It’s sometimes hard to decide what Vancouver is better known for: its ever-prevalent and in-demand real estate market, or its well-earned reputation as Hollywood North.

For Canadians looking to break into the film and television industry, Metro Vancouver would seem the logical place to be if you want to pursue a career in acting but aren’t interested in heading south of the border. The region and its competitive markets also offer plenty of opportunities for motivated realtors.

Actors turned realtors

Tyler Burrows, now a realtor with Oakwyn Realty, didn’t originally move to Vancouver from Kamloops to pursue a life in real estate. With Christopher Reeves and Jim Carrey as some of his earliest inspirations, he realized early on in life that he wanted to become an actor. 

“In high school, I got into theatre and acting class there and really developed a love for it,” he shares. “So I decided that was what I was going to pursue.”

Lucas McCann, another realtor with Oakwyn Realty, also moved to Vancouver with acting aspirations. 

“I had no clue what I wanted to do and spent six months in college. I realized it was just not for me”, says McCann.

A friend of his invited him to a workshop in Victoria, where he’s originally from, where his interest in acting first developed. Two years later, after completing an acting program, he made the leap and moved to Vancouver. 

So how did Burrows and McCann find themselves where they are today, as realtors in arguably the hottest real estate market in Canada?

A deep curiosity about the real estate process; a desire to ‘control my own fate’

For Burrows, it was a case of life imitating art. He and his partner, a dancer, purchased their first home together in Vancouver in 2018. As two self-employed creative professionals, the process was a little bit more complicated for them. The learning curve he experienced during this time inspired him to dig deeper into the real estate industry.

“I didn’t know these nuances back then … I was thinking, like, what else do I not know about this industry?” Burrows confesses. “I never got off the real estate track after that.”

In McCann’s case, he found himself motivated to try a different career path after years of grinding it out at auditions and long days on set:

“I wanted to be able to control my own fate. I need to be in a profession that I could put however much hard work I put into it, I’m actually getting out of it,” he adds. “As an actor, I felt like it didn’t matter how good you were. You may be the best in the room. But it didn’t come down to that.”

A passion reignited

On the flip side, Sean Gartland, a realtor with Angell Hasman & Associates, finds himself now pursuing his passion as an actor. Growing up in Vancouver, he was part of the theatre program and acted in several productions in high school. Yet he decided to pursue a more conventional career path in business, and eventually real estate.

“Society can sometimes squash those dreams,” reflects Gartland.

Coincidentally, it was through meeting Burrows one day at an open house that reignited Gartland’s interest in acting. While he still maintains a healthy and robust real estate practice, he is now also exploring the acting profession by working with a coach and taking classes.

“I do enjoy real estate professionally, but it doesn’t do anything for me creatively,” he says.

More in common than meets the eye

One thing that Burrows, McCann and Gartland have in common is their belief that being an actor and being a realtor have more in common than meets the eye.

It just takes one look at Burrows’ social media channels, particularly his video tours, “Touring With Tyler” which are growing in popularity, to see how years of working in film and television have translated well into his current realtor marketing game.

“For my social media, I’ll go out in one day and shoot 10 different places, or two or three days and shoot a bunch of different places,” explains Burrows. “Then I’ll edit them all in one night and do all the voiceovers in one night. I took my film career and blended it into my real estate career.”

If he was approached by any actor interested in becoming a realtor, the first question McCann would ask them would be, “Have you ever worked in the restaurant industry?”

“If you ever served somebody as a bartender, or just talked to people in a common conversation, that’ll help … It’s about building a relationship with your clients,” he shares.

Gartland echoes this sentiment, albeit from an inverse perspective: 

“If you don’t put in the work to truly connect with people during a scene, it’s going to fall flat. And if you don’t connect with people in real estate, they’re not going to trust you.”

Whether you’re getting ready to watch the next blockbuster or you’re carefully watching the real estate market activity in Vancouver, be sure to get the popcorn out this summer.

Whether you have been a real estate professional for ten years or one year, there are some realities we all need to face in the world of #RealtorLife. Especially when things get tough.

We know there are agents out there who are crushing it! They seem (according to their Instagram stories, anyway) like they sell houses every day and are living the high life. Not a great thing to see when you’re staring at your phone and wondering why it’s not ringing. Are your notifications turned on? Did you accidentally put it on airplane mode again? How can you rev up that motivation that you started this career with? How can you build momentum and get more sales on the books?

It begins with YOU, and it starts today.

Use whatever your personal motivation preference is

Everyone finds motivation in different ways. Some people (present company included) get all riled up at sales conferences. The energy! The boost of confidence! The ideas! It can feel great listening to a powerful keynote speaker or reading an inspirational personal development book. On the other hand, others find those conferences akin to torture.

Whatever your personal preference is for motivation, use it. As Zig Ziglar said, “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”

It’s actually a lot of fun to learn about what motivates you. Because when you find it, miracles can happen.

If you’re a quotes-are-inspiring kind of realtor, here are six that help me dig in and find that first spark of motivation when I’m feeling a little less than awesome in this business.

6 quotes to find that motivational spark

These first two quotes are about how just starting is the point. While we can be frustrated that others seem to be so much further ahead or that we’re late in the game, the key is getting started (or re-started) TODAY.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.”

 

– Zig Ziglar

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now.”

 

– Chinese Proverb

The next two are from my favourite real estate mentor, Mr. Brian Buffini. They’re about believing in your abilities and knowing the secret lies within YOU. These two magic sentences have accompanied me through some very frustrating times.

“If they can do it, I can do it.”

 

– Brian Buffini

“I did it before; I can do it again.”

 

– Brian Buffini

These last two are essential because they focus on the power of belief and how thoughts are things. If you have watched or read The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, or Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl, you know that the mind is a very powerful tool. In my experience, the powers of belief and manifestation are crucial to success.

“Whether you think you can or you think that you can’t, you’re right.”

 

– Henry Ford

“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

 

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Find a few inspirational quotes that speak to you and print them out for your office wall, or put them somewhere you’ll see them. You’ll be surprised when that little spark of motivation shows up and starts to build. This is where you can give yourself some goals for the day.

Make a list and check things off

Fun fact: checking off list items (or highlighting them, if you are extra geeky like me) releases dopamine, which can fuel even more motivation, in my opinion. Here are some examples of what you can add to your list:

• Call 10 clients (or people in your network) and see how they are doing or if they have any questions about the market.
• Write 2-3 personal notes or emails with a market update on the latest stats.
• Drop off a small gift to a couple of your favourite clients or business associates.
• Send a mini-CMA to clients who have been in their homes for 2-5 years.
• Post a market update or support a local business on your business social media page.
• Touch base with any clients who have been on the fence.
• Complete something for your business that you’ve been putting off.

Get moving

Another way to start the motivation flow is to get moving. Literally, go for a walk. I get my best ideas when I’m on a walk or working out. If you’re trying to solve a problem or are unsure about something, think about it while walking.

Sometimes, I use my walking time to call clients or listen to a podcast or an audiobook. Currently, I’m listening to a great book by Chris Voss and Steve Shull, called The Full Fee Agent. It’s an easy listen, and Voss has great things to say about understanding human behaviour.

When you’re feeling down, as we all do sometimes, remember that YOU are your biggest resource as an entrepreneur. So, you need to get to the bottom of what you (and all of your uniqueness) need to stay at the top of your game. And once you get going, there’s no telling what AWESOMENESS you’re capable of.

It’s with “very mixed emotions” that Don Frederiksen, Campbell River, British Columbia-based realtor, retires.

The Parallel 50 broker is possibly the longest-standing B.C.-licensed realtor, at over 60 years. He has several decades of experience in real estate areas including subdivisions, rezoning, tax appeals, strata and tax shelter investment.

Frederiksen’s unexpected journey

Originally, Frederiksen was a journeyman cabinet maker. After coming down with severe mono (mononucleosis), he couldn’t go back to work and so decided to complete a bachelor of communications degree. He began with the real estate extension first, getting his license in July 1963 and then becoming the youngest member of what’s now the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver when he started.

Although, in his words, the late 1980s were “brutal” and the 1990s “tough”, Frederiksen survived both (barely, he says). Thankfully, he had the benefit of good teachers in the industry to help him.

Along the way, he “tried to never take myself too seriously, but I did always try to do the best possible job I could on any project I worked on,” he reflects. “I can’t really figure (out) where all the time went. I guess I was just having too much fun.”

“Real estate opened many doors for me”

“I will miss the challenges of the real-life game of Monopoly. I have tried and done a lot, including corporate and project management, construction, renovations, subdivisions, strata conversions and working with First Nations,” Frederiksen says. “It was interesting, frustrating, rewarding — but never dull.”

Frederiksen enjoyed the challenges of projects but not the limelight perception of success. He says he worked with some great and influential people in Vancouver, who taught him a lot. “But, I always referred to myself as their gopher and even went so far as to put that on my license plate for a number of years (BCGO4).”

Marty Douglas, an advisor with the British Columbia Real Estate Association who previously worked with the BC Financial Services Authority and the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, has long been involved in the political side of the business. Frederiksen says they’ve had some interesting exchanges over the years and, although he often disagreed with his opinions, he always admired Douglas’ persuasive abilities.

“Don is one of the ‘colonists’ of the real estate industry in B.C., living to tell the tale of his more than 50 years as a licensee, lately as a managing broker on Vancouver Island,” Douglas mentions. “In 48 years as a licensee, I had only two blots on my discipline copybook, both my fault. In one case it was Don who turned me in — and rightfully so. I regret that I won’t be able to return the favour but happy for his retirement.”

So, after a varied and dynamic career, what won’t he miss? “Trying to work with the government in logically dealing with real estate issues. Working with them is kind of like trying to push a rope,” Frederiksen expresses. “I have tried many times (in) many ways to improve on the rules and public protection in the game.”

A mentor and leader “with a wealth of information … always very willing to lend his support and knowledge”

Though Frederiksen worked primarily on his own for many years, the owner of Parallel 50, Dale Mailman, worked with him since 2018. Frederiksen helped Mailman develop his business and mentored him to get his broker’s license and become broker for his company. Once this was accomplished in October this year, Frederiksen says, it was time to move on.

Mailman tells his story: “I purchased the brokerage, O.J. Realty and Property Management, in October 2018. Don was the managing broker at the time and was gracious enough to carry on working with me. From that time on, Don was a wealth of information and has always been very willing to lend his support and knowledge. His background in real estate is quite aligned with what I have been involved in and we found that we worked well together.”

After Mailman purchased the brokerage from the previous owner, O.J. Gorringe, she became ill and Frederiksen jumped in. “We recruited a new real estate salesperson and Don was amazing as a mentor to her — in fast order, she became a top producer under his tutelage.”

Mailman feels Frederiksen was very supportive and helpful as he got the education he needed to move forward.

About Frederiksen’s exit from the business, he shares, “Don worked with me over the last year in preparation for this transition, ensuring that I’m ready to take the reins as managing broker. His experience and support will be missed.”

Frederiksen has also made huge contributions to Gorringe’s career: “Don was invaluable to me,” she says. “His experience was totally necessary for me as a new realty owner.”

Gorringe also points out his habit of “poking the tiger” (the tiger being “council and more”, she says). “(This) scared me, but with his knowledge, it was just a way of life to him. He really knows more than the people running the system.”

For Gorringe, all in all, Frederiksen “became a good friend as well as a great broker for me and my company. I miss working with him.”

Adapting and growing the business

“COVID was a difficult time for property management,” Mailman shares. “We learned a new way of working, with (Don) working from his home office in support. (He) is very open to new technology and ways to manage, so he adapted well to this new work environment.”

They grew the brokerage and, in September 2020, opened another location in Port Hardy, B.C. Mailman says the rental management side of the brokerage grew from about 175 units to 800 units under management.

“Don’s experience in business management, analysis and growth was beneficial in this. We also went through two (other) property management portfolio acquisitions, one in February 2020 and the other in March 2022. Both of these acquisitions went quite smoothly. Don’s experience, support and calm hand made these transitions happen.”

What’s next

Frederiksen is most looking forward to less headaches, more time with his wife, Dodie (shown with him in the above photo), fishing and spending time in Hawaii — along with whatever next interesting business opportunity or challenge that comes along.

”Here I am, 81, retired and seriously looking for another challenge,” he points out. He’s already been asked to take care of a subdivision project, which he’s considering, but “my wife and Hawaii come first,” Frederiksen stresses. “Dodie has been the biggest blessing in my life – she is a fantastic woman – 55 years she has put up with me. She drives me crazy – I love her madly.”

Regardless of his plans, Mailman will continue to turn to Frederiksen for advice, as he is “always looking for future opportunities to expand the rental management portfolio through both organic growth and potential acquisitions. While Don may not be licensed as my broker, I will continue to rely on him as a trusted advisor with his business management experience.”

Frederiksen shares that he may or may not write a book on his life in real estate — “the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the many, many stories”. Stay tuned.

In the short term, he says it’s “time to sit back and watch the circus — for now.”