- 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, it91裸聊视频檚 much more.
Negotiating is part of the tie that binds them together and is woven so deeply into their story it91裸聊视频檚 almost as intrinsic to who they are as their DNA.
91裸聊视频淲e had to negotiate for everything growing up,91裸聊视频� said Tamara one afternoon while sitting in a Kelowna Starbucks, prompting Shannon to nod in agreement.
91裸聊视频淥ur report card would come in and our dad would say, 91裸聊视频榯hat91裸聊视频檚 great 91裸聊视频� you got a B in math, now go and get an A.91裸聊视频� We would be like 91裸聊视频榟uh, what?91裸聊视频� And he would say, 91裸聊视频榞o back to school and talk to your teacher.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
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 they91裸聊视频檇 offered. Inevitably, they91裸聊视频檇 sway their teachers and their marks would inch up.
It taught them how to confront an issue, be resourceful and believe in themselves 91裸聊视频� three key ingredients to success and 91裸聊视频� more importantly for young women who wanted to one day make an impact on the world91裸聊视频� independence.
91裸聊视频淚t was important to both our mom and dad that we be able to stand on our own two feet,91裸聊视频� said Shannon.
Unsurprisingly, it makes an impression on those who have seen it in action.
91裸聊视频淲e went to list an old teacher91裸聊视频檚 house two years ago, and I said 91裸聊视频榳e91裸聊视频檙e really good negotiators,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Shannon said.
91裸聊视频淭hey were like, 91裸聊视频榦h, we know.91裸聊视频� Back when we were students, she told us, all the teachers would talk about which Stone sister was coming in to negotiate first.91裸聊视频�
It91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频�70s and 91裸聊视频�80s. Tamara decided to follow in their footsteps in 1995, in the thick of an economic lull that hit the Okanagan hard.
91裸聊视频淓veryone actually said to me, 91裸聊视频榓re you insane, you91裸聊视频檙e getting into real estate? Why would you do that?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Tamara said, adding that she was glad she started in such a hard market.
91裸聊视频淛uly 1, 1995, was my first day and I had a dark suit and I91裸聊视频檇 cut my hair off and sold it to buy business cards 91裸聊视频� I looked like I was 11 years old.91裸聊视频�
Shannon stopped her sister there and offered some perspective as only a loved one can.
91裸聊视频淪he didn91裸聊视频檛 look 11. She was 22 and while all of her friends were going to the bar, she91裸聊视频檇 decided to go into real estate,91裸聊视频� Shannon said. 91裸聊视频淪he had short hair, and the worst blue suit 91裸聊视频� she looked older than she looks now.91裸聊视频�
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 other91裸聊视频檚 sentences. They share history, but it91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淪hannon came in after years of me begging her and she said, 91裸聊视频榦kay, but I am not going to work for you, I will work with you for six months,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said Tamara, adding that they were content to go their separate ways at that point.
91裸聊视频淓veryone was worried. We have a tight-knit family, and they worried that if we didn91裸聊视频檛 get along it would wreck everything.91裸聊视频�
Of course, it didn91裸聊视频檛. They91裸聊视频檝e been a homegrown success story, awarded Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Best Realtors multiple times and continually ranking among the Top 100 Teams with RE/MAX Canada. They91裸聊视频檝e found success, balance and a way to have fun with the work they share.
91裸聊视频淚f I do anything that annoys Shannon, she just has to raise her eyebrow a little bit and I stop,91裸聊视频� said Tamara.
And vice versa.
91裸聊视频淲e know and we appreciate each other and each other91裸聊视频檚 opinions,91裸聊视频� added Shannon.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e almost one person, but we have different strengths and weaknesses that complement each other.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淭here are always people moving, sales to be had and chances to be creative,91裸聊视频� said Tamara.
91裸聊视频淎 market like this is nice because you can be honest. Lots of realtors don91裸聊视频檛 want to tell someone what they need to hear because it91裸聊视频檚 not what they want to hear. We91裸聊视频檙e in an industry where people want to be positive, but we want to be realistic.91裸聊视频�
Shannon said that means when someone says they want to downsize or expand their real estate portfolio, it91裸聊视频檚 on them as realtors to look at what91裸聊视频檚 happening in the market recommend full steam ahead, or say, 91裸聊视频渢his isn91裸聊视频檛 the market.91裸聊视频� And when there91裸聊视频檚 a real lull, it91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淲e think of ourselves as more of a marketing business,91裸聊视频� said Shannon. 91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 wait for something to happen or someone to come around and buy our listings 91裸聊视频� we look at what91裸聊视频檚 happening and go out and invite people here.91裸聊视频�
That approach has its risks and its rewards. But together, the Stones are clearly able to make it work.
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