Sutton Group Signature Realty, Inc. Turns a Niche Market into a Formula for Success
Summer 2005
The phenomenal success of Sutton Group Signature Realty, Inc. is proof that two heads are better than one. Company founders Debbie Cosic and Mira Tomljenovic, each with their own area of expertise, partnered together three years ago to offer new home, resale and commercial real estate services. In just three years, the company's staff of sales representatives has grown from two to 74, and the partners plan to open a second office in the next few years.
"We both came from corporate backgrounds, wand we wanted to establish a company that offered a better wuality of life and a positive, upbeat work environment," says Debbie. "Lifestyle, rather than money, was the motivator, but the business has flourished so quickly that we are truly amazed some days. Our sales and marketing team is comprised of professionals who have won awards with the GTHBA, CHBA and OHBA."
Sutton Group Signature operates from a charming renovated home in Streetsville. Debbie's experience as vice president of sales and marketing for Senator Homes for over a decade makes her the ideal candidate to head the company's new home division. Sutton Group Signature offers builders complete turnkey operations in the marketing and sales of new communities. The company services 10 builders with new home sites in Mississauga, Brampton, Orangeville and Collingwood, as well as resort communities in the Turks and Caicos. From land sales and market research to strategy planning and executing the plethora of steps that go into the opening of a new home sales site, the company provices the expertise and staff to take care of a myriad of details.
"Small to mid-size builders don't have large marketing departments, so we're a very important need in a niche market," Debbie says. "We are the only broker that will parachute in and offer an A-to-Z formula for opening and selling a site."
Mira's expertise lies with the commercial sector and land assembly division, where she spent several yesrs as a project manager for various priveate and municipal projects. She has extensive experience working as a planner for the City of Mississauga, has worked in the Tim Hortons real estate department and was a senior project manager for First Pro, Canada's largest shopping center developer. Mira's connections within the commercial sector and her expertise in retail site selection are enormous benefits in providing nes urbanism with a complementary mix of retail and residential space.
"Select retailers need relocation, and new home builders have commercial corners that are part of the build-out of their subdivisions," Mira says. "I can suggest a location to one of my retail clients. Conversely, some residential builders want to break into the comercial end of the business and are looking for tenants to lease commercial space. The success formula comes from the combined knowledge and contacts that Debbie and I have developed over the years."
From condos and low-rise residential projects to resorts, commercial and resale real estate, the Sutton Group Signature team offers a broad range of expertise and personal one-on-one service.
Debbie and Mira have executed their dream beautifully, and their staff and clients are the happier for it.