Chace Whitson had a successful career in construction management, overseeing multi-million-dollar building projects, when an enticing job offer came along that would take him to new heights on the corporate ladder. But he walked away from it all seven years ago so he could become an entrepreneur.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no ceiling on what you can do when you work for yourself,B次元官网网址� says Chace, who heads up the Chace Whitson Real Estate Group at Macdonald Realty. B次元官网网址淚 saw a lot of growth potential. Being self-employed and having the ability to grow my business as far as I can take it B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 just such an opportunity to build relationships and make things happen.B次元官网网址�

But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 an easy decision. Chace, who was a general manager at the time, really loved his work and the job offer was for a vice-president position in a larger company on the Lower Mainland.

B次元官网网址淚t was a big promotion and an amazing opportunity and one of the biggest struggles IB次元官网网址檝e had in business was to turn that down,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淐limbing the corporate ladder at a young age and having that success right in front of me and deciding to go out on my own instead was a big risk, but I wanted to pursue my own passion.B次元官网网址�

The risk paid off. Chace is now one of the top realtors on the Saanich Peninsula, where he was born and raised. ItB次元官网网址檚 an area he knows well and itB次元官网网址檚 where heB次元官网网址檚 now raising his own family.

B次元官网网址淕rowing up here, I have a really great understanding of the communities, the amenities, the beaches, the parks, the school system and IB次元官网网址檝e always loved it,B次元官网网址� Chace says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l never leave! The peninsula has everything.B次元官网网址�

His building background, with a solid understanding of residential and commercial construction, has been a big asset for Chace.

B次元官网网址淚 know what to look for and I can give good advice,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚t gives me a really good foundation to speak to the strengths and weaknesses of the construction.B次元官网网址�

But after seven years in the real estate industry, Chace says the most important skill is developing strong relationships, which he values more than anything else.

B次元官网网址淩elationships are the foundation of business, and listening to others and really, truly understanding what people want,B次元官网网址� he says.

Chace considers his dad, Gregg, one of his mentors.

B次元官网网址淢y father was also in sales and he taught me to listen to what your clients want and what they value. YouB次元官网网址檙e always so much further ahead by listening. I saw first-hand with my father and the relationships he built in business and how they carried through his entire career and how much trust people put in him.B次元官网网址�

Another big lesson Chace learned early on in his career was not to take on too much and overextend himself.

B次元官网网址淚 think a lot of real estate agents go through this initially as theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to grow their business,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淚 took on business that was in Sooke, Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan B次元官网网址� all over the place. The first couple of years I was very busy but I was spread quite thin and it took a toll on me. I did say yes to everything and it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until I started saying B次元官网网址榥oB次元官网网址� and being wise about it that things shifted.B次元官网网址�

Chace decided to focus his business on the Saanich Peninsula and become an area expert. Living in Sidney with his wife, Erin, and three young children, boating is one of their favourite pastimes. The marina is just a five-minute walk from their home and they spend a lot of time on the water.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really happy with the balance I have,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 have great support from my team and I really value and respect my time with my family.B次元官网网址�

When heB次元官网网址檚 not working, with his family or enjoying the outdoors, you can find Chace in a dojo. HeB次元官网网址檚 been practising karate since he was seven years old and holds a black belt in Shotokan karate.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 taught me discipline and integrity and I love the art of it,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great exercise and you can really focus when youB次元官网网址檙e doing it and it provides that level of clarity.B次元官网网址�

As Chace continues to grow his business, he has a lot of clarity on the future.

B次元官网网址淚 love what I do and wake up every morning excited about what I do and I just really look forward to each day,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 love my job and I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 change it for the world.B次元官网网址�