Cory Wright, the visionary behind William Wright Commercial, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, a testament to his innovative "people-first" strategy in the competitive commercial real estate market. Wright's unique philosophy, rooted in his early hospitality experiences, prioritizes relationships and exceptional service, driving remarkable growth for his firm.
Key Takeaways
- A "client first" philosophy, inspired by hospitality roots, forms the core of William Wright Commercial's success.
- Focusing on underserved tertiary markets, rather than solely prime downtown locations, allows for deeper community integration and relationship building.
- Investing in brokers by offering competitive commissions, full benefits, and recruiting local talent has created a strong, embedded team.
- This people-centric approach has led to double-digit growth and record sales, even as other real estate firms struggle.
From Hospitality to Real Estate Mogul
At the young age of 21, Cory Wright gained invaluable business acumen managing pubs, learning the intricacies of customer service, negotiation, and risk management. These early experiences, which placed him on both sides of lease agreements, provided a unique foundation for his future in real estate.
In 2013, Wright identified a market need for a more service-oriented commercial brokerage. He founded William Wright Commercial, embedding a "client first" ethos inspired by his hospitality background. He believed that in commercial real estate, strong relationships and superior service could be as impactful as the deals themselves.
Strategic Expansion and Market Penetration
William Wright Commercial has expanded significantly, establishing offices across British Columbia, including Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Langley, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, and Kamloops. Wright's strategy deliberately targets tertiary markets, areas often overlooked by larger firms. This focus allows the company to leverage local knowledge and cultivate strong relationships, making a substantial difference in these communities.
The People-First Advantage
Wright's business philosophy centers on prioritizing people over solely focusing on the bottom line. "So many companies look at the bottom line to build their business—we took the approach of doing the people-first business," he stated. This commitment is reflected in offering competitive commissions and comprehensive benefits to its brokers. Furthermore, the firm actively recruits brokers who reside and operate within the markets they serve, fostering a team of over 50 professionals deeply connected to their local communities.
Future Growth and Market Challenges
Despite industry headwinds, William Wright Commercial achieved double-digit growth and record sales in 2024. Looking ahead, Wright is preparing to expand into Alberta by 2026 or early 2027, with Toronto as a subsequent target. He acknowledges that these new markets will require adapting strategies, particularly in Alberta where buyer scarcity necessitates a potentially reversed approach to the firm's established B.C. model. Wright embraces these challenges, emphasizing the importance of having the right team in place for success.
Milestones and Memorable Moments
Wright considers the firm's 10-year anniversary a proudest moment, highlighting it as a significant milestone in the real estate industry and a testament to the team's resilience, especially navigating through the challenges of COVID-19. He also humorously recalled an odd job cutting grass for a day, which ended abruptly after an incident involving artificial turf and a lawnmower, resulting in his dismissal and an unpaid $50.
