Graduating from college during the Great Recession of the late 2000s was a daunting experience, indeed. It was hard for young graduates to be picky about their career offerings—there weren’t very many. It was the same for Ali St Cyr, now broker and owner of Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate Services, in Tampa.
Like a lot of young professionals during that time, she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to be when she grew up and was grateful to have a job at all. It wasn’t until a fateful dinner with her now-husband that she realized there was another path she had yet to walk. The timing was right for her and her family. Both parents were in a transition period in their own careers and Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate Services was born.
Mom, Holly Tomlin, ran her own business for 30 years. Dad, John Tomlin, was preparing to retire after a long, and successful, career as president of AAA/Auto Club South. Together, the trio, banded together to launch the real estate firm of St. Cyr’s dreams.
Not to discount Dad’s role in the business but this is the Mother’s Day issue, so TBBW sat down with Mom and Daughter to hear their story. How a family business, and family dynamics, ultimately play in their day-to-day and what it takes to run a successful, multigenerational family firm.