Finding his true north: Charles Duncan Waterman shares his journey
Credit to Author: Ramya Ramanathan| Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:19:55 +0000
Charles Duncan Waterman was born in the tropical paradise of Barbados and immigrated to Canada in 1982. He was inspired by the Canadians who visited the island and decided that Canada would be his country of choice to search for new adventures and greater opportunities. Waterman wears many hats. He is an award-winning realtor in the Greater Toronto Area, an author, public speaker and humanitarian.
He makes a positive impact on society through his volunteer efforts. Waterman is the first Black president of the board of Broad Reach Foundation for Youth Leaders (BRF), a charity supporting equity-deserving youth through the sport of sailing. Charles also serves as the Vice President at the First Light Foundation of Hope, an organization in Durham fighting against homelessness and hunger. He also leads a local chapter of the LeaderImpact group, which empowers business owners to use the Principles of Christ to guide them in their professional, personal, and spiritual lives.
He is a contributing author of the Amazon bestseller, Journeys To Success, and the audio series, The 17 Biblical Principles of Success.
Waterman is a recipient of the Barbados Unsung Hero Award and is grateful for his lovely wife, Audrey and their four children.
What were your first impressions of Canada?
I remember distinctly going from + 30 C in Barbados to – 30 C in Toronto in 1982. Man was it cold! Once I settled in, my daily game on the subway was trying to identify all the different languages spoken during my travels. I was in awe and felt as if I was experiencing the world all in one place. One main thing that stood out was how individual immigrant communities were all very distinct throughout the city (Greek town, Little Italy, Little Jamaica, Chinatown, etc.). I was inspired when I witnessed the commerce that was conducted within these individual communities.
What would you say is the secret to your success?
The secret to my success is really no secret at all — I use the Biblical principles of love, peace and joy as my compass when interacting with others.
God has placed within my heart the spirit of compassion. Therefore, I revert to this because of the compassion that was shown to me. I want to do for others what others have done for me.
Tell us about your volunteer work.
As president of Broad Reach Canada, I have the privilege of influencing others in the impressionable years of their lives. I’ve come to realize just how important it is for young people to “see themselves” represented as leaders in the world.
At an early age, I was introduced to the benefits of youth-centered organizations such as Boy Scouts and the Inter-School Christian Fellowship. I realized this has shaped me into the person that I have become. As a father, it is my responsibility to chart the course for my children’s lives. I believe that the ability to influence the youth in life skills, such as leadership and teamwork is a blessing.
You came here in the 1980s. How is today’s Canada different for immigrants?
In the 80s, it appeared that immigrants came from primarily Commonwealth countries and were employed in areas outside of their expertise. For example, highly-trained professionals were cab drivers and labourers. By comparison, immigration today spans all corners of the globe — providing equal opportunities for experts in all professions. The geographic size of the various groups has provided great opportunities for their fellow countrymen to thrive in their respective communities here.
What challenges did you face?
I would say my biggest challenge was staying focused on living in Toronto. There is a multitude of opportunities available here and all of them appeared to be leading down the road to success. It was later in life that I made the choice to pick the lane of real estate and channeled my energies towards creating a successful career.
What is your advice to immigrants and newcomers?
My advice is simple — seek the knowledge to determine how to navigate the Canadian financial system and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This can be done by teaming up with a professional who can show you how to build your credit, manage your debt, save for purchase of assets and ultimately, build your family’s wealth.
Any advice or tips to share about the housing market in Canada?
Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait. Historically, real estate has always been an appreciating asset. It is one of the major pillars of wealth building and provides long term security.
Don’t rent, buy. Learn about the many programs available to you as a first-time home buyer.
Once you have purchased and you have accumulated equity, leverage that equity to purchase income generating properties.
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