Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better best. Those are the words that helped carry Enya Denys as she’s travelled through life and love. Words her father imparted on her.
She made the difficult decision to leave behind a career in the Philippines to join her family in Edmonton in 1991.
Denys and her three children moved to Edmonton in 1991.
The young, single mother wanted her kids to have a better life, although it wasn’t immediately smooth sailing.
“I took my kids with me, that’s very challenging, bringing them up here with new culture, tradition and everything,” said Denys.
She would work various jobs in Edmonton before finding love in Lloydminster.
Her husband, Doug Denys, worked at the Cenovus Energy Upgrader for years; the pair met at a function. Denys had a decision to make if she was going to uproot her life and move to the border city.
Chasing love, she left Edmonton in December 2013 for greener pastures. She worked various jobs in Lloydminster.
“From there I worked as a legal assistant. Then I switched to admin, an office manager with another brokerage,” said Denys.
Her dream was to one day be a realtor, a world she briefly got to experience in Edmonton. She had her worries in the beginning. It was ultimately her husband who motivated her to make the leap.
“Then, I was challenged to get my licence to be a realtor, so I did. With my husband cheering me on,” said Denys. “He is the one who encouraged me to go for it, which I didn’t believe (I could),”
Her husband helped propel her forward always believing in her dreams and pushing her to do everything she wanted to.
In 2019, she received her realtor’s license, but the economy took a hit, and it was something that worried the newly licensed realtor.
“How can I sell houses? There’s nobody who can afford them,” said Denys.
Despite the initial setback, she soon realized through connections in the community she would find success in her craft.
“In my first year, I was realtor of the year,” she said, noting the following year she was top producer.
Denys was looking for more and wanted to have something that was truly her own.
With some more encouragement from her husband, she was ready to take on the new challenge.
“When I told him he said, ‘Well, then search, go and search (for) something, somewhere, that you can have your own brand,’” said Denys. “He encouraged me to go and do some searching.”
She received support throughout the process of starting her own business from not only from her lawyer, but also a local organization.
“I went to Startup Lloydminster, I went there to show me how to start a business,” said Denys.
She chose a realty brand on the advice of her lawyer.
“I know that it will be a challenge to start with a new brand, new business and being an immigrant which might (present) some challenges along the way,” she said.
“I talked to my husband he said, ‘Go for it, I’m all out for you, I believe that you will be (successful),’” said Denys.
Eventually, she settled with Maxwell Realty and realized along the way people in the community had trust in her.
Denys is deeply involved with the community through various organizations and events.
“I involve myself with all the events, you name it, I’m there,” she said.
Whether it be the annual ASD walk, volunteering at the women’s shelter, working with the Oil Wives Club, Inclusion Lloydminster or the Filipino Association, she’s always willing to give back to the community.
“Something for the kids especially, to help the community, not only for the organization, that’s why I’m trying to expand more of bringing out the community as Lloydminster not only focusing on Filipino organizations,” said Denys.
For Denys, the best part of her day is always her family time.
“The best part is going home to see your family,” she said.
She cherished time at home with her three kids and three step-kids and her husband, who recently passed away.
“The reason I came here is to get married to Doug Denys,” she said. “He would be very proud of me.”
Denys wanted to honour Doug’s memory.
“He’s the reason for all my achievements, he supported (me) all the way,” she said.
Denys had some parting words for those looking to chase their dreams in whatever field they may be in.
“If you don’t believe in yourself and you have that dream, then go for it. Sometimes you have that feeling, I don’t think I can do it, but again, you dream about something then go for it,” she said. “Don’t look back, go forward, do whatever that needs to be done in order to reach that (dream).”
Denys says it’s important to keep a good attitude.
“Be positive, I know there’s some failures along the way, but those are the things you learn (from) to be better,” she said. Today, you’ll see Denys working from her 48 St. office or at a local event selflessly giving back to the community that’s given her so much.
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