To the Woman Who Saw Something in Me,
It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m sitting at my kitchen table, coffee in hand, kiddo somewhere nearby asking for another snack, and my brain is juggling a mile-long to-do list for the week ahead at Crescent Living Co. I’ve got blog drafts to finish, client calls to prep for, emails piling up, and yet, in the middle of it all, my mind keeps drifting back to one person.
Her name is Evelyn. And this letter is for her.
I was nineteen years old when I first stepped into the world of property management, answering phones at the front desk and trying to prove I was more than just the new kid with a clipboard. I was eager, wildly ambitious, and constantly on the lookout for the next opportunity to grow.
Evelyn saw that. She promoted me from receptionist to administrative assistant, helped me through the property management licensing program, and gave me every chance to succeed. She became my mentor during some of the most formative years of my career - and, honestly, my life.
In one of our first real conversations about me wanting to move up in the company, she said something that’s stuck with me ever since:
"You’re always going to come up against challenges in this industry because you’re young, small, and a woman."
It wasn’t said with judgment. It was said with clarity, with truth, and with care. I didn’t realize how right she was at the time, but I’ve carried those words with me ever since. They’ve become fuel for my ambition, a quiet reminder to keep going when things get hard, and a foundational piece of why I’ve built Crescent Living Co. the way I have.
But here's the thing - I was also 19. I was growing up in that office. I was navigating first apartments and late-night adventures in Vancouver’s West End. I was figuring out who I was while also pushing the limits of what was considered “acceptable” in a very professional office environment. I know I gave Evelyn a few grey hairs over the years. Probably more than a few, if we’re being honest.
Still, she stuck with me. She corrected me, challenged me, supported me, and most importantly, she believed in me. And now, all these years later, I realize how rare and valuable that kind of mentorship really is.
These days, I run my own business. I work with incredible families and clients across the Lower Mainland. I help them create calm out of chaos. I get to build a career I love - one that’s rooted in empathy, strength, and creating space for transformation.
And so much of that started with Evelyn.
She’s retired now, but she still follows Crescent Living Co. online. She cheers me on from a distance, just like she always did - quietly, but fiercely.
So Evelyn, if you’re reading this, thank you. For giving me room to grow. For seeing potential when I was still figuring myself out. For being the kind of leader who made me want to lead others well.
Because of you, I knew I could.
Warmest regards and thanks,
Jaime Bergman
