- Words by Angela Cowan Photography by Lia Crowe

Bronwyn Bertles has used her strong entrepreneurial roots, her determination and her natural ease with people to build a successful career in real estate over the last decade.

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Bronwyn received a soccer scholarship to Concordia University of Edmonton, paving the way to her future career.

B次元官网网址淚 paid for school on my own, so the scholarship was really important,B次元官网网址� she says. Given the choice between studying English, the sciences or business, Bronwyn jumped into business management and quickly thrived. She became president of the studentsB次元官网网址� business association in addition to keeping up with demanding soccer commitments.

Bronwyn had always had an interest in real estate, going to see open houses with her mom from an early age, but the prospect of leaping into a fully commission-based career when she graduated at 21 was a little intimidating, she admits.

B次元官网网址淧roperty management gave me a lot of the tools I needed to start in full sales,B次元官网网址� she explains.

Bronwyn soon moved out of her hometown to Calgary, where she spent three years building up her network and successes in real estate circles. But, when the opportunity to come to Vancouver arose, she jumped at the chance, despite it meaning sheB次元官网网址檇 have to start from the bottom again.

B次元官网网址淲hat you can sell here is so different from the rest of Canada. ThereB次元官网网址檚 so much variety. It was a fun challenge for my career,B次元官网网址� she says.

Now with Engel & V缨lkers since 2017, Bronwyn has built a connected network of friends and professionals through her membership at the Terminal City Club; through BNI Summit, the downtown Vancouver networking group she co-founded; and through myriad relationships within and beyond her community.

B次元官网网址淭o have that mentorship with like-minded, high-performing people that pushed me but also gave me confidence really propelled my skills,B次元官网网址� she says, and adds that she pays that forward with her own clients. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really about guiding people through and giving them that one-on-one concierge service. You end up connecting deeply with clients and finding what theyB次元官网网址檙e looking for.B次元官网网址�

The 7 sins

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

My mom, or her mother. Not out of envy, but because theyB次元官网网址檙e strong, intelligent and resilient women, and because there have been so many changes for women in such a relatively short time. I would love to see the challenges they faced and put mine in perspective.

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

Fresh and authentic Mexican food, of course with a salty lime margarita on the side. My mom sacrificed a lot for my sister and me, and when she retired recently, she moved to Mexico on a complete whim. ItB次元官网网址檚 completely out of character for her, and itB次元官网网址檚 actually made us so much closer. Visiting her new and exciting life, IB次元官网网址檝e fallen in love with the family-oriented, relaxed and expressive culture, and the food is the cherry on top.

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?

Oceanfront property. ThereB次元官网网址檚 only so much habitable land in BC and I would love to own a piece of it, even a smaller oceanfront lot. IB次元官网网址檇 love to have somewhere private and peaceful, perfect for friends and family. In BC, however, $1 million might just be my down payment.

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Using the excuse that youB次元官网网址檙e B次元官网网址渂usy.B次元官网网址� Everyone is busy. ItB次元官网网址檚 just part of life now that there are always a million things we B次元官网网址渟houldB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渃ouldB次元官网网址� be doing. Saying youB次元官网网址檙e busy is basically saying youB次元官网网址檝e chosen something else, which is fine! Just tell the truthB次元官网网址攖hat you have other plans, or that something slipped your mind. Just tell it like it is. I appreciate that.

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

I love my bed. IB次元官网网址檓 a natural extrovert. I enjoy doing things, meeting people and going to social events, but to that same extreme, I can literally spend the whole day in bed. One of my favourite things is lying around with my best girlfriends, catching up on life, venting about our issues, reminiscing about our favourite memories and planning our future ones.

Pride:

What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly

proud of?

My experience as a real estate advisor in three major cities is something IB次元官网网址檓 proud of. Not only that IB次元官网网址檝e moved and started over, but also my success in each market compared to agents who have more connections and more experience. I had to navigate learning the intricacies of new products and new communities, making and earning the trust of new clients and creating a network of trusted people. In the end, I couldnB次元官网网址檛 be happier to have landed in Vancouver. And I can tell you for certain, IB次元官网网址檓 not moving again, unless itB次元官网网址檚 for retirement.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

That first night on vacation with my man. I love that feeling of vacation excitement, the looming adventure and the amazing food and drinks away from responsibility. Whether the vacation is to busy and bustling New York City or a lazy beach getaway, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing better than that first night of freedom.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on