Kirby Stokes is one of the newest Real Estate Agents operating out of Calderwood Realty. Like most of us in our office, Kirby grew up in the Bulkley Valley and has a wide swath of experience and expertise.
Small town living means that Kirby and I attended high school at the same time and have many of the same acquaintances and friends, and have grown up together… you’d think that would create some conflict but it’s amazing how we end up working with clients that we’re meant to, and there’s room for everyone at the table.
Kirby is a quiet and thoughtful person, with a gentle personality. She is knowledgeable, hardworking and does a great job for her clients.
Welcome to the table, Kirby!
How long have you called the Bulkley Valley home?
I have lived in the Bulkley Valley my whole life (36 years), other than a brief stint away for school.
What is one thing you’ve learned about friendship (or community)?
Growing up out in Evelyn really showed me what community is. I have so many fond memories of events at the Evelyn Hall (Paul Lychak Hall), card games at neighbour’s houses, birthday parties, and baseball games. All of these things were organized by the folks in Evelyn and brought people together, everyone pitched in and they all felt like family. I have continued to help out at the Evelyn Hall events and try and make time to keep in touch with people that are like family. To me, community is like an extension of family, it’s a group of people that help each other out no matter what, it’s lifelong friendships that are forged by gathering together to celebrate or play a game or organize events. I hope everyone gets to experience a great community of people.
What is one area you are growing in?
I have only just recently (November 2020) become a real estate licensee, so right now I am working on getting more experience, and growing in my new found career. This is a career that has been in the making for me for about two and a half years now. It took me nearly a year to do the course, then two tries to pass the exam, and many set-backs due to covid. I am proud of the place I am now, and want to continue to grow and learn as much as I can so that I can be as knowledgeable as possible for my clients.
What is one thing you would say to your younger self?
Invest your money!
Who inspires you and why?
Moms. Moms inspire me. As a mom of three children, I know how full-on parenting can be, now throw in the societal pressures to be the perfect mom. I have learned that there is a lot of pressure on us moms to do it all. We are expected to raise our children, keep a clean house, work, be wonderful wives and keep it all together. IT IS SO HARD. The thing that inspires me is that you Moms keep on rocking it…I never thought when I first became a mom that I would ever have a career, I had my kids young and didn’t really know what I would do after kids, but seeing other friends and family members of mine that decided to go for the careers they wanted and make it happen was really inspiring for me. It made me realize that I could also be a good mom and find a career that I love.
What do you know is true, and how do you carry that day-to-day?
I know that kindness goes a long way. I always try to be kind to everyone, because you just never know what people are going through, or what they’ve been through.