Stop spending money on wines you don’t like. Download the free TasteAdvisor app and discover your personal flavour profile. Take our Taste Test and be matched with BC wines, wineries, and experiences you’re going to love.
TasteAdvisor.co
How does CHBA benefit you? The CHBA has over 270 industry leaders locally in the Central Okanagan, over 2,500 members provincially, and more than 8,000 industry leaders nationally. As an association, we have a collective strength and visibility to help serve our industry, all while offering our members a number of direct benefits.
BENEFITS YOU CAN BUILD ON.
BECOME A MEMBER.
To become a member visit chbaco.com/join-now Or call us at 250.861.3988 80
boulevardmagazines.com |
S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9
said, ‘okay, but I am not going to work for you, I will work with you for six months,’” said Tamara, adding that they were content to go their separate ways at that point. “Everyone was worried. We have a tight-knit family, and they worried that if we didn’t get along it would wreck everything.” Of course, it didn’t. They’ve been a homegrown success story, awarded Kelowna’s Best Realtors multiple times and continually ranking among the Top 100 Teams with RE/MAX Canada. They’ve found success, balance and a way to have fun with the work they share. “If I do anything that annoys Shannon, she just has to raise her eyebrow a little bit and I stop,” said Tamara. And vice versa. “We know and we appreciate each other and each other’s opinions,” added Shannon. “We’re almost one person, but we have different strengths and weaknesses that complement each other.” They found a groove that allows them to take on all challenges, including market fluctuations. They choose to look at the positives in the market, and work with what they have. “There are always people moving, sales to be had and chances to be creative,” said Tamara. “A market like this is nice because you can be honest. Lots of realtors don’t want to tell someone what they need to hear because it’s not what they want to hear. We’re in an industry where people want to be positive, but we want to be realistic.” Shannon said that means when someone says they want to downsize or expand their real estate portfolio, it’s on them as realtors to look at what’s happening in the market recommend full steam ahead, or say, “this isn’t the market.” And when there’s a real lull, it’s on them to look elsewhere to find new clients to bring to the market. This approach has landed them in Seattle, Toronto and even the oil patch, depending on the year. “We think of ourselves as more of a marketing business,” said Shannon. “We don’t wait for something to happen or someone to come around and buy our listings — we look at what’s happening and go out and invite people here.” That approach has its risks and its rewards. But together, the Stones are clearly able to make it work.