4 minute read
YOU DO YOU
by MAEGAN CARTER, STAFF WRITER
Many people are familiar with the adage, “fake it ‘til you make it,” but what if faking it just isn’t your style? What if rather than looking around and doing what works for others, instead you chose to look inside and do what works for you?
Jeremie Fontaine, Sales Representative with EXIT Realty Associates in Dieppe, NB, started his career with feelings of self-doubt. He didn’t think he could measure up to those in the industry with 20+ years of experience, especially as a 21-year-old rookie, but he quickly realized that his age, and the knowledge that comes with it, could be used to his advantage. “My generation is mostly on social media, right? So, I was just posting everything I was doing. I was posting every day. I basically used online marketing to get my footprint out there,” he explained.
His consistent strategy of marketing to his own age group paid off. They saw Jeremie as someone they could relate to when they were getting into homeownership. Not only that, but they told their parents, and soon it was business by referral, something every real estate agent hopes for.
Beginning his venture into real estate in 2018 while at university studying finance, he invested in duplexes to rent out for extra cash flow. At his mentor’s suggestion, he obtained his real estate license and joined EXIT. After buying more properties for himself and selling to others, his side hustle became a full-time pursuit. In his first year Jeremie earned EXIT’s Bronze Award, which constitutes 25+ ends closed, and by the following year he’d leap-frogged two levels, up to Titanium, with over 150 closed transaction sides. In 2021 he was awarded EXIT’s Top Lister Award for North America, and in 2022 he took EXIT’s highest honor, the Tri-Real-A-Thon Award.
Now at age 26, with a flourishing real estate career, his advice might not be what you’re used to, but it has certainly worked in his favor: listen to your body and be yourself. Jeremie says that being a night owl means he gets more work done in the evening than others who might be early risers. He shows up completely as himself, whether you take it literally, dressed in a t-shirt rather than a suit, or figuratively, by showing up with a knowledge many might not expect at his age.
With six sponsors and more on the way, he’s also adding to his thriving business. He’s able to introduce likeminded individuals to EXIT Realty whom he can mentor, and in turn they can help him by being part of his team. In addition, he’s being rewarded financially by EXIT’s head office for helping to grow the company. There’s a common misconception about real estate; that it’s easy. Jeremie often tells those he has invited into the company to dispel this notion, “I will give you the necessary tools, but you have to build your home.” And if you’re anything like Jeremie, making it custom is probably the best way to go.
Get a high-energy glimpse into the life of the next-generation superstar during one of EXIT's Champion Series Webinars on EXIT's Resource Center
© Bobbie Carlyle
