August: All about the team
Get to know Nick!
This August we’re taking a short break from writing about Real Estate advice, and sharing some personal stories from our team. In today’s article, Nick Shares 25 things that you might not know about him.
25 Things you might not know about Nick
Short and sweet this week! Here’s a list of things that you might not know about me! I’m happy to have you know more about me as a person as well as your Realtor.
I’d like to get to know you too! If you have some interesting trivia about yourself, I’d love to learn it!
# | Thing you didn’t know | Your quick answer |
---|---|---|
1 | First career before real estate | My first job was working in a carpet store, but my first career was an Elementary School teacher. |
2 | Hidden talent | I have an unnatural ability to remember song lyrics! If my university profs would have sung their lectures to me, I probably would have had a 4.0 GPA! |
3 | Favourite Ottawa neighbourhood & why | I have soft spot for Beacon Hill, where I live. It has a great sense of community and generous neighbours who look out for each other. |
4 | Most surprising place you’ve lived or travelled | Gill and I lived in Macau for five years, and so we’ve been lucky enough to travel throughout Asia. That said, Macau itself is an amazing little city that few people have even heard of! |
5 | Volunteer passion project | I’m currently fundraising for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation (women’s shelters) and going on a 7-day trek in Cambodia this fall! |
6 | Childhood nickname | Nicky Fordinski – I was born in Edmonton and Mr. Fordinski was a local car salesman whose commercials were always on the local radio. |
7 | Go-to coffee order | Not a coffee guy! I get my caffeine from Coke Zero, even at the breakfast table. |
8 | Pet(s) & their names | We currently have guinea pigs in our household, Snuggles and Rolo! I grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters and even a turtle over the years. |
9 | Languages you speak (or want to learn) | I joke that my bilingualism is English and Bad English. In truth, I can get by in French (especially during a home inspection). I know some choice words in Ukrainian and Cantonese as well. |
10 | Proudest award or accolade | I won coach of the year for coaching 9-11’s with the Gloucester Dragons. I was pretty proud of that! I also have a couple of Fantasy Hockey trophies that have pride of place in my office. |
11 | Favourite local business you’ll always plug | So many! A few are Chris’ Ice Cream and Brett’s Ice Cream, Gabriel’s Pizza (for breakfast), House of Targ, Lisa the Mover and Big Bone BBQ. |
12 | DIY skill clients are surprised you have | My friend and I painted a client’s baby room once. Does that count? |
13 | Sports team that can ruin—or make—your weekend | I’m an Oilers fan first (and Sens second) and it was both amazing and heartbreaking to watch the Oil in the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row. |
14 | Most-used emoji in client texts | The thumbs-up. |
15 | Book or podcast you gift most often | I love giving books! Right now my most given book is “Traction” by Gino Wickman. My most recommended podcast is “No Such Thing as a Fish.” It’s hilarious. |
16 | Cringiest fashion phase (yes, there’s photographic proof) | Ask Gill. When we met I had frosted tips in my hair and one of those puka-shell necklaces that were so common in the 1990’s. |
17 | Secret to your morning routine | My boys are up at 6, so that means I am too! |
18 | Most memorable closing-day story | Our sellers at 353 Mcleod – Karim and I worked so hard to get that one sold just under the wire. We surprised the owners with a champagne celebration on their front porch when we gave them the news of the sale. |
19 | Odd collection you keep | I keep a list of go-to songs on my phone in case a Karaoke emergency breaks out around me. Got to be prepared! |
20 | Favourite annual Ottawa event | Our team’s Holiday Kick-Off Party at the end of November. I love catching up with everyone! If it’s not one that we planned, then I’d say Bluesfest. I saw the Cat Empire and Green Day this year. |
21 | Go-to karaoke song | “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon |
22 | Something on your bucket list | Take our kids to some of the backpacker destinations in Asia where Gill and I have traveled. |
23 | One tech tool you can’t live without | Besides my phone and laptop? Our CRM software that helps us keep in touch with everyone. |
24 | Best piece of advice you ever received | “Markets often try to convince us that we don’t have enough. Community reminds us that we do.” – Seth Godin |
25 | What clients always say after working with you |