Vancouver’s Sharon Davis is a mortgage planner with a mission — one that goes beyond securing home loans and into the heart of community service. A mortgage professional for more than two decades, Sharon has dedicated just as many years volunteering as she has working with clients.

“Community involvement has always been really important to me,” Sharon tells CMBA-BC. “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of taking on a variety of roles — I’m currently a Director of The Spirit Foundation, I’ve served as an Area Captain for the April Cancer Campaign, and I co-organized ‘The Day of Caring,’ which brought together volunteers to support local families and organizations in need.”

Indeed, for Sharon, her business is about more than numbers and deals; it’s about strengthening communities and being a positive force in people’s lives. This dedication has twice earned her the MB Community Service Award — first in 2016 and again in 2022!

“Receiving the MB Community Service Award was an incredible honour,” she says. “Personally, it meant so much to have the causes and people I care about recognized by my peers, colleagues, and industry. It’s a recognition I hold close, and it inspires me to continue giving back in any way I can.”

The CMBA-BC recently had the pleasure of catching up with Sharon to learn more about how she got into the mortgage business and get some solid book recommendations.

1. Why did you pursue mortgage brokering? 

Haha — I’m definitely part of the group that didn’t grow up dreaming of being a mortgage planner. I kind of just fell into it.

I used to work in the food and beverage industry. After taking eight years off to have babies and get them settled into school, I fully expected to return to it. (As an aside: Matthew is now 28 and my succession plan, while Alexa is 26 and makes sure my hair never looks too bad!)

One evening, as I finished mowing the lawn, I was chatting with my neighbour, Alan Schmelzel (who happened to be our mortgage broker), over a cold bevy.

He asked, “So, what are you going to do when youngest goes to kindergarten?”

I told him I’d probably head back to the food and beverage world since it was what I knew, and I was still being recruited there.

He looked at me and said, “You should be a mortgage broker.”

I laughed and replied, “Alan, that’s so lame — seriously?”

He asked, “Well, what do you want in a job?”

I said I wanted to help people, not be stuck behind a desk, have unlimited income potential, and still be able to make my family the first priority.

Without missing a beat, he said, “OK — then you should definitely be a mortgage broker. Pass the course and you can hang your license in my office.”

A few bevies later — and long story short — I was convinced. I signed up for the course the very next day. Here I am, 20+ years later, still brokering and still loving it!

2. What’s a skill you’ve always wanted to learn?

It might sound funny, but I’ve always wished I could be a good dancer. You know the saying, “I’ve got two left feet”? I swear I must have three!

3. What’s your top travel destination in BC?

I’m a huge Pinot noir fan, so naturally, I love Kelowna — not just for wine country, but because we have so many great friends there, too. Honestly, you really can’t beat summers in the Okanagan!

And, of course, I have to give a shoutout to Vancouver. It’s not my destination since I’m lucky enough to live here, but it’s one of the best places for a staycation!

4. What book are you currently reading/What podcast are you listening to?

Right now, I’m reading an easy fiction book called One of Us is Back. It’s part of a trilogy my daughter shared with me. I’m on the second of the three and loving it!

I’m also reading Let Them by Mel Robbins, which has been a great mindset refresher.

And, because I’m a fan of short, info-rich podcasts, I usually pop on The Mortgage Broker Podcast during a quick drive. It’s a great way to grab a little inspo or industry insight on the go!

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Always remember where you came from and never let your past define your future. Good and bad things happen to everyone — it’s how you choose to move forward from those experiences that will shape your outcome.

Thank you, Sharon, for taking the time to chat with us! If you know a CMBA-BC member who should be spotlighted in this column, please contact Samantha at samantha.ashenhurst@cmbabc.ca.