My name is Teri Patrick, I’m 21 years old, and I was born and raised in the small town of Lively, ON (Just North of Toronto, Canada). I am the Founder and CEO of The Social Acre Inc. – A Real Estate Marketing Company based in Kitchener ON. We provide real estate agents everywhere with digital solutions so they can dominate their industry online and offline.
Raised by an entrepreneurial family, I have always been encouraged to colour outside the lines. I started my first business at the age of 7, selling homemade headbands at the end of my driveway. There was nothing a little glue and sparkle couldn’t fix. With a knack for problem-solving, I have naturally taken on leadership roles throughout my life.
I am a University of Guelph alumni, where I completed my bachelor of commerce this April 2021. At the time, I was heavily involved in the fitness industry working as a paid athlete and part-time employee at my local gym. Leaving me underwhelmed and unhappy, many of my colleagues and superiors made me feel like I needed to make myself smaller. I would hear that I was “too much” and my wild ambition often made people feel uncomfortable. My working environment started to squash my confidence and destroy my passion. While experiencing many growing pains in the fitness industry, I started to feel lost. I knew I could not continue to live as half of myself simply because it is hard for others to handle all of me, that is when I hit my first breaking point. Soon after, I took the reins as co-president of Guelph Women in Leadership. This organization strives to allow students to educate, empower and inspire one another. Driving this community allowed me to express my bold and driven personality with confidence. As well, it was an outlet for me to tap into my femininity as a businesswoman and entrepreneur.
It wasn’t until October 2021 that I made a choice and started to take my dreams seriously. My University career was coming to an end amidst the pandemic, and the few job interviews I secured did not work out. I tried for months, applying to over 60 jobs and networking as often as I could when in reality I was not living out my truth. My truth is, my dream of starting and owning a business has been manifesting in me since I was a little girl. I have a genuine desire to help solve other people’s problems and become a force of positive change in society.
I started from a blank canvas. The levels of anxiety and uncertainty were at an all-time high, so I dove into business podcasts, books and online courses to learn as much as I could. One day I was talking to a family friend who works in real estate. She discussed her frustrations around pivoting online during the pandemic. The pain points I discovered from our conversation inspired me to dedicate my work to helping real estate agents. I kept researching, learning, growing and putting myself in the right rooms. I remind myself each day that you can not look at the whole staircase but rather the step in front of you.
Just one month after graduating, I launched my own Real Estate Marketing company – The Social Acre. Real estate agents wear many hats, which is why it is so rewarding for me to recapture their time and watch their businesses grow more efficiently. I am on track to hire my first employee by the fall, and I plan to expand my services this coming year. If I can share any advice with whoever is reading my story, just start. Life is too short to make excuses. Learn as much as you can, surround yourself with people who inspire you and don’t be afraid to take risks.
What motivates me?
You are only given 1 life, 1 chance to make the absolute most of your time here. I want to be rich, and by that I mean I want to be rich in opportunities, love and happiness. Entrepreneurship allows me to be in love with my life. I have the freedom to make my own choices, set my hours and build an empire that I can be proud of. I truly enjoy the challenges, grit and grind that come with starting and owning a business. I want to crush all the stereotypes that society holds on women in the workplace. I hope to make an impact on young women and entrepreneurs so they too can reach their full potential and never feel like they have to make themselves small for the sake of making others more comfortable. Remember, you will never be in a perfect circumstance to take risks or start the business of your dreams. There are a million excuses I could have made that would have kept me from starting, you just need to believe in yourself.
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