shopping, the writing was on the wall. I figured if you can’t beat them, join them, so I closed my stores. Then I co-founded one of Canada’s first private e-commerce websites. We offered insider pricing on premium outdoor action sports gear. 

This led to the appearance on CBC’s The Dragon’s Den and although we received offers, we could not secure a deal on the show. Undeterred, I continued on with the business and later sold the company to a private equity firm.

After that, I was left with the question… What’s next? Having never worked for someone else, I knew I was virtually unemployable. My wife and I were in the midst of building our second house and our second child was on the way. During this time, I helped my wife build her interior design business. She focussed on multi-family residential builds and worked with a lot of developers, who I got to know throughout the years. I remember meeting with my accountant that year and he asked me what I would do. I told him I was thinking about selling Real Estate. He told me it was a good idea because I was “good-looking and made people laugh.” He had other clients that were grumpy and ugly and they did very well. He figured it was a good fit.

I took all the years of the ups and downs of owning my own business and applied them to Real Estate. Everyone thinks having your own business and being your own boss must be great. And it is, but only the people who have done it themselves understand how hard it can be. The late nights and worry can be a lot for you and your family. I know what you’re dealing with because I’ve been there as well. I help my clients plan for the future, looking at what their family’s needs will be 2-5-10 years down the road. From first-time buyers to downsizing retirees, everyone's goals are different and a plan needs to be made to get you there. I've also built my own equity through Real Estate. I have moved my family 8 times in the last 12 years, but it has allowed me to take a step up and forward with each move.

Let my experience be your guide. I’ve made many mistakes and learned a lot through my experience and working with clients. I’ve surrounded myself with professionals to help you maximize the most out of your investment. My Mortgage broker specializes in entrepreneurs and small business owners. Banks will look at you differently as a self-employed individual, so she knows what they need and knows how to get you approved. My Interior Designer specializes in Sales centers and show suites for developers.  She'll give ideas and suggestions on what minor things need moving or adjusting. Buying and Selling Real Estate can be a very stressful time and my goal is to take as much of that burden off your shoulders and make it as stress-free as possible. I take pride in building long-term relationships with my clients as they build their real estate portfolios.