Personal Philosophy
I have had my share of experience with the suave suit and tie wearing Realtor who wouldn’t think twice about ripping me off to make a higher commission.
The truth: when you are damn good at your job and perform at peak capacity, no one cares if you ditch the dorky suit and robotic vocabulary.
After all, haven’t we all met an impeccably dressed salesperson who doesn’t know their head from their ass?
I don’t want to be a stereotypical Realtor. I want my personality to shine through everything I do, from branding to marketing videos to social content. I want the clientele to know their needs will be met with outstanding service and that we’ll all have fun doing it! Afterall, people that appreciate this about us don’t want to do a deal with the suave suit and tie guy.
Fun Facts About Me
I cannot say no to animals, which is probably why we have so many. I definitely see a farm in my future.
I have 5 tattoos. One says, “P.S. I love you”. The “P” stands for my daughter Priya, and the “S” for my son Sterling. Clever eh?
I am an excellent markswoman. Just call me Annie Oakley.
I have a sweet tooth and have mastered the art of sugary treats. Just don’t ask me to cook you a meal…yuck.
James asked me to marry him when I was just 19. Spoiler alert – I said yes!
Prior to Real Estate, I studied to become a Chartered Professional Accountant, but ended up pursuing a career in Cyber Security with a Top 4 Global Firm.
In 2015 I obtained my (CISSP) and Real Estate License while on maternity leave. I can’t sit still!
Why I am passionate about helping others pursue their real estate goals
Since I was very young, I realized the incredible power of investing in real estate. I genuinely want others to enjoy the same benefits that my husband and I have enjoyed.
James and I bought our first house when I was 19 and he was 21 (I said young…right!). Shortly after, we both got jobs in downtown Toronto and decided to rent out our home. It was during this time that we began realizing the incredible potential of investing in Real Estate. We later sold our brand new motorcycle and leveraged the equity in our first home to purchase a second income property. Ultimately, we were able to buy a third property that would become our primary residence.
Others can be doing the same thing and enjoying the same benefits that I had accomplished at just 29.
By 2017, when I was 29 years old, and due to intense market upswing, James and I were able to refinance our first home (which we had been renting for several years), sell our second income property, and pay off the mortgage on our primary residence. Imagine, 29 and mortgage free! It was at this time that James and I left the rat race to start Evoke Realty Group in Barrie, Ontario Canada.
Our early investments in Real Estate are what have allowed us to build a home in Costa Rica and move our family to paradise! The incredible wealth opportunity and ability to share it with others is what originally drove me into Real Estate sales.
The best part, you don’t have to start when you’re 19. My parents didn’t kick start their real estate investing until well into their 50’s and now enjoy 4 rental properties in Canada and a vacation home in Florida.
My background in accounting and my real estate experience helps me ensure my clients are protected
I did not just wake up one day and decide to sell Real Estate. My goal was to be a Chartered Professional Accountant, what a snoozefest that would have been for me! That goal, however, provided me with over 5 years of valuable finance, economic, business, and contract law education. In addition, I gained personal investment experiences that not all Realtors have had.
After University I spent 5+ years in Cyber Security Consulting, where I specialized in identifying weaknesses in the cyber security programs of Fortune 500 companies and educating their leadership teams on how to prepare for disaster recovery and business continuity. No, I have never hacked anyone. Yes, we had teams that did hack (ethically of course), and overall Cyber Security is way cooler in the movies!
Basically, all that knowledge combined with the real estate experience I have acquired, means I know what I am talking about. I didn’t learn all I know in a weekend real estate course and that is reflected in the success of Evoke Realty Group. I use that experience to protect my clients and to negotiate and secure investment opportunities that can change lives.
One of the greatest things I value in life are the experiences I have. It is my goal to provide my clients with an experience they won’t soon forget.
Hands down, the most important job I have as a realtor is protecting my clients.
Boring Facts About Me
Awards
Our company, Evoke Realty Group, has won numerous awards. I’m most proud of the 2018 Barrie Business Award – Pay it Forward. It is essential to give back to the community and we will continue to do so as realtors in Costa Rica.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration from Laurentian University (2012)
Advanced Business Administration from Georgian College (2009)
Licensure and Certifications
Licensed Realtor®
Member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
