- Story by Kathy Michaels Photography by Darren Hull

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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Saying the Stone Sisters are impressive negotiators may sound like little more than an endorsement for their real estate partnership. But in actuality, itB次元官网网址檚 much more.

Negotiating is part of the tie that binds them together and is woven so deeply into their story itB次元官网网址檚 almost as intrinsic to who they are as their DNA.

B次元官网网址淲e had to negotiate for everything growing up,B次元官网网址� said Tamara one afternoon while sitting in a Kelowna Starbucks, prompting Shannon to nod in agreement.

B次元官网网址淥ur report card would come in and our dad would say, B次元官网网址榯hatB次元官网网址檚 great B次元官网网址� you got a B in math, now go and get an A.B次元官网网址� We would be like B次元官网网址榟uh, what?B次元官网网址� And he would say, B次元官网网址榞o back to school and talk to your teacher.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

They would trundle back into their classroom the next day and start making the case for a better mark, pointing out that perhaps the grading of a paper or exam failed to take note of some nuance of the answer theyB次元官网网址檇 offered. Inevitably, theyB次元官网网址檇 sway their teachers and their marks would inch up.

It taught them how to confront an issue, be resourceful and believe in themselves B次元官网网址� three key ingredients to success and B次元官网网址� more importantly for young women who wanted to one day make an impact on the worldB次元官网网址� independence.

B次元官网网址淚t was important to both our mom and dad that we be able to stand on our own two feet,B次元官网网址� said Shannon.

Unsurprisingly, it makes an impression on those who have seen it in action.

B次元官网网址淲e went to list an old teacherB次元官网网址檚 house two years ago, and I said B次元官网网址榳eB次元官网网址檙e really good negotiators,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Shannon said.

B次元官网网址淭hey were like, B次元官网网址榦h, we know.B次元官网网址� Back when we were students, she told us, all the teachers would talk about which Stone sister was coming in to negotiate first.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 part of what made real estate such a natural fit for the sisters, although they came to that realization at different times.

Their parents were realtors in the B次元官网网址�70s and B次元官网网址�80s. Tamara decided to follow in their footsteps in 1995, in the thick of an economic lull that hit the Okanagan hard.

B次元官网网址淓veryone actually said to me, B次元官网网址榓re you insane, youB次元官网网址檙e getting into real estate? Why would you do that?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Tamara said, adding that she was glad she started in such a hard market.

B次元官网网址淛uly 1, 1995, was my first day and I had a dark suit and IB次元官网网址檇 cut my hair off and sold it to buy business cards B次元官网网址� I looked like I was 11 years old.B次元官网网址�

Shannon stopped her sister there and offered some perspective as only a loved one can.

B次元官网网址淪he didnB次元官网网址檛 look 11. She was 22 and while all of her friends were going to the bar, sheB次元官网网址檇 decided to go into real estate,B次元官网网址� Shannon said. B次元官网网址淪he had short hair, and the worst blue suit B次元官网网址� she looked older than she looks now.B次元官网网址�

With that, the two laughed and the story shifted to include the added insight.

The Stones have an easy way of communicating. They speak at an energetic clip, encouraging each other as they tell stories and laughing at jokes and shared memories. They even finish each otherB次元官网网址檚 sentences. They share history, but itB次元官网网址檚 also clear they have a strong bond that carries them forward.

That closeness is part of the reason why their family was concerned when, 10 years after Tamara donned her blue suit, Shannon decided she too wanted to be in real estate.

B次元官网网址淪hannon came in after years of me begging her and she said, B次元官网网址榦kay, but I am not going to work for you, I will work with you for six months,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Tamara, adding that they were content to go their separate ways at that point.

B次元官网网址淓veryone was worried. We have a tight-knit family, and they worried that if we didnB次元官网网址檛 get along it would wreck everything.B次元官网网址�

Of course, it didnB次元官网网址檛. TheyB次元官网网址檝e been a homegrown success story, awarded KelownaB次元官网网址檚 Best Realtors multiple times and continually ranking among the Top 100 Teams with RE/MAX Canada. TheyB次元官网网址檝e found success, balance and a way to have fun with the work they share.

B次元官网网址淚f I do anything that annoys Shannon, she just has to raise her eyebrow a little bit and I stop,B次元官网网址� said Tamara.

And vice versa.

B次元官网网址淲e know and we appreciate each other and each otherB次元官网网址檚 opinions,B次元官网网址� added Shannon.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e almost one person, but we have different strengths and weaknesses that complement each other.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淭here are always people moving, sales to be had and chances to be creative,B次元官网网址� said Tamara.

B次元官网网址淎 market like this is nice because you can be honest. Lots of realtors donB次元官网网址檛 want to tell someone what they need to hear because itB次元官网网址檚 not what they want to hear. WeB次元官网网址檙e in an industry where people want to be positive, but we want to be realistic.B次元官网网址�

Shannon said that means when someone says they want to downsize or expand their real estate portfolio, itB次元官网网址檚 on them as realtors to look at whatB次元官网网址檚 happening in the market recommend full steam ahead, or say, B次元官网网址渢his isnB次元官网网址檛 the market.B次元官网网址� And when thereB次元官网网址檚 a real lull, itB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淲e think of ourselves as more of a marketing business,B次元官网网址� said Shannon. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 wait for something to happen or someone to come around and buy our listings B次元官网网址� we look at whatB次元官网网址檚 happening and go out and invite people here.B次元官网网址�

That approach has its risks and its rewards. But together, the Stones are clearly able to make it work.

See them online