June 2025, Dartmouth NS – After decades as the broker owner of CENTURY 21 Trident, owner Marg Bowlen has decided to pass on the reins of leadership. Since 1981, Marg has been a fixture of CENTURY 21 Canada, her tenure as a broker stretching back almost to the brand’s infancy.
In her long career, Marg has mentored countless agents through their careers and is considered an invaluable coach and an ever-supportive friend. Lisa Surette has served as Marg’s right hand for years and has seen her dedicate her career to ensuring every agent at C21 Trident was given the chance to thrive. “To so many of us, Marg is far more than a broker or a co-owner,” Lisa explains. “She’s the kind of friend you always want in your corner, she has devoted herself entirely to the agents in this office and to the Century 21 brand. She’s our biggest cheerleader. Her philosophy is simple: when the agents succeed, the company succeeds. And she has lived that truth every single day.”
CENTURY 21 Trident Realty has been in operation since 1980, and Marg has been a part of that journey from the very beginning. She joined the company as a secretary in when the doors first opened, and worked her way to office manager in 1986. At this time, she became fully licensed and one year later became an owner alongside fellow REALTOR® Gary Chambers. By 1988, Marg became the broker, and Lisa recalls how her partnership with Gary set the tone for the office for so many years.
“Their partnership was something truly special. There was heart, humor, and the occasional spirited disagreement! It made the office not just the place where we worked, but the place where we belonged, and Marg has always been at the heart of that.”
In addition to her work as a broker owner, Marg was involved with the Provincial Association for many years, lending her voice and experience to help shape the real estate industry in the province. Her charitable work helped a number of causes, including the local small hockey leagues, the breakfast programs at local schools, and the Easter Seals Kids to Camp Program, the national charitable initiative of C21 Canada.
C21 Trident agents and staff will take Marg’s lessons with them, with many citing how much she contributed to their growth. “Marg was the first broker I met with when starting my career,” says Alex Tattrie, an agent with the brokerage. “She was kind and honest about the industry, she always picked up my calls and she is a huge reason for where I am today.”
Fellow agent Nick Harvey adds, “Marg has always been putting us first and she has always been a broker and friend that you can count on. She truly cared about our family lives and our day-to-day struggles. She is an example on how to lead.”
“Marg has been a stalwart of our industry and her hands-on approach and open-door policy created an environment where agents felt valued and equipped to succeed,” says Duncan McGregor, also with C21 Trident. “Her leadership not only drove results but also fostered a strong sense of teamwork and trust within the office. Marg will be sorely missed but I’m sure we will see her around the office from time-to-time.”
CENTURY 21 Canda Founder and Executive Chairman U. Gary Charlwood has known Marg since the early years of the legacy Canadian brand. “Marg had shown immense dedication and support of the C21 system these past 44 years,” he notes. “The unwavering commitment through thick and thin made her an invaluable part of our network. A super star to her agents, always reliable, and never afraid to voice her views, we appreciate everything she’s done to steer C21 Trident through the years.”
Under Marg’s leadership, CENTURY 21 Trident has consistently been awarded top accolades in the CENTURY 21 Canada system. In 2017, Marg alongside Gary Chambers was awarded the CENTURY 21 Canda Franchise of the Year award, and over the past 25 years their brokerage has earned CENTURION®, Double CENTURION®, and Grand CENTURION® status in the C21 Canada system
Most recently it earned the distinction of being the #1 CENTURY 21 Canada Company and Office in Nova Scotia for 2024.
To learn more about CENTURY 21 Canada, visit CENTURY21CANADA
About CENTURY 21 Canada™ Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership (century21.ca) is a real estate master franchisor with complete rights to the CENTURY 21® brand in Canada.
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