- Story by Angela Cowan Photography by Lia Crowe
As a Vancouver Island-born and raised real estate agent, Ron Neal has spent 30 years helping people find their dream homes, but heB次元官网网址檚 also devoted his career to making a difference through philanthropy, both locally and provincially.
As the founder and owner of The Neal Estate Team and RE/MAX Alliance, Ron heads a team of real estate agents with the highest per capita sales in Victoria, and his personal sales team is number one for RE/MAX on Vancouver Island. And with that level of success is a team-wide belief in giving back.
B次元官网网址淭o work at our office, you have to agree that a portion of every sale will go to the BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital and also to a local fund,B次元官网网址� he explains.
The local recipients vary, but in 2020 alone he and his team donated $10,000 to SantaB次元官网网址檚 Anonymous and purchased a COVID-19-inspired three-month supply of to-go containers for Our Place and The Rainbow Kitchen. And theyB次元官网网址檙e closing in on $400,000 donated to ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 since the brokerage opened in 2005.
Ron, who is friendly and direct in conversation, started down the path to accountancy in high school, but got diverted into sales for a few years, working in finance, computer sales and even car sales. But it was in real estate that he found his calling.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a real personal satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from helping people in whatB次元官网网址檚 a significant part of most peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he level of trust that people haveB次元官网网址 feel so much responsibility with that. I just really want to help people get what they want in the best way possible.B次元官网网址�
Outside of work, Ron has always made a work-life balance his priority, and he B次元官网网址渓ives to give.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been very fortunate in that IB次元官网网址檝e had some very good mentors and guidance to have a life outside of work. You have to plan it and respect it,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淪o when my kids were young and growing up, I coached them through all their sports. We included them in charitable efforts, including a family head shave for kids with cancer, and we travelled to Uganda to help fund and build an orphanage. We travelled all over the world. IB次元官网网址檝e had the very good fortune of combining work and play in that regard.B次元官网网址�
In particular, heB次元官网网址檚 part of a group of international real estate agents who call themselves B次元官网网址淩E/MAX Team Canada,B次元官网网址� and have come together to play hockey in more than 20 countries over the past 20 years.
B次元官网网址淭he cool thing with having these relationships with all these agents from other market places is we wind up helping each othersB次元官网网址� relocating customers.B次元官网网址�
These days, Ron says he spends a lot of his downtime golfing or on motorcycles with his amazing partner, Lorraine, and canB次元官网网址檛 wait for travel opportunities to open up again.
B次元官网网址淲e especially love motorcycle race track days and adventure tours. Our last trip before COVID-19 was a motorcycle tour of Northern Thailand to the Golden Triangle. I miss playing hockey, too, and canB次元官网网址檛 wait to get back on the ice!B次元官网网址�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
IB次元官网网址檓 pretty happy in my own shoes, but both Formula One race car driver Michael SchumacherB次元官网网址檚 shoes or Moto GP rider Marc MarquezB次元官网网址檚 shoes look appealing! But after thinking about it some, IB次元官网网址檇 pick Bill Gates for the massive difference I could make as a philanthropist.
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over andover again?
Sushi.
Greed:
YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
ThatB次元官网网址檚 a tough one. I really have everything I need and would experience more joy giving it away and making a difference where itB次元官网网址檚 needed. If I have to choose something purely selfish, then what comes to mind is one of James BondB次元官网网址檚 Aston Martin DB9s!
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
People who are perpetually late. To me itB次元官网网址檚 disrespectful of other peopleB次元官网网址檚 time.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
In a hammock on any warm beach with a good book, or curled up in front of a warm fire.
Pride:
What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?
ItB次元官网网址檚 not really a secret, but my sons, of course. My integrity. And my efforts to give and support others; to help make peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives better.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
Whether downhill on snow skis, on my road bike or on my Ninja [dirt bike] at the race track, I love to go fast!
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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