Our third panel speaker, Deidre Harrison, is a realtor for Liv Real Estate. When Deidre was growing up, she moved around so often that all she wanted was a home of her own. When she discovered that there was a job dedicated to finding those dream homes for others, she knew it was the perfect fit. And she tells us about it here:
How did you first get started in your industry?
I had done a bunch of property management for my dad as his legal assistant when I was 18 years old, and I realized that was the industry I wanted to be in. I attempted to get my real estate license at that point, and I was young. My dad's actual words were, "No one in their right mind would buy a home from you." Fast forward about seven or eight years, I moved to Edmonton. I got a job at Homes by Avi, then I applied at Liv Real Estate to be a broker's assistant, and he decided that I was overqualified, just unlicensed. He offered to help me get licensed, and I haven't looked back. It's absolutely everything that I dreamed of and more.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience?
I was brand new to Edmonton and didn't know any of the communities. I had no savings and was living in my grandparents’ basement, and I just believed that this was what I was supposed to be doing. And my broker believed in me too. I started in real estate in May 2013 and I was prepared for the Kraft Dinner years but they have yet to come... In my third month, I was the top agent in our office. Seven months in, I had help 27 people in their real estate journeys and got nominated for Rookie of the Year. I didn’t win, which is okay!
What do you think has been a core factor in the success you've achieved?
I just really believed that this is what I was meant to be doing. I worked harder than I could have ever worked towards anything. And I humanized the process for people. I build relationships and that, I believe, is what has not only given me the success to begin with but has continued it.
What's a principle or life motto you strive to live by?
I feel like I live by a lot of life mottos. I’m not religious, but I firmly believe in doing unto others as you wish they would do unto you. That's how I treat everybody, and it's how I run my entire business.
If you could send a message to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say to believe in myself, because it was the moment I started believing in me and what was truly right for me that this all took off. Instead of trying to fit into a mould that other people had created for me... If I had done that earlier, this all would have started sooner.
What are you most looking forward to with this upcoming InspireHer event?
I'm a strong believer in mentorship, and I also believe that when we speak words we believe in and we teach, we learn even more ourselves... What I found when I was starting, women mentors were not easily accessible, and I love the idea of women inspiring women.
Is there anything else you feel we should know about you before the event?
My story has a lot to do with living my true self and showing that to the world. And not being afraid of that or listening to the naysayers. I don't know about all of the other women who are strong business women, but I know for me, there were a bunch of people who said I couldn't do it. But then I kept working my ass off and continued to do it!