ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS LEADER AUTHOR PHILANTHROPIST MENTOR
Taking the Path Less Travelled
1974 would mark Vivian’s first year in the real estate industry. As a single mother, learning the ropes and navigating market challenges in a hugely competitive and male-dominated industry, one thing was clear to Vivian from day one: this would not be the “easy” path. But she also felt in her gut, if she could persevere and bring something new to the table - all the struggles and sacrifices of the moment would be worth it.
Hard work, persistence and a customer-focused approach were the core values Vivian stuck to while building her business and it was this approach, paired with the courage to think “outside the box” of industry norms at the time, that would help her to rapidly grow her client base and soon earn her the status of an award-winning Associate Broker.
A passion for the industry & a “people-first” motto
Always up for a challenge and in line with her passion for the industry, Vivian would eventually dive into the deep end by purchasing a small brokerage of 18 realtors in the City of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Another risk that lay way outside of her comfort zone, this decision would turn out to be the start of something amazing, as the relatively small brokerage would thrive and grow from its humble beginnings to the market-dominating powerhouse it is now.
Today, Vivian, along with her family, proudly offer Your Community Realty - 1300+ realtors strong with 12 locations around the GTA. An award-winning brokerage that continues to put clients - and its communities - first, Vivian Risi’s vision for a sustainable business model that considers people before profit has become a reality and a pillar of the local business community.
The Peace Medallion from YMCA Richmond Hill (2009)
Philanthropist of the year for RLP Corporate Canada-wide (2009)
Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce prestigious Mayor’s Award for Business Excellence (2012)
Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Philanthropic Business Person of the Year Award (2012)
Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Philanthropic Business Person of the Year Award (2012)
York Region Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award (2013)
AE LePage NATIONAL, Broker of the Year Award (2017)
AE LePage REGIONAL, Broker of the Year Award (2017)
Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Women of Excellence Award (2018)
Business Excellence Award - Markham Board of Trade (2018)
Markham Board of Trade Award, The Anthony Roman Award (2020)
Acted as Capital Campaign Chair for Yellow Brick House with $4M raised to open a second shelter
Author of Yes You Can: It All Starts with You! & 24 Hours is All It Takes: Daily Habits Guaranteed to Change Your Life, which has been translated into 4 languages
“yes you can.”
—Vivian Risi
