Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate in 2022 | Alex Leveto

ALEX LEVETO

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PABLO GARNICA

SIMPLIFYING REAL ESTATE

For Pablo Garnica, real estate was never his area of interest. However, his knack of wanting to solve problems and build things facilitated a long-standing relationship with the real estate industry.

With the unique vision of bridging the digital gap in the Real Estate investment market, Pablo along with his Co-Founder started Arextech, a company that builds real estate investment software for investors aiming to leverage data network effects.

Exeleon interviews this inluential leader from the industry to know more about his journey, vision, and about Arextech.

What, according to you, makes one an inluential leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

In my experience, the best and most effective leaders have motivated people to want to achieve common goals as if they were their own. They are less like enforcers and more like advocates for a bigger purpose. An inluential leader makes people's work's value clear and is eloquent in articulating the mission's goal.

In my mind, there's a difference between being a leader and being in power. Most people have experienced situations where these roles were held by different people in an organisation. Being in power means that when someone you work with asks

"why?" you can get away with "Because I said so". Being a leader is having a better answer.

Talk to us about your growing up years. What prompted your interest and your foray into the real estate space?

I've never had a particular interest in real estate, or at least that's what I thought. My interests lay more in solving problems and building things (no pun intended). But I've always been annoyed to hear "that's the way it's always been done" or "that can't be done". These answers were commonplace in almost anything relating to real estate leading up to this venture.

The attractiveness of the real estate problem lies in both the challenge of being part of the next (long overdue) wave of disruption and the potential that lies in solving it.

Its potential is undeniable. There are few things so universal that, one way or another, everyone in the world is a real estate client at some point in their life.

What was the idea that led to the formation of Arextech? What was the thought behind the name of the company?

It was more pull than push.

I worked in inance, offering investment advisory and execution for all types of assets, liquid, and alternative. The one thing we didn't provide our

Garnica

clients was direct investments in real estate. My Cofounder, Miguel, and I began discussing options to transact real estate digitally, making it faster, safer, and cheaper. It still bafles us that the average cost of transacting real estate amounts to 10% of the asset's value under the best circumstances.

We socialised the idea of potentially using blockchain for this purpose, and we started getting more traction than expected, to the point where we received recognition and awards internationally. I had a decision to make and eventually decided to go for it. We have since then adapted our business to address the reality of the digital gap in real estate, focusing on process digitalisation.

The company's name comes from our initial vision of making real estate investing more like current liquid investments. The "A" in AREX comes from the name we gave to the irst formal project we presented to a competition (Aura), and "REX" is an acronym for Real Estate Exchange.

As the Founder, what role do you play in the day-today proceedings of the company?

There isn't much difference between founders and non-founders if you look at the day-to-day. We each have our responsibilities and strive towards common goals in our respective areas.

As founders, I'd say that we have the extra job of putting it all together and building a narrative that does justice to everyone's work and sets us up to achieve our long-term goal.

What is the process/approach followed by Arextech to ensure optimal client satisfaction?

We obsess about the problem, not our product. We can only satisfy our clients if we are solving a problem. This isn't a novel approach, as others have expressed this idea before us, but it seems this notion is lost early in digital product companies.

Our approach requires a thorough understanding of the problem and those who suffer it the most. We can systematically ind the right clients and focus on innovating how we drive value instead of innovating for innovation's sake alone.

This is particularly relevant for us because we're pushing for a new and better way of doing things. It's an evangelist sale instead of a discount sale. The value of what is delivered is clear (and already commoditised) in a discount sale, and the critical decision factor is almost entirely down to pricing. Evangelist sales are more complicated.

Intimate knowledge of the problem real estate investors face is a credential for our clients that turns us into a partner rather than a mere seller. This approach aligns our interests with our clients'.

What has the journey been like for Pablo Garnica over the years? Looking back, what would you have done differently when starting?

My perception of my story changes over time, even if the facts remain the same. It's probably because some aspects and stages take longer to distil into lessons. This chapter is relatively recent, so any conclusions speciic to it will be feeble because it's still unfolding.

However, looking at the broader journey, I can say that I couldn't have planned or designed it. With that in mind, the one thing that I would change is the energy spent on being vexed when things turn out differently than I expected. More and more, I strive to focus on the process, be satisied with what I do, and be less concerned about the outcome.

This isn't to say the outcome is irrelevant - it's likely the only thing the world will ever see, which is why it is vital to review your own story and be honest about it to continue to succeed or do better next time. Review your story periodically, and instead of wondering: "why did this happen/not happen", better think: "how/when will I use this" and "where does this leave my overarching story".

What would be your advice for aspiring and emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs?

At the beginning of this venture, I would think that keeping occupied would lead to things happening. It's not the case.

Make sure that you build processes that work for you and not the other way around. Often, we are our own worst enemy when we burden our present and future selves with busy work.

My advice is to focus on staying productive, not busy.

Finally, what does the future look like for you and Arextech?

Following these past transformative years, I'm

optimistic that the need for a paradigm shift is, at the very least, apparent to key stakeholders. This, combined with the recent work carried out by Arextech, puts us in a position to be an effective agent of change in real estate investing.

As for me, I strive to continue to work on problems worth solving, not too worried about what that path may look like.

Author & Realtor

Community Choice Realty

JASON GELIOS

THE PIONEERING REALTOR

What according to you makes one a transformational leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

For me, being a transformational leader means knowing who you are and what you stand for. In real estate, I'm known for providing value to others irst without any expectations. Those who interact with me learn that they can count on me as a source of value and a solution provider to their needs. When you go out into the world leading in this way, you set a good example that people feed off of.

Talk to us about your growing up years. What is your earliest memory as a leader that you can remember?

Throughout middle school I developed major behavioral issues and could not keep my impulses at bay. I would disrupt classes and often get suspended. My behavior led me to repeat the 6th grade. This brings me to my earliest memory of being a leader because I had decided to try out for the 8th grade basketball team to help curb my enthusiasm. Many had said that I should join the team because I was tall for my age. While I was not a very good player, making this decision on my own deined what a leader has to do-to go against the grain in hopes for a positive outcome. Fast forward to the moment where I had grown tired of where I was in life, I had to become my own

leader to change the path I was on for a better future. Little did I know that others were watching what I was doing and gaining inspiration from my actions.

What prompted your interest and subsequently your foray into the real estate industry?

I was introduced to the mortgage industry through a family member who said that I would be great at sales. Some years earlier I had met my wife and was inspired by her commitment to her goals of wanting to become a nurse. I watched her study for tests as we spent hours in libraries. That was when I decided that enough is enough. It was time to pursue my own goals and to design a life that best suited me. I decided to take the plunge to become a professional sales person. Something inside me didn't want to be where I was. I certainly did not want to continue making the lower income that I was making in those jobs. That was the point in my life where I decided to change direction and reinvent myself. Once I made that decision I never looked back.

What is the approach followed by you in order to ensure optimal client satisfaction through your services?

I approach others as a value provider meaning I only focus on what problem(s) I need to solve for them so that they can be successful. Whether it's a home buyer

looking for their next home, a home seller wanting the most money for their property, or even a colleague asking me for advice, I provide them value irst without expectations so they can ind success.

Talk to us about your book Think Like a REALTOR®. Why would you recommend someone to must read the book?

My goal in writing this book was and still is to educate people on the real estate process with tips driven by real world experience which could save someone thousands of dollars. I've always had a love for books as far back as I can remember so it was a no brainer to share my expertise in the form of a book. It's been my experience that people don't seek real estate advice until they absolutely need it. The goal of this book is to provide real estate education in a medium that is easy to understand and digest.

I recommend anyone looking to buy or sell residential real estate to get a copy of this book to avoid the expensive mistakes that could happen in real estate. I also recommend real estate agents get a copy to learn valuable lessons that they may not have known prior to reading this book.

What has the journey been like for Jason Gelios over the years? Looking back, what would you have done differently?

I would say my biggest regret is not getting started in real estate earlier in my life. When I began in this industry, I was married with kids and working to be an active igure in their lives. It was challenging to learn a whole new industry and put in the time to excel at it. This is why I educate my children on the importance of building a life irst before taking the plunge in other areas such as marriage or deciding to have children. It would have been much easier for me to hustle and achieve success faster without other obligations. A part of me does feel that these moments and challenges deined who I am today so maybe I wouldn't be the same person had I not gone through those times.

What has been the biggest roadblock during your journey? What has been your biggest learning?

I would say the biggest roadblock during my journey has been the lack of time. I'm someone who has many things going on at once, so it can be challenging to get everything done to my satisfaction. This is why I'm always juggling time management between work and personal activities to be sure that I am paying attention to both. I also learned early on that there is no balanced time management. I've learned that sometimes things will get out of balance, and we have to acknowledge this and move forward.

What would be your advice for aspiring and emerging business leaders in the real estate market?

I feel that real estate leaders need to adapt further to the ever-changing role of a real estate agent. I've seen many ofices providing the same formula to all agents without really looking at how the professional can excel their own way. The real estate leaders that will succeed going forward will be the ones who adapt to the real estate agents needs by showing them how to build their own brand and get business on their own. Figuring out different ways to get in front of those who want or need to buy or sell a home. Real estate leaders should learn what the individual agent is good at and build their training around those things.

Finally, what does the future look like for you, both professionally and personally?

I'm continuing to build my brand and business by offering my expertise through leading news outlets and platforms. I'm also working on my second book, which is my passion project, about how we can change our life for the better and live a life that is on our own terms. My overall focus is to continue being a value provider in my space.

AMY BUYNOSKI

A Trailblazer in the Residential Lending Industry

Revisiting the past year, many changes took place because of an all-consuming pandemic worldwide. With disruption setting up the new normal, great strides are being taken by real estate players to capitalize on this through advanced and innovative methods. However, home ownership comes with its own set of challenges for the buyers. The lack of transparency, mounds of paperwork, and unnecessary delays can be an intimidating process for potential home seekers, especially irst-time retail buyers.

To help combat these issues, Amy Buynoski is changing the face of the mortgage industry through her simple solutions. Amy is a lending

oficer at South State Bank with almost 20 years of experience and leads a team that provides unparalleled service to her clients.

According to Amy a leader is someone “who can see how things can be improved and will go above and beyond to achieve their vision. They are someone who shares the same goals and values as their team which allows them to achieve their goals.” She also believes being emphatic is another key attribute that deines a leader and helps form long-lasting connections with people.

INITIATING EASY MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS

Amy began her journey in the

mortgage industry by taking a class to become an appraiser. She quickly realized that she wanted to have more day-to-day contact with people. This elevated her to become a lending oficer and it has been her one and only career since then. During her journey, she fell in love with helping people and making their dream of homeownership a reality.

South State Bank's mission is to make the mortgage process easy. Amy and the BuyNow Team started their relationship with South State in December of 2019. From the beginning, they were supported by a staff that truly cared about the customer experience. This was done by ensuring that there are loan oficers to work closely with

the clients at every step of the way.

Amy and her team do not look at a customer as just another application, and thus found it important to be with a company that understands the customer's pain points and inds sustainable results.

STRIVING & THRIVING THROUGH COVID-19

As with all industries, COVID-19 has had a drastic impact on the entire Financial Services industry and has allowed banks, such as South State Bank, to provide their clients with a more eficient experience through improved technology.

While the face-to-face aspect of the Financial Services industry may be evolving, South State has been able to thrive in this new environment with their exceptional technology features and personalized customer services to each client. Now, more than ever, the client deserves to feel a more personal connection to their inancial institution, and Amy and her team are proud to provide that in each aspect of their bank.

“COVID hit and we had to adjust our normal way of going about doing loans, but through the thick of COVID we were supported and given the best tools to end 2020 on a great note,” she recalls.

Amy also credits South State's lexibility to provide all the resources and tools that were needed to continue with the work. She says, “We found ways to communicate without being in the same ofice as other staff. Through

zoom, teams, and the good old fashion telephone we kept open communication with everyone. We stayed competitive with rates by following the market and keeping up with the day-to-day news.”

AMY AND HER DYNAMIC TEAM

Everyone on the BuyNow team shares the same goal — ensuring optimal client satisfaction. Amy says, “Each team member has responsibilities to ensure the client is receiving timely updates and are meeting contractual deadlines.” She believes her team's determination, talent, and like-minded goals are key drivers in making her succeed as a trailblazing leader.

Additionally, her team are experts in the residential lending industry who keep their borrowers informed throughout the process, so they know what is happening at each step. They like to think outside the box when solving problems for their clients. Besides this, they also offer complimentary second opinions for borrowers to compare lenders and ensure they have made the best inancial decision for themselves and their family. The positive letters and emails from customers are a huge testament to the quality of services that are delivered.

Amy believes in forming a deep relationship with her clients and their future, “We are not the transaction team. We view it as being a part of someone's story and the impact it has on them, their family, and their future. We love connecting with people.” In addition, the collective experience

of her and her team has allowed them to navigate through almost every situation, fearlessly.

Another fact that brings out the best out of the BuyNowTeam is their communication channel. “I have open communication with my clients from the very beginning,” she adds. They personally call their clients and ensure all the options are in a lucid and digestible form. Moreover, providing detailed emails with reminders of things to-do and not-to-do like including 10 Commandments of Home Buying, whiteboard videos, and in-process milestone emails makes the interaction more trustworthy, personal, and wholesome.

However, for any young leader looking to enter the Financial Services industry, Amy would highly recommend that opportunity for long-term personal and professional growth. “Throughout my career in this industry, I have experienced so much growth in both aspects of my life and will cherish those rewards and memories long after the next generation of young professionals have entered the workforce,” she concludes.

AN EMPOWERING ROAD AHEAD

The Financial Services industry is growing more complex and more competitive with each passing day and South State is striving to leave their mark for the long-term in this industry. As cut-throat as the business may be, it cannot replace how you treat people and the services you provide clients. Partners will remember the process

and how they were treated. Customer service and experience will win every time. People will want to work with people who they can trust, and who they know care about them and their future. Amy is excited to be a part of such a great institution and knows the best is yet to come for South State Bank, her team, and her community.

While uncovering her future course of actions for the company, she says, “In the next few years I see the

South State growing and becoming well-known throughout the South. We are constantly looking for the next direction in how to better the Bank and in the past year and a half we have already doubled. I am excited about the South State's future.”

Amy's heart is illed with gratitude for the work she gets to do every day. “I am thankful that I have a career that allows me to make a difference in someone's life. I am

also thankful that my career has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people and the friendships I have built over the years. The day is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding, and I honestly love my job and the people I work with,” she concludes.

CHARLAR ACAR

AnEpitomeofTrust, Commitment, and Excellence

Leadership, in the post-COVID era, has become more perceptive. It is no longer bound to its dictionary definition. In fact, it has demonstrated the same metamorphosis that a caterpillar undergoes to evolve into a butterfly, and our changing preferences and outlooks have played the role of a catalyst.

Even as the world continues to witness a myriad of paradigm shifts, there is a strong possibility that the leaders of this era are poised for success by leaps and bounds. Regardless of what industry we're associated with, a significant part of our daily lives revolves around seeking inspiration and the fruits of experience from such leaders.

One prominent example—that we exhibit through this story—is that of Charlar Acar, the Global Real Estate Advisor at New York Casas.

THE ROOTS OF HIS CRAFT

Diving deeper into his journey, we get a glimpse of what makes Charlar a leading real estate leader. Life, being nothing less than a hardcore endurance race, has usually thrown hurdles at him.

However, Charlar attributes his aspect of perseverance to his single mother; a woman who he

mentions to be inherently tough, extremely hardworking, and unwaveringly resilient.

Almost every summer, she'd send Charlar to Turkey in an effort to keep him in proximity to his culture, traditions and, most importantly, family. Her constant guidance and herculean efforts to survive in unknown territory with limited resources, are what emboldened Charlar both personally and professionally.

As to what made him choose the real estate industry, a close friend of Charlar's stepfather was a broker and advised working alongside him, somewhat of an apprenticeship, and to decide whether or not Charlar had potential in this industry.

Initially, it wasn't what Charlar had expected, and decided to venture out on his own, joining Nest Seekers International as an individual agent. He always had a certain affinity for architecture but didn't have the academic aptitude to become an architect – but he still vicariously pursued that profession through Real Estate.

A PERFECT BALANCE

Providing a brief insight into Charlar's daily life, he begins his day with a great boost of oxytocin tending to his beagle, Hank.

Charlar's schedule is sporadic, and he needs to be available round the clock for his clients. “I rarely have a full day off, as there is always a task to complete or follow up on. I remain active in the community, attend networking events, and meet with my colleagues on a weekly basis,” adds.

Finding the equilibrium between personal and professional life was one of Charlar's main struggles in the early stages of his career. “We are not machines, and the burn out syndrome could become your plight if you do not set boundaries,” he added.

A NAME SYNONYMOUS WITH TRUST

When it comes to Charlar's professional voyage, he has always been dedicated to the core values that drive New York Casas towards success.

New York Casas is a premier online real estate brokerage that aids foreign nationals in buying, managing, and selling their New York City properties. Growing at 100% year over year, New York Casas is projected to become the top reference for international real estate in the city.

Its vision is to remain as a bespoke, boutique firm yet mighty. Comprised of a diverse group of international agents that offer a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience, the team at New York Casas fosters lifelong relationships, instead of pursuing rapid deals.

“It is imperative that we remain committed to high standards

including discretion, integrity, and reputation as our core values,” says Charlar.

As a dedicated and driven team member, Charlar continuously strives to cultivate ways of adding value to any transaction that he is involved in. Transparency, accountability, and communication are invaluable attributes for his clients, and he aspires to provide prudent and objective real estate advice that is executable and sound, while maintaining a highly comprehensive 'finger on the pulse' approach on the market.

LESSONS THAT MADE HIM BETTER

Throughout his professional journey, Charlar has endured and championed several challenges. It is praiseworthy how he has proficiently transformed those hurdles into lessons that now push the sails of his ship.

Taking us back to the early stages of his novice career, Charlar recalls that he wasn't as disciplined and consistent as he should have been. He could concoct a variety of excuses and blame his adolescence or naivety. He now understands that he has become more aware of his potential and now reacts more assertively.

Charlar expresses that there are over 35,000 licensed agents in NYC, and he could be easily disposable. The competition is ferocious and there is a plethora of highly skilled agents. In an effort to remain on 'top of mind', one must be proactive, determined, and motivated.

Some challenges and lessons that Charlar wishes to share include how he dwells and sulks for excessive periods on what could have been, especially when a transaction crumbles. Charlar admits that some hurdles are disheartening and demoralizing, but he has been teaching himself to realize that not all components are under his control.

He comprehends that often he has to appease several different parties for even the simplest deals to occur but there is only so much time, energy and emotions that one can invest.

He also explains that one may very well be missing out on other fruitful ventures and opportunities if they remain fixated on one deal that never was. Furthermore, since Charlar and his fellow real estate connoisseurs are in sales, they must constantly follow up with clients and remain proactive.

He adds that idling will achieve nothing, especially in an ultra-highpaced and competitive market as NYC. However, there is a fine line of being too eager and assertive, clients and colleagues will immediately sense that. Always remaining calm and composed and learning how to say 'no' when necessary is what Charlar believes is the key.

Adding upon the lessons part, Charlar also regrets not joining a well-established team when he began his career. The guidance and tutelage one could receive from a team leader is crucial in acclimating to the industry and propelling their career.

THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP

With an extended emphasis on impactful leadership, Caglar expresses that a leader must always be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Knowing oneself to the core and being aware of their capabilities is imperativetomanagingbothoneselfandothers.

Headdsthatidentifyingcleartangiblegoalsisacrucial component and deciphering one's priority will guide them in determining their mission. By collaborating without ego, showcasing humility and in certain occasions, vulnerability, will garner the respect of one'steamandfellowcolleagues.

As advice—based on personal experiences—for aspiring and emerging leaders in the real estate space, Caglar shares that one must always be willing to learn fromothercolleaguesandindustryleaders.

He advices to do one's utmost best to remain enthusiastic about their profession and constantly surround themselves with individuals that are smarter andmoresuccessful.

Prioritizing one's daily activities and sticking to them is a vital aspect asl well. He also emphasizes on how planning is crucial and so is allocating time when one can fully focus on their business, every day. “It is easy to become distracted but having a strict regimen will haveitsdividends,”Caglarexpresses.

HE ENVISIONS A PROMISING TOMORROW

Charlar and the New York Casas are on a very promising and exciting trajectory. Although the firm was established less than a decade ago, it has made significant strides and is being regarded as one of the premier boutique firms, servicing both domestic and international clientele.

The firm's principal broker, Philip Hordijk, is dedicated to expanding New York Casas in a variety of ways and is strongly opposed to complacency. Charlar explains that this expansion is not solely in terms of the number of agents but also the firm's quality of service and expertise that would make it an indispensable resource for its current and future clients.

He says that it is challenging to predict what the future may hold. However, Charlar is elated to be working alongside a wonderful group of colleagues that have a profound and genuine passion for real estate and every aspect of life.

“There are no limitations on how successful you can become, as long as you're able to envision and implement that ambitious attitude with effective sustainable action,” Charlar concludes.

ABridgeBetweenYouand YourDream Home

Amansion, a penthouse, a condo, an apartment – all of these are simply variants of four walls and a roof. The feeling you get when you arrive at a place after a long day of work – where you feel safe, content, and at peace – is what makes it a home.

Finding the right home for you and your family is much harder without the right market knowledge and expertise at your side from someone you can trust.

Enter Christine Cowern and Tara Lee Cooks, Toronto's leading real estate specialists, whose mission is to give every buyer and seller the 5-star service that they deserve.

Christine and Tara are the Managing Partners of The Christine Cowern Real Estate Team at Sage Real Estate. The duo believes that every buyer and seller the team works with should receive the very best service, expertise, marketing exposure, guidance, and communication.

Here are the highlights of Christine's and Tara's journey in the Canadian real estate sector, their opinions and perspectives on leadership, and their vision for the future of their team.

A TALE OF EXCELLENCE

Nine years ago, Christine made the daunting decision to step out of her role as an independent realtor and start building her own team of high performing agents - in part because of her ambitious nature and in part because she wanted to provide opportunities for other women in the industry to build successful real estate careers. And The Christine Cowern Real Estate Team was born.

An all-female team based in Toronto, Canada, Christine has built the team into the powerhouse that it

is - with five full-time sales representatives, a full-time administrative coordinator, and a full-time client care specialist not to mention their marketing and advertising partners. In 2021 they doubled their business - no small feat considering that for the previous eight years they've consistently ranked in the Top 1-2% with their local board for number of properties sold.

For both Tara and Christine, working in their unique ability zones has paved the way to success. Tara works in the field with the team's clients, so she's on the ground and working in a managerial role. Meanwhile, Christine is more involved with operations, overseeing the marketing, advertising, client and lead generation initiatives, and making sure that systems and processes are running like a well-oiled machine. A few years ago she also started her own coaching business for realtors to create 7-figure businesses and teams.

We asked the duo what prompted their interest in getting into the real estate industry, to which they said, “We came from very different backgrounds. Christine had worked in journalism and public relations but decided she wanted to be her own boss and saw real estate as a new exciting challenge and Tara had spent many years buying her own investment properties so getting her license was the most logical next step.”

What appealed to both of them was the unlimited potential of real estate and the flexibility that it gave them. “We're both ambitious and it was the perfect fit,” explained Christine.

And how did their relationship start? The duo worked together on the same real estate team in 2006. When Christine started her own team it was a natural choice for Tara to join her in a senior sales representative role. The rest is history.

BRINGING THE A-GAME

For Christine and Tara's team, providing the best service starts with anticipating their clients' needs and meeting them at every stage in the buying or selling process. Their needs always come first and if that means talking a client out of purchase or sale that's not in their best interest, that's what they'll do.

Each team member has helped to create the supportive yet driven culture that the team has - one that encourages hitting sales goals as much as it does have much-needed down time in an industry that is known for long hours and a non-stop work ethic.

From their systems to their client care to the mindset work that the team does to stay engaged, motivated and high performing, for the team there's never an end to growth and staying focused on personal and professional excellence.

“We'd much rather forfeit a commission check, than encourage our clients to make decisions they'll

regret. We're a heart-led team who treats our clients like we would treat a family member or friend and from the first conversation with us to the services we continue providing years after someone has closed on their property, we're committed to creating as seamless and positive of an experience as possible for everyone who hires us,” the duo expressed.

For Christine and Tara, helping their team members to see their own potential and what individual strengths that they can bring to the table to help them reach not only their individual goals but the team's goals as a whole, is key.

Added Tara, “Each team member we have is invaluable to our growth and contributes on a massive level, one that both Christine and I are very grateful for. They've all helped to not only create the strong culture that we have but the repeat and referrals business that comes from putting their best selves forward every single day.”

OPINIONS THAT MATTER

On the topic of what makes someone

a pioneering leader and how they integrate the same thought into their leadership, both women shared the same sentiment. “There are definitely certain qualities that pioneering leaders share – they're great at initiating change, they're risk takers and aren't afraid to try something new, they trust their gut and they're able to not only stretch out of their own comfort zone but motivate others to do the same,” they explained.

The duo and the entire team are always looking for ways that they can strive for and achieve excellence, even if that means taking a risk or trying something that they haven't seen modelled before. “It's important for us to take on new challenges and push the boundaries of what's possible,” Christine explains. “We don't rest on our laurels very much,” she adds with the laugh.

TOWARDS A FUTURE OF SUCCESS

What advice do Christine and Tara give to emerging realtors trying to find their footing in an often-cutthroat industry? “Our biggest piece of advice for new agents would be to find a mentor or some kind of support early on,” they share. “The level of competition in real estate gets higher and higher every year. Knowing how to spend your time and money and how to focus on the things that will move your business forward—and actually get deals done at a high level without sacrificing

your personal life—is something we wish we knew as new agents.”

As a part of their future plans, The Christine Cowern Real Estate Team aims to keep getting better and better, help more and more clients, and continue to create a team culture that they can be really proud of. “If that's the legacy that we can leave behind, we'd be really happy with that.”