| Leland, NC
Bruce Brown: Exploding with Energy and Loving Leland
Story by Hilary Brady
Photography by Logan Wallace
Bruce and Marge Brown lived in West Hartford, Connecticut, for nearly 30 years, raising their family and enjoying successful careers in the beautiful Northeastern community. Over the course of their time in West Hartford they owned four homes and sampled many careers. Throughout his life, Bruce has worked in everything from suit sales to teaching, therapy to coaching. After nearly 20 years as a high school English teacher, university professor and therapist, he joined the early 80’s personal computer revolution. Starting as a computer consultant, eventually Bruce and wife Marge
both gravitated toward writing, ultimately becoming Contributing Editors for PC Magazine. Whether it was real estate or employment, it was evident that the Browns liked change. But they did want to keep one thing constant.
Because Bruce had moved around so frequently when he was growing up, he felt that it was important to stay in the same town until their three children completed their schooling. So when Richard, Peter and Liz eventually graduated and moved away to start their own careers and families, Bruce and Marge agreed that they were more than ready to make their next change. After 30 years in West Hartford, they were anxious
for a move.
The Browns researched and narrowed their options to Bradenton, Florida, where they could be near Bruce’s mother; Henderson, Nevada, a waterfront town near the popular convention city of Las Vegas, which would be ideal for their high-tech writing jobs at the time; or Wilmington, North Carolina, the coastal town where their youngest daughter, Liz, lived.
After weekends visiting their daughter, walking their dog through her community and being greeted with unexpected “hellos” by all of the neighbors, Bruce and Marge decided that Liz was onto something. The combination of Southern hospitality and beautiful beaches made Wilmington the perfect place to call home. Plus, it reminded Bruce very much of his coastline birthplace — Rockland, Maine — though just a bit warmer. With that, the Browns moved to Wilmington in late December 2003.
Bruce and Marge purchased a home in Porters Neck, and Bruce began a new career. This time it was real estate, which for Bruce was a natural choice. Considering all of the jobs he had held, and after a bit of analyzing to identify the underlying reason that he chose those positions, it became clear that he had a passion for helping people. Whether it was teaching students as an educator and a coach, helping clients work out their problems as a therapist, or assisting customers in finding a perfect fit as a salesman or PC choice, Bruce had always enjoyed helping people accomplish their needs and realize their dreams.
Through the buying and selling process of his homes in Connecticut, Bruce also realized that real estate was interesting and exciting. So, the combination of his affection for real estate, his delight in helping people and his newfound love for coastal North Carolina brought Bruce to the conclusion that real estate was an ideal career choice. He joined Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s office in Porters Neck.
It didn’t take long for the Browns to set their sights on a new location — the up-and-coming town of Leland. Just six months after moving to the Porters Neck area, Bruce was helping a client locate property. Through that research process, Bruce discovered Leland. He fell in love with the “community in transition,” the energetic and fresh population mixture of Leland natives and new residents, and the potential for unique growth.
Coldwell Banker soon decided to open an office in Leland. Knowing Bruce’s passion for the area, the company’s Principal Broker asked Bruce to manage the location. Part of Bruce’s job was to introduce Coldwell Banker to Leland and familiarize himself with the town. Of course, this was an exciting task for Bruce. He immediately immersed himself in the community, joining the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and quickly earning a place on the board of directors. He got involved with Leland’s Manna Ministries and, with Marge, started a local chapter of BNI, a business networking and referral group.
When recruiting agents for Sea Coast’s Leland office, Bruce’s most important criteria were experience and community involvement. It was absolutely critical that the agents were passionate about the town and had a desire to give back. “Community service, just constantly participating and always helping, is personally very important to me,” explains Bruce.
In January this year, after successfully launching the Leland office as the initial opening manager since October of 2007, he happily turned over the Broker in Charge position to a permanent manager, Denise Kinney, so he could resume his true passion in full-time sales.
Another way Bruce stays active in the community and local business scene is by making use of social media. Bruce currently manages 41 blogs, is a member of four local social networking groups, and maintains profiles on LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook and MySpace.
Bruce’s blogs range in subjects from area information — the most recent post on his Leland New Homes blog is titled “Why I Think You Should Buy a New Home in Leland” — to personal car hunting on his Car Nuts blog. His most regularly updated blog is www.beingbrucebrown.com, which has everything from local real estate event information to “Why Buy” videos filmed and hosted by Bruce himself. Bruce also maintains separate blogs on each area neighborhood, as well as his individual real estate listings. The intent of these blogs is to provide house hunters with community information, home details, photos and interesting facts, all from his perspective.
Bruce is an active member of local social networking sites, which offer locals an opportunity to network and socialize, learn about and promote events, share photos and videos, offer ideas and ask questions, and rant and rave about our area.
And, who doesn’t have a profile on at least one of the popular sites: LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook or MySpace? Bruce being Bruce has, well, an account with them all. He utilizes these programs to maintain contacts, discover new contacts and further build upon his already enormous social network.
Blogs, social sites, networking groups, nonprofit involvement and board positions. Not to mention a full-time job as a well-known real estate agent. Managing all of these sites, memberships, roles and responsibilities makes him, quite possibly, the most connected, up-to-date man in Southeastern North Carolina.
After five years of living in Porters Neck and loving Leland from afar, the Browns moved across the bridge this past November. Not only is Bruce an expert on the area, but he now calls it home as well.
In addition to his love for Leland, helping others and social media, Bruce’s heart is held captive by his dog and his grandchildren. Giant Schnauzers are the family favorite canine — their daughter Liz had one, and Bruce and Marge’s nine-year-old Pepper is their big, beautiful, black, energetic companion.
You’ll also see a twinkle in Bruce’s eye when he speaks of his grandchildren, now age 3½ and 1½, who live back in West Hartford with their daughter, Liz, who moved from Wilmington a few years ago into a home just a quarter-mile from their old house. Bruce and Marge don’t leave Leland often, but when they do it’s to visit their children: Liz in West Hartford; Richard in Brooklyn; or Peter in San Francisco.
From working on a shade tobacco farm at 14 to getting certified as an aerobics instructor at the age of 49, it’s clear that Bruce has a curious mind and extraordinary energy. In fact, he’s been accused of having contagious enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful working next to Bruce. He just spawns energy,” says Bruce’s coworker.
Bruce keeps a stack of note cards on his desk, available for self-reference as well as to pass out to visitors. The quote printed on the card reads, “You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That’s how important you are. – Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now.”
Bruce clearly gets excited about working with people who are positive, helping them to pursue their dreams and to achieve success in life. He feels that it is his job to help others unfold their purpose. Ask his clients, coworkers or anyone who has crossed his path, and they’ll tell you the same. Bruce’s background as a therapist gives him the training to understand people; his passion for helping others through major life transitions gives him the energy to go, go, go; and his love for Leland gives people reason to want to call him “neighbor.” It’s this unique combination of characteristics that make this community-loving real estate agent affectionate, exceptional, effective and enjoyable.
Story by Hilary Brady
Photography by Logan Wallace
Bruce and Marge Brown lived in West Hartford, Connecticut, for nearly 30 years, raising their family and enjoying successful careers in the beautiful Northeastern community. Over the course of their time in West Hartford they owned four homes and sampled many careers. Throughout his life, Bruce has worked in everything from suit sales to teaching, therapy to coaching. After nearly 20 years as a high school English teacher, university professor and therapist, he joined the early 80’s personal computer revolution. Starting as a computer consultant, eventually Bruce and wife Marge
both gravitated toward writing, ultimately becoming Contributing Editors for PC Magazine. Whether it was real estate or employment, it was evident that the Browns liked change. But they did want to keep one thing constant.
Because Bruce had moved around so frequently when he was growing up, he felt that it was important to stay in the same town until their three children completed their schooling. So when Richard, Peter and Liz eventually graduated and moved away to start their own careers and families, Bruce and Marge agreed that they were more than ready to make their next change. After 30 years in West Hartford, they were anxious
for a move.
The Browns researched and narrowed their options to Bradenton, Florida, where they could be near Bruce’s mother; Henderson, Nevada, a waterfront town near the popular convention city of Las Vegas, which would be ideal for their high-tech writing jobs at the time; or Wilmington, North Carolina, the coastal town where their youngest daughter, Liz, lived.
After weekends visiting their daughter, walking their dog through her community and being greeted with unexpected “hellos” by all of the neighbors, Bruce and Marge decided that Liz was onto something. The combination of Southern hospitality and beautiful beaches made Wilmington the perfect place to call home. Plus, it reminded Bruce very much of his coastline birthplace — Rockland, Maine — though just a bit warmer. With that, the Browns moved to Wilmington in late December 2003.
Bruce and Marge purchased a home in Porters Neck, and Bruce began a new career. This time it was real estate, which for Bruce was a natural choice. Considering all of the jobs he had held, and after a bit of analyzing to identify the underlying reason that he chose those positions, it became clear that he had a passion for helping people. Whether it was teaching students as an educator and a coach, helping clients work out their problems as a therapist, or assisting customers in finding a perfect fit as a salesman or PC choice, Bruce had always enjoyed helping people accomplish their needs and realize their dreams.
Through the buying and selling process of his homes in Connecticut, Bruce also realized that real estate was interesting and exciting. So, the combination of his affection for real estate, his delight in helping people and his newfound love for coastal North Carolina brought Bruce to the conclusion that real estate was an ideal career choice. He joined Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s office in Porters Neck.
It didn’t take long for the Browns to set their sights on a new location — the up-and-coming town of Leland. Just six months after moving to the Porters Neck area, Bruce was helping a client locate property. Through that research process, Bruce discovered Leland. He fell in love with the “community in transition,” the energetic and fresh population mixture of Leland natives and new residents, and the potential for unique growth.
Coldwell Banker soon decided to open an office in Leland. Knowing Bruce’s passion for the area, the company’s Principal Broker asked Bruce to manage the location. Part of Bruce’s job was to introduce Coldwell Banker to Leland and familiarize himself with the town. Of course, this was an exciting task for Bruce. He immediately immersed himself in the community, joining the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and quickly earning a place on the board of directors. He got involved with Leland’s Manna Ministries and, with Marge, started a local chapter of BNI, a business networking and referral group.
When recruiting agents for Sea Coast’s Leland office, Bruce’s most important criteria were experience and community involvement. It was absolutely critical that the agents were passionate about the town and had a desire to give back. “Community service, just constantly participating and always helping, is personally very important to me,” explains Bruce.
In January this year, after successfully launching the Leland office as the initial opening manager since October of 2007, he happily turned over the Broker in Charge position to a permanent manager, Denise Kinney, so he could resume his true passion in full-time sales.
Another way Bruce stays active in the community and local business scene is by making use of social media. Bruce currently manages 41 blogs, is a member of four local social networking groups, and maintains profiles on LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook and MySpace.
Bruce’s blogs range in subjects from area information — the most recent post on his Leland New Homes blog is titled “Why I Think You Should Buy a New Home in Leland” — to personal car hunting on his Car Nuts blog. His most regularly updated blog is www.beingbrucebrown.com, which has everything from local real estate event information to “Why Buy” videos filmed and hosted by Bruce himself. Bruce also maintains separate blogs on each area neighborhood, as well as his individual real estate listings. The intent of these blogs is to provide house hunters with community information, home details, photos and interesting facts, all from his perspective.
Bruce is an active member of local social networking sites, which offer locals an opportunity to network and socialize, learn about and promote events, share photos and videos, offer ideas and ask questions, and rant and rave about our area.
And, who doesn’t have a profile on at least one of the popular sites: LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook or MySpace? Bruce being Bruce has, well, an account with them all. He utilizes these programs to maintain contacts, discover new contacts and further build upon his already enormous social network.
Blogs, social sites, networking groups, nonprofit involvement and board positions. Not to mention a full-time job as a well-known real estate agent. Managing all of these sites, memberships, roles and responsibilities makes him, quite possibly, the most connected, up-to-date man in Southeastern North Carolina.
After five years of living in Porters Neck and loving Leland from afar, the Browns moved across the bridge this past November. Not only is Bruce an expert on the area, but he now calls it home as well.
In addition to his love for Leland, helping others and social media, Bruce’s heart is held captive by his dog and his grandchildren. Giant Schnauzers are the family favorite canine — their daughter Liz had one, and Bruce and Marge’s nine-year-old Pepper is their big, beautiful, black, energetic companion.
You’ll also see a twinkle in Bruce’s eye when he speaks of his grandchildren, now age 3½ and 1½, who live back in West Hartford with their daughter, Liz, who moved from Wilmington a few years ago into a home just a quarter-mile from their old house. Bruce and Marge don’t leave Leland often, but when they do it’s to visit their children: Liz in West Hartford; Richard in Brooklyn; or Peter in San Francisco.
From working on a shade tobacco farm at 14 to getting certified as an aerobics instructor at the age of 49, it’s clear that Bruce has a curious mind and extraordinary energy. In fact, he’s been accused of having contagious enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful working next to Bruce. He just spawns energy,” says Bruce’s coworker.
Bruce keeps a stack of note cards on his desk, available for self-reference as well as to pass out to visitors. The quote printed on the card reads, “You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That’s how important you are. – Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now.”
Bruce clearly gets excited about working with people who are positive, helping them to pursue their dreams and to achieve success in life. He feels that it is his job to help others unfold their purpose. Ask his clients, coworkers or anyone who has crossed his path, and they’ll tell you the same. Bruce’s background as a therapist gives him the training to understand people; his passion for helping others through major life transitions gives him the energy to go, go, go; and his love for Leland gives people reason to want to call him “neighbor.” It’s this unique combination of characteristics that make this community-loving real estate agent affectionate, exceptional, effective and enjoyable.
