- Story by Toby Tannas Photography by Darren Hull

You donB次元官网网址檛 have to look far beyond a personB次元官网网址檚 interests and hobbies to get a true sense of who they are. When I sat down to discuss life and business with Luxury Homes Realty broker/owner Michel Tremblay, my first impression was that he is extremely adaptable. When he shared with me his passion for sailing and the particular kind of boat he fancies, the parallels were as clear as blue Caribbean waters.

The Melges 24 is described as a monohull sportsboat, notable for its ability to plane over water in modest wind. Its design is simple and highly tunable.

Michel has continuously re-tuned his career in the sea of real estate while expertly navigating the storms. HeB次元官网网址檚 called 14 cities home to this pointB次元官网网址攎ost of the relocations prompted by a love of travel, curiosity about new places and changing market conditions.

B次元官网网址淚 was part of the group that opened the first SothebyB次元官网网址檚 Realty office in Vancouver,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭hat was 2005. We grew it to more than 40 offices across the country before the bottom fell out of the market in early 2008.B次元官网网址�

Instead of abandoning ship for other ventures, as many realtors did at the time, Michel saw the crash as an opportunity to temporarily unplug. A time to re-charge with his family somewhere he truly felt at home.

B次元官网网址淲e headed to South Carolina, picked up a 40-foot sailboat out of the box and hit the open water,B次元官网网址� he recalls. B次元官网网址淲e ended up in the Bahamas and thatB次元官网网址檚 where we stayed for the most part. ItB次元官网网址檚 such a beautiful place.B次元官网网址�

The better part of a year at sea in the West Indies was rejuvenating. Michel was ready to jump back into the world of real estate but the Vancouver market was not ready for him.

B次元官网网址淚t hadnB次元官网网址檛 recovered, but since I was back my company asked me to take on a huge development project in West Kelowna. I came to the Okanagan, I did my pre-sales in a really tough market. The project was never built but I had fallen in love with Kelowna.B次元官网网址�

Within two weeks of arriving, Michel purchased a building lot and convinced his wife, who still lived in Vancouver, that the Okanagan was the place to be.

B次元官网网址淔rom Coal Harbour to Kettle Valley,B次元官网网址� he chuckles. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been here since 2010 and we love it.B次元官网网址�

With two adult children, the Tremblays are nearly empty nesters these days. They moved from Kettle Valley to a home they designed in McKinley Beach, where Michel and his team market four projects ranging from waterfront lots to single-family homes and duplexes. He also oversees sales on a fifth project, Kestrel Ridge, in KelownaB次元官网网址檚 Upper Mission.

B次元官网网址淚 work seven days a week; itB次元官网网址檚 hard for me to take a day off,B次元官网网址� he admits. B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 just me. I donB次元官网网址檛 work 12 hours a day, though: the perfect day would be to work with a few clients and then go skiing.B次元官网网址�

Skiing. Another hobby that elicits a comparison to MichelB次元官网网址檚 work ethic.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e skied since I was a small boy. I coached skiers for years and I still like to help people improve their skillsB次元官网网址攑eople who already ski at a high level.B次元官网网址�

Whether on the slopes, on the water or in real estate, Michel enjoys using his experience to mentor others.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been at this a while. IB次元官网网址檝e hired a lot of people and when IB次元官网网址檓 interviewing I always ask if they play or take part in some kind of sport. I want to see if thereB次元官网网址檚 a competitive spirit in there,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 face it, if they work just for the money thatB次元官网网址檚 disappointing; we work for the win too. ItB次元官网网址檚 important.B次元官网网址�

Michel believes worldliness fosters success. He offers this advice to young realtors, especially those who are working where they were born and raised.

B次元官网网址淵ou need to get out of town. You have to live, you have to explore and IB次元官网网址檓 not talking about a week in Mexico. Immerse yourself in a culture, get out of your comfort zone, [such as] somewhere you canB次元官网网址檛 speak the language. As insanely beautiful as Kelowna is, you need to experience the outside worldB次元官网网址攚hen Dr. Henry says we can, of course.B次元官网网址�

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the wind out of MichelB次元官网网址檚 travelling sails. He would usually compete in boating races along the US east coast six times a year. HeB次元官网网址檚 also missing Europe, where he once travelled regularly. However, he concedes that if he has to be stuck in one place heB次元官网网址檚 grateful he chose to drop anchor in the Okanagan.

B次元官网网址淢y job is to sell the Okanagan lifestyle. When I talk about McKinley Beach, IB次元官网网址檓 not just a salesperson trying to sell a house. My home is here. I can tell people exactly what it feels like to live at McKinley BeachB次元官网网址擨 know itB次元官网网址檚 resort-style living because I live it!B次元官网网址�

For now, Michel is content to nest in the valleyB次元官网网址檚 beautiful surroundings. But like his beloved Melges 24, heB次元官网网址檚 not cut out for life in dry dock. The Okanagan may be home, but Michel Tremblay is already charting the course for his post-pandemic, global adventures.

Find Michel Tremblay at Luxury Homes Realty.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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