2019 was an amazing year to be an Oakwynite. From breakout successes to community engagement and growth, the Oakwyn team took 2019 by storm.

Our theme of the year was Human Connection— a crucial component of our business and our lifestyle. We set our sights on outreach, compassion, and understanding throughout the year– and it was nothing short of beautiful.

Robin Bardon: Human connection has always been a huge theme in my life; right from when I was a child I have been a very social and extroverted person. I love being surrounded by people. In business, this has allowed me to create a relationship-based business that has thrived. I truly get to know the people that I work with.

RB: This was quite an unexpected honour. I think that to me it means not just running my business with integrity, but helping others to do the same, and setting an example within the company and the industry. Our firm is one of few that truly encourages and embodies the ideal of cooperation, even though we all still compete, we work together, and I take pleasure in helping my colleagues and being a person that they come to with questions. I had a great mentor that helped me get where I am and although I want to continue to grow, I want to help others grow too.

RB: It’s honestly pretty exciting to know that I’ve reached the top 1%. I think most will attest that it wasn’t the easiest year, the first 6 months were painfully slow, and I think they discouraged a lot of people. They motivated me. I’ve been through a few slow cycles and the worst thing you can do is let them get you down cause then you won’t be ready when things pick up again. I had a lot of extra motivation with being a new dad! No option but to be successful! But the slow first half of the year was also great timing to allow me to spend a little more time at home.

RB: That’s a pretty tough one. This year was a bit of a blur, I can’t remember sleeping less or working harder in my life. I don’t think that I can narrow it down to one moment, but I have to say that I certainly wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I did without the friendship and support of the people at Oakwyn.

RB: I think it has to be “People First”. A big part of how I’ve grown my business is by making sure that I always put the person before the transaction. I do everything that I can to make sure that everyone is content and happy at the end of a transaction and moving forward. That doesn’t just mean my client, but also the other agent and their client. Also, I’m definitely a big real estate nerd. I love learning.

RB: I am stronger than I thought, and even when faced with something that seems insurmountable, I can persevere and succeed.

RB: Goal setting gives focus, gives purpose, and reminds you that there are a lot of things that are important in life and business and not just to focus all your energy on one of them. Also, the first year I set formal goals and business planned I nearly doubled my income… it works! And that year I really only did about 20% of the things I planned to do!

Thanks, Robin!

We are thrilled to share this year-end video courtesy of AntiSocial Solutions. Thank you to their team for helping us create inspiring media content all year long.

Here are some words from our 2018 Breakout Agent of the Year, Ryan Dash, on what 2019 meant to him:

“The biggest lesson I took out of 2019 was to categorically change the way I think of myself, what I’m capable of and why I am doing it. I’ve also learned I can’t get to where I want to go alone…. 2019 taught me some lessons I wasn’t expecting. Namely, that the pursuit of financial gain was actually a much smaller part of what I was after. 

Finding success in 2019 created a desire to bring others along in 2020. To create the opportunities I’ve had but for others by creating an environment for them to thrive in. 

I think I’m also beginning to deeply understand the value of our culture, of interdependent leadership instead of heroic leadership. That we need to help others who want to succeed in this space by giving them the leadership they need on a personal level, not from a pedestal.”

Thank you to our dedicated agents and staff for making this a year to remember. Let’s make 2020 our best experience yet!