Finance

I’m a senior VP in event management making $221K—I regret investing in real estate over travel

Real people. Real finances. From six-figure earners to side hustlers, BCBusiness's Money Makers is pulling back the curtain on how British Columbians really make, spend and think about money—no filters, just facts.

By The Editors /

After 22 years with the same company, this Delta-based senior VP has mastered the art of staying power—and it’s paid off. Earning over $220,000 a year, her stellar compensation package reflects her many decades of experience in event management. 

But for all her success, she’s the first to admit she’s more grounded than glam. Each month, she pours roughly $8,500 into housing and property-related costs—a reflection of her long-standing belief in real estate as the ultimate investment. It’s a strategy that’s built stability but left little room for indulgence. “I wish I had travelled more when I was younger,” she says, reflecting on years of putting property over plane tickets. 

  • Age: 48 
  • Location: Delta 
  • Industry: Event management 
  • Role: SVP 
  • Pronouns: She/her 
  • Total annual income: $221,000 
  • Training/education: Bachelors of Commerce

Income 

  • Annual salary: $187,000 
  • Annual bonus: $30,000 
  • Commissions: $4,000 
  • Benefits: Extended healthcare, life insurance, group RRSP plans, equipment budget, meal allowance, professional development stipend 

Do you feel fairly paid for what you do? 

Yes, I do. I have been with the same company for 22 years and feel fairly compensated for my tenure and experience.  

Name one item you splurge on, regardless of your budget. 

Get my nails done by a professional! 

What’s something you refuse to spend money on? 

Full-service gas station  

Do you use a financial advisor, app, spreadsheet—or vibes? 

I have a financial advisor. 

How has living in your city/neighbourhood impacted your financial choices? 

Vancouver is such an expensive city that even though we were surrounded by amazing restaurants, we rarely ate out. Now we live in the suburbs! 

Do you ever find yourself concerned about money or financial security? If you’re comfortable sharing, what contributes to that? 

I was concerned after the pandemic when our variable rate mortgage went way up. We were living month to month so we sold our house for a ton of money and moved to the suburbs. 

How, if at all, are you approaching retirement planning right now? 

I have saved quite a bit of money the last 25+ years but don’t contribute as much. We will use the value of our house to top up when it’s time to stop working. 

Is there a job you secretly admire for the pay or lifestyle? 

Being a celebrity florist 

How do you define financial success? What does being “rich” mean to you? 

Being rich to me means being healthy and surrounded by people that love me but also being financially secure so that we don’t have to limit ourselves when it comes to travel and having “nice” things. 

What’s one lesson you’ve learned about work and finances that you think others in your industry could benefit from? 

I haven’t travelled or spent a lot of money on luxury items because I have always invested in real estate. It will pay off but I wish I had travelled more when I was younger. Experiences over stuff!  

Want to share your money story with BCBusiness? We want to hear from anyone living and working in B.C.—regardless of your role, experience or background. Take our short, anonymous survey here! 

The Editors

The Editors

The BCBusiness editorial team lives for big ideas, bold entrepreneurs and the business stories that make B.C. tick.