Winning Ideas from Winning Women
with Billie Redmond

Billie Redmond, President and CEO of Coldwell Bank Commercial TradeMark Properties, a Raleigh-based property management, leasing and brokerage services company, has come a long way from her start in the small textile town of Eden, North Carolina. She credits her inherited entrepreneurial spirit from her grandmother, who “modeled the belief that she could do anything, particularly if she could see it.” Billie saw opportunities and has carved them into the largest women-owned affiliate in the Coldwell Banker Commercial network.

Her start came serendipitously while managing a large psychiatric health care practice. One of her responsibilities was the office environment, so when the doctors decided (twice!) to build new office buildings, Billie took the reins and advanced the projects from finding the land to moving into the new buildings.

Billie Redmond

Realizing that the real estate process excited her, Billie boldly partnered to form a commercial real estate company with Howard Perry & Walston, who were looking to add commercial real estate services to their residential line. Billie laughs as she says, “I am one of those entrepreneurs who started without a business plan, much less a long-term view of the new company.” But, the downside to starting a business without a plan soon became apparent. She acknowledges that her biggest mistake was starting the business with no capital investment, which briefly impeded her ability to expand. Billie encountered a real turning point in her business when she lost a major client due to a merger. “For a short time it was frightening,” she remembers, “but it took our small company to a new way of thinking, planning, and managing our business.”

Shortly after this experience, Billie acquired majority ownership of the commercial real estate company and changed the name to TradeMark Properties while maintaining the corporate relationship with Howard Perry & Walston.

Billie’s eyes light up and she breaks into a smile when she recalls her most exciting times since starting TradeMark Properties. “The thrill of being selected for a new project is one that always gets me very energized. Being named to several of the top industry or community spots has been extremely rewarding.” Experience gives her an intuitive edge when making important decisions about her company. She recalls an instance when she almost merged with another local company, which had all the hallmarks of a good fit, but she realized she was doing it for the wrong reason. As a result, she joined the Coldwell Banker Commercial Network, which she sees as the perfect fit for her business.

Billie particularly credits a good friend and role model for lighting the path for her success. “My friend was a great ‘go-to’ person for me. She is a successful businesswoman and has grown a company using the right values—personal integrity, involvement, and care for your clients and staff. She helped me think through my own approach many times.” And Billie has incorporated these principles in her own business. What staff would not want to work for a boss who considers them “the most genuine, loving people you can imagine…who celebrates your achievements and encourages and supports you when you are having a tough day”?

In addition to developing her company and working on new ventures, Billie is actively involved in her community and many North Carolina service organizations. In the last three years she has chaired and/or served on the board of directors of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Wake Med Health & Hospital System, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Wake Education Partnership, Habitat for Humanity, and the Triangle United Way Women Leadership Advisory Council. The list goes on and on. And Billie is pleased that the awards she has received bring not only acclaim to herself, but to her community; she’s been named The News & Observer “Tar Heel of the Week,” one of Triangle Business Journal’s “Top 25 Women in Business,” and one of Business Leader magazine’s “Women Extraordinaire 2004.” TradeMark Properties has been named one of Triangle Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work in the Triangle” and Carolina Parent magazine’s “Best Family Friendly Work Place.”

Another expansive smile crosses Billie’s face as she recounts her family’s thoughts about what she is doing with her life. “I have the most loving and forgiving family.” Her husband, Kemp Harris, a custom homebuilder in the Triangle, understands the real estate industry. And, her son, Jim, works in the commercial real estate industry for one of her competitors. (We can only surmise that this may be a source of lively discussion at home!)

In a contemplative tone, Billie answers our question about the advice she would give to a women deciding whether or not to start her own business.

“Look at the particular industry and understand the opportunities and the challenges. What ways can you be the most prepared?

What investment will it take from you and your family?”

But most of all, ask yourself, “If I don’t try, will I regret it?”