Jane Bark Barrellier is living proof that the world is becoming smaller—figuratively speaking, anyway. Born to an American-Lebanese mother and a Danish-German father, she lived in Paris, where she was born, for 35 years and visited her godmother in Pinecrest during the summers.
Bark Barrellier’s job gave her even more exposure to world cultures. In France, she worked as a marketer for the fragrance brands that Procter and Gamble owned, including Alfred Dunhill, Gucci and Montblanc. For more than 20 years, she held marketing and public relations positions for luxury brands in several countries. In the States, she worked for some Estée Lauder brands and Bulgari.
Eleven years ago, she returned to Pinecrest to stay. There, she raised her three children and found the diversity she loved.
“Here in my neighborhood, there’s British-American, Cuban, Dominican Republic, Swedish-American—a Brazilian married to a Norwegian,” she says. “It’s unbelievable the mix of cultures and people, and that’s one of the things I adore about Pinecrest.”
Bark Barrellier shows her love for the community in both her career and activities. For four years, she’s been an agent with EWM Realty International, the South Florida affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, combining several of her interests.
“What I love about my job is that I have the same feel of the multicultural experience [of my previous career]: different people, different cultures, different homes, different styles,” she says.
To connect neighbors, she created a Facebook group called Pinecrest Neighbors, where residents share news about village matters, lost pets, developments and more. Bark Barrellier shares market insights on the page, which has almost 600 members.
Pinecrest Lifestyle asked the agent about her career, community involvement and connection to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
1.How does your multicultural background inform your career as a real estate agent?
When you grow up in a multicultural environment, you grow up learning how to think in different ways. That’s really what triggered my interest for marketing. When you’re marketing a product, you [can’t] think about what you love; it’s [about] what the consumer wants. To do that, you have to think out of the box.
I had amazing coworkers, met extremely interesting people around the world and did lots of traveling, [giving me] even more understanding of different cultures and different patterns. All that makes you a better marketer. You learn how to analyze situations and use that information to market and create products. … Real estate is a combination between market observation, consumer understanding, marketing and sales. The difference with my previous corporate experience is the product.
2. You’ve helped raise funds for Nicklaus Children’s. What is the driving force behind the support?
It begins with the wonderful feeling of being able to do something for those who need help. When you live a blessed life, it’s easy to forget that others may be struggling.
NCH holds a very special place in my heart. My son spent time there in the cardiac unit. Our stay at the hospital opened my eyes to what so many families go through—and, for some, on a daily basis. I was also very moved by the remarkable staff and doctors who have dedicated their lives to helping these children.
3. What are some aesthetic trends in real estate you’re seeing in Pinecrest?
I do think people are driving for aesthetics more than they used to. People are looking for beautiful things. That didn’t used to matter. I started working for Gucci the year [designer] Tom Ford came onboard [in 1995]. … He brought in that concept that less is more elegant. I think we’re seeing that in the world of homes now.
People are going for pure lines. They don’t want clutter in the home. They want real wood, natural fabrics, natural stones. There’s a desire to go toward minimal looks—minimal and mineral.
4. You’re a top producer for EWM. What are some of your secrets to success?
I think the real secret is to love what you’re doing with a passion and to be 100-percent involved in what you do. I also believe that when you do what you preach and you’re involved in the community, you’re really part of this group. When you’re part of something, you do it with more passion. It’s about loving every minute of what you do and delivering because it’s a pleasure. The secret is to get involved and to be passionate and be genuine.
5. What’s your favorite thing about living in Pinecrest?
Pinecrest is a lifestyle. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family: the space, the schools, the parks, the water, the safety—simply a place to enjoy a very special quality of life. Pinecrest is also a place where neighbors become friends.
