Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jacquie McCarnan, Founder of North Van Cares Foundation, located in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm a Realtor® and non-profit philanthropist in North Vancouver, British Columbia. My clients include anyone buying or selling (or thinking about buying or selling) residential real estate in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver area).

Tell us about yourself

I love what I do. People trust me with their biggest financial decision, and I never take that lightly. From the $350,000 1-bedroom condos to the $4m homes, the feelings that folks have about their homes are the same connection. I find that I am uniquely qualified to help shepherd people through life's big transitions. From divorce and family death to downsizing or buying a first home, I have experienced it all and know firsthand how those things feel. But I'm also very attuned to the financial aspect of any real estate transaction. The stakes are high. The trust has to be very high too. My dad was a Life Insurance Agent for 60 years. He passed down his love and care for his clients. I'm happy for others to be big-time operators; I'm the smaller, personal-care agent and cherish my clientele.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have a bunch of sales accolades that might be considered accomplishments, but, for me, my biggest wins come from my non-profit. Started in March of 2020 with my daughters as a way to help seniors and immuno-suppressed folks in our community, the North Van Cares Foundation has grown into a popular grassroots operation that provides funds to other charities and non-profits on the North Shore. We've raised $100,000's for various causes and now host an annual gala in North Van, which is quickly becoming THE go-to event of the fall season.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Accountability and motivation are the most difficult things about being an entrepreneur. If you know that you're not the sort to set and work toward goals, you should hire a coach to keep you on track. Also, having someone in a related business is really helpful so you can encourage and bounce ideas off of each other. In real estate, you'll spend a few years getting established, but even then, you will have to always be motivating yourself to get the boring things done. Prospecting for new clients, doing taxes, paperwork, it's all the boring stuff that burns you out. Learning what you're good at and finding others to do the things you're not so good at is a great way to stay on track.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Choose something you're going to love. If you love what you do, it won't feel like work. You'll be better able to stay motivated, and people will recognize you love it. That's a very attractive quality in choosing someone to work with.
  2. If you focus on the money, you will never find success. If you equate success with finances, you will never be happy. Instead, focus on your clients, on doing good work, and on providing something your competitors do not. The money will come. The success will come. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Do the daily tasks that get results. The rest will come.
  3. Incorporate philanthropy into your business model from the start. As a Canadian, I grew up knowing that I am lucky beyond measure and that the luck of my birth puts me in a position to give back. Whether your philanthropy is giving your time or your money, or your expertise, it doesn't matter. Just give back. We live in a time where everyone is judging each other for their poor choices with little regard for what they've been through. Empathy and kindness will get you much further in your business than business school and the endless pursuit of wealth. Remember this, if you chase wealth, you won't be happy when you get it because wealth does not fix the emotional issues you have today. Instead, make business decisions based on empathy and happiness. To be happy and healthy is the true measure of success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.northvanhomesales.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northvanhomesales
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northvanhomesales/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquie-mccarnan-6826503/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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