Sharon Sevigny

I attribute much of my success to a strong willingness to learn and developing a broad, well-rounded knowledge base. After nearly 20 years in the industry, experience has taught me not only what works, but also what doesn’t. Over time, you build a “toolkit” you can rely on—practical strategies and insights that help you navigate challenges efficiently and with minimal frustration.

I’ve learned which approaches are effective, which ones to avoid, and how to quickly determine the best path forward in different situations. That experience allows me to handle issues both effectively and efficiently, while maintaining consistency and professionalism in everything I do.

The best career advice I’ve received came from my father growing up. He always emphasized the importance of giving your best effort, being responsible, and staying reliable, honest, and trustworthy. One thing he said that has always stuck with me is that people tend to go to the busiest person, because they know that person will find a way to get the job done.

I’ve carried those values with me throughout my career, and they’ve shaped how I approach both my work and my relationships with clients. They’ve guided me to stay accountable, follow through on commitments, and consistently deliver, no matter how busy things get.

For those just starting out, focus on the fundamentals: take notes, be attentive, show up on time, and stay engaged. Put your phone down and be present. And don’t underestimate the power of direct communication—sometimes picking up the phone can resolve something in minutes that might otherwise drag on through email.

Don’t be afraid to try. Sometimes the best approach is simply to take action—learn as you go, and if you make a mistake, own it. Be honest about it rather than trying to hide it. There’s a lot of value in accountability, and people respect transparency.

Success in this field, and really in any field, comes down to developing that personal finesse—understanding how and when to communicate, building relationships, and knowing that a direct, thoughtful approach often makes all the difference.

For me, the biggest challenge right now is growing the department. It’s one of the few areas I was never really taught. When I started my career, I joined a company that already had an established portfolio, and while the broker was successful in expanding it, that wasn’t knowledge passed down to me. I learned a great deal about operations and property management, but not how to build and grow a department from the ground up.

Now that I’m leading the department, that responsibility falls on me, and it’s something I’m actively working to figure out. Once I’m able to get in front of a property owner, understand their goals, and build that relationship, I’m confident in my ability to deliver. It’s then about executing their vision—enforcing lease terms, managing the property effectively, and ensuring everything runs as it should.

The real challenge has been getting to that point—creating those opportunities, initiating the conversations, and building the pipeline for growth. That’s been a learning process for me, but it’s also an area I’m committed to developing as I continue to evolve in my role.

The values most important to me are honesty, trustworthiness, and being straightforward. I believe in being clear and direct. While that approach isn’t always the easiest, it ultimately makes everything run more smoothly and minimizes misunderstandings.

These values guide how I interact with landlords, tenants, and everyone I work with. I’ve found that when people know you’re honest and upfront, it builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates a more productive and positive working environment.