YEDaily: Nina Pousette

Nina Pousette is an ingenious entrepreneur who has successfully combined two work worlds into a combination business of sorts. This 31-year-old, Le Cordon Bleu (read: world’s most renowned culinary school) trained chocolatier mixes her passion for truffles with her real estate business, creating a truly unique experience for her clients. Find out more about this Chocolate Realtor in today’s YEDaily…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am proud to say I am Vancouver’s only Chocolate Realtor. I am a Paris-trained pastry Chef/Chocolatier who treats my real estate clients and open house guests to gourmet artisan truffles from my chocolate company, My Chocolate Tree.

Why did you start your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I have always been obsessed with food. Making it and eating it. I also yearned for adventure and travel, which is why I ended up moving to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School after University. I lived in Paris for three years to work in pastry, and then specifically chocolate. I busted my butt, working the night shift, being one of the only women, and having a poor level of French!

Although I loved what I was doing on the job, I was making so little money I couldn’t enjoy most of what Paris had to offer. That really frustrated me, and I knew this could not last forever, so I had to re-evaluate what part my culinary passions could play in my life. I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so I moved back to Vancouver with the idea to go into business in real estate, but continuing my ‘creative business’ alongside it somehow. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to do this. Everyone loves getting chocolate, so giving out a truffle on the back of my business cards was the perfect way to be unique, fun, and all the while spread the word about both businesses. Plus, when the real estate market hibernates over Christmas, chocolate sales go through the roof! It’s the perfect combination…how come no one has done this before?!

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day is putting a smile on people’s faces. I have always believed in dreaming and then achieving, so when I see a real estate client’s dream become reality, I couldn’t be more excited. I also love to spread joy, so when my chocolate is the reason someone is grinning from ear to ear, I feel like I’ve added a little bit more happiness into the world.

The most challenging part of my day is when my first-time buyer clients find out what they can afford to buy in this city. I grew up living in a house in Vancouver’s West Side, and I know that my generation dreamed of living the same way. Your average young professional here in Vancouver has to make the decision of raising their growing family in a 2-bedroom condo, or going an hour outside of the city to have that same property their parents did a generation before. I still want that German shepherd dog…where am I going to put it?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I definitely see myself finally having kids – albeit being a mom to two businesses as well as children. I feel like I’ve pushed off babies in order to really create the life that I want and need for my own happiness first. I want to make sure that I have some great accomplishments to share and inspire my kids. I want them thinking that their mom is a go-getter kick-butt business woman, who happens to make them kick-butt dinners.

What does success look like to you?
Success to me would be having a happy family that actually likes to spend time together (I was lucky enough to have this with my parents growing up, and there is nothing more wonderful). Inspirational, lovely friends around me, doing incredible things that fire me up. Having enough money, freedom and time to pack up the kids, travel through another country for at least month each yea,r and eat at any restaurant we want. Yes…good food is of major importance!

What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
For someone in real estate who is adamant about non-cheesy and annoying traditional advertising in order to find clients, my first year was tough! I was sulking in my office, hoping a great client would come along, and the most amazing first-time-buyer found my website, called me up and said “out of all the realtor sites I saw, you seem like the most genuine, incredible person and I can’t wait to work with you – and eat your chocolate!” Aside from having a blast working together and finding her the perfect home, we still chat regularly. What’s better than being yourself, and having great people find you and asking to be your friend?

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you’re feeling stressed out, or unfulfilled, get back to your passions and allow yourself to explore them. Find what fires you up and bring a little piece of it to work with you every day. Work to live, and you’ll shine in everything you do.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
At the moment I am most involved with Y.E.S! Vancouver. It is a group of 150 professional women looking to make powerful connections with other women while making a positive impact on disadvantaged women in our community. All of the of money raised from every event goes directly to Dress for Success Vancouver – an organization which helps women get the support they need to advance their careers and livelihood.

What to you is notable?
People who are incredibly resilient. No better quote than “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.”

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry. I write so many texts and emails over my phone while I’m out and about during the day – I need that keypad!