
In this epsiode of the Bains and Beers podcast we are joined by guests Kristin Gill and her fiancé Vlad, co-founders of Re Angle. We kick off the episode with Kristin sharing her journey from the corporate grind to founding her own real estate marketing company, Re Angle, inspired by her father’s influence and her own passion for real estate.
Kristin then takes us behind the scenes of her latest social media post, which garnered 4 million views. Where she features a 200 sqft apartment condo in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, offered for rent at $2,000, this property, a renovated SRO (Single Room Occupancy), sparked significant controversy, attracting attention from journalists, news outlets, politicians, and a housing advocate who created his own take on the viral video. She shares how the situation escalated politically, with assumptions about Kristin and Vlad's connections to specific political parties.
Further, Kristin then shares the passion driving her newest innovative segment “Real People, Real Rent,” where she uncovers real-life stories of tenants in the lower mainland, discovered through Craigslist. This segment offers viewers a genuine glimpse into diverse living spaces and the realities of rent prices. Our discussion also touches on the complexities of tenant-landlord relationships.
Anand then shares his experiences as a Property Manager renting out units in the lower mainland, revealing some unusual encounters with potential tenants.
The conversation then takes a personal turn when Vlad joins us. Together, Kristin and Vlad shares their love story and the nuances of working side by side as a couple. Vlad, a migrant from Russia, compares life in Canada and Russia, highlighting cultural differences and shared values, particularly in the context of their upcoming traditional Sikh wedding and sharing each other’s customs and family traditions.
The couple then discusses the early challenges in their entrepreneurial path, like the lack of initial support from friends and family, highlighting the importance of a robust business plan, quality product, and strong relationships. Kristin talks about her initial strategy of providing services at below-market rates to secure her first clients.
We then delve into the couple's entrepreneurial journey, marked by initial setbacks, including the lack of initial support from friends and family, highlighting the importance of a robust business plan, an exceptional product, and nurturing professional relationships. Kristin then candidly discusses her strategy of offering services at below-market rates during the early stages of their business to secure her first set of clients.
Finally, the hosts, Ajay and Anand, reflect on the podcast's evolution– from makeshift iPhone recordings from the kitchen counter with the backdrop of household noises, including a running dishwasher and our bebe’s path playing in the background, their progression to a professional studio setup.