Monday was fairly quiet, aside from Ken Braat stopping by. Ken is a newer agent with RE/MAX Complete, but you'd never know it by the way he navigates the building. Sometimes I wonder if he came with the lease because he seems to know every nook and cranny. He's also the self-proclaimed "tree killer," which still makes me laugh every time I hear it.
We have a hard time keeping up with his coffee consumption, but to be fair, he's usually the one brewing a fresh pot for everyone else. Ken is one of those rare REALTORS® who makes it a point to work from the office every day, and there's something refreshing about that. Sure, he might print enough paper to keep the copier in business, but he's always willing to lend a hand, answer a question, or help wherever he can. By Tuesday, the steady stream of agents had begun.
Brian Selders stopped in to print flyers before heading back out into the community. I couldn't resist asking him, "Do you realize you're Top 4 in the office, and you're still out walking neighbourhoods delivering flyers?" He laughed. "Oh God," he replied. "My wife would never let me get an inflated ego. I was ranked #47 in Western Canada once, and she still calls me 'Mr. 47.'"I burst out laughing because it felt strangely familiar.
Every time I've had a big accomplishment, my own family has been quick to remind me of that one embarrassing story from years ago. It always started with "Remember when.." I cringed every time but I guess it's their way of making sure success never turns into arrogance. Maybe that's what family is for.
Real estate is funny that way. No matter how many awards line the shelf, someone is always there to remind you that you're still just you.
As Brian gathered his flyers, our conversation shifted. He told me how much he and his wife genuinely enjoy walking through neighbourhoods and meeting people. That part stayed with me. From the outside, people often assume door knocking or delivering flyers is all about finding the next listing. And yes, homeowners placing their trust in you is certainly the goal. But after talking with Brian, I realized that's only part of the story. The real reward is discovering the community. Learning what makes each neighbourhood unique. Meeting the people who call it home. Because before you can sell a community, you have to know it. That conversation inspired me to do exactly that.
A Community Discovery: Big Rock
As a Calgary resident working in Okotoks, it's easy to drive directly to work and back home, and so forth.Just a few minutes west of town sits one of Alberta's most recognizable natural landmarks—a massive boulder that travelled here more than 30,000 years ago.
During the last Ice Age, a rockslide in what is now Jasper National Park landed on top of a glacier. As the glacier slowly made its way east across Alberta, it carried enormous boulders with it. When the ice finally melted, these "glacial erratic's" were left scattered across the prairies.
Big Rock is the largest of them all. Long before geologists explained how it arrived, however, the rock already held deep meaning.
For the Blackfoot peoples, the rock is called Okatok—the name from which the Town of Okotoks takes its name.
One traditional Blackfoot story explains the giant split running through the middle of the rock.
The story tells of Napi, the Blackfoot trickster, who rested on the rock during a hot summer day. He left his robe behind as thanks for the place to rest. When the weather suddenly turned cold, Napi asked for his robe back, but the rock refused. Frustrated, he simply took it. Moments later, he heard a tremendous rumble. The rock was chasing him. His friends—the deer, bison, and pronghorn—tried to stop it but couldn't.
Finally, Napi called upon the bats. One brave bat dove at the moving rock, striking it with enough force to split it cleanly in two. The story leaves us with a timeless lesson: Once a gift has been given, it shouldn't be taken back.
Whether you appreciate the geological history or the rich Indigenous tradition, Big Rock is much more than a roadside attraction. It's a reminder that every community has stories waiting to be discovered. And maybe that's what Brian was really talking about. The listing appointment isn't the destination—it's the result of showing up, being curious, learning the history, meeting your neighbours, and becoming part of the places you serve. Real estate isn't just about houses. It's about people. It's about community. And sometimes, the best part of working behind the desk is realizing that every conversation leads to another story worth telling.