A dynamo in Hamilton real estate since the early 1980s, Judy entered the industry when men ruled the market. She started her real estate career at Lounsbury Realty. Within a few years, she was hitting marks as one of the top sales reps in Hamilton. Judy became an Associate Broker in 1983. Over the years she managed to build a healthy clientele and by 1988 decided it was time to strike out on her own. Judy Marsales Real Estate Inc. opened its doors in January of 1988.
A former part-time adult education teacher for the Hamilton school board, Judy taught business courses such as typing, resume writing and bookkeeping before having two daughters in the 1970s. But something about real estate kept pulling her in. Judy opened her first office on Westdale with the help of Linda Bryant, “an amazing organizer” and within a week the office grew to 10 staff. In 1995, she opened her second office and her third in 2007.
I want the world to know how much I value the people I work with. I’m not an island. The secret of my success is the people I work with, without a doubt. I may have the passion and the energy but they have talent and they’re good, good people. We have the same view in terms of integrity, hard work and determination.
Judy would eventually become the first woman president of the Metropolitan Hamilton Real Estate Board and hold leadership positions within various business and community organizations. Today, approximately 50 salespeople work out of the three Judy Marsales offices in Ancaster, Westdale and on Locke Street in downtown Hamilton.
Judy has been an outspoken champion for the city of Hamilton as the president of the Hamilton and District Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and as past president of the Business Executives Organization, and has served on a long list of community boards and associations. Once a month, Judy Marsales hosts her own radio show, Sold on Hamilton, which highlights some of the city's community supporters, musicians and innovations.
A native of Winnipeg, her passion for Hamilton led her to Queen's Park, where the card-carrying Liberal decided to put her "time where her mouth is." In 2003, she became an MPP representing the former riding of Hamilton West.
My chief focus was to have Hamilton recognized as a potential economic engine of this province and I think some of my hard work is coming to fruition now, I hope I contributed to some small degree to opening up a new view of Hamilton.
Despite her love of public life, Judy opted not to seek re-election in 2007 and instead decided to focus her energy on her very successful Real Estate business.
A lifelong musical activist — with a penchant for rock and classical opera &mdash Judy has been hosting interactive sing-a-longs in clubs and bars and at fundraisers in and around Hamilton for 20 years. These Wednesday night sing-a-longs at the Coach & Lantern in Ancaster now include Grant Avenue studio owner Bob Doidge, who plays bass. Mike McCurlie is normally on guitar although this night multiple Canadian Country Music Award winner Wendall Ferguson is filling in, former Powerhouse member Vince Rinaldo is on keyboards and CHCH weatherman Steve Ruddick plays drums. The group is known as Judy and the Noteworthies.
Judy remains active in her business as well as the community. In addition to her monthly radio show she also writes and contributes articles to various publications such as Business Link Hamilton, The Bay Observer and Urbanicity.