I was recently asked what my most cherished moment has been in the 21 years that Meridian Realty has existed. It’s a difficult question to answer, not because there haven’t been enough moments to choose from, but because there have been so many. The truth is, I don’t think there is one defining moment. When I look back over the past 21 years, what comes to mind is a collection of moments, experiences, challenges, victories and memories, all connected by one golden thread: The people and the relationships.
Some of my earliest memories take me back to sitting with my brother, Venter, brainstorming names for a new business and eventually settling on Meridian. We chose the name because a meridian represents a pinnacle, and from the very beginning, we wanted to be part of those pinnacle moments in people’s lives.
There was also the unforgettable conversation with my dad, when we asked him to take a loan against his home to help fund this new venture. It was a huge leap of faith for all of us and one that I have never forgotten. Then came the early days, the streets we walked, the doors we knocked on, the conversations we had, the people we met and the lives we were able to improve through what we were building. Those early experiences taught us something that has remained true throughout our journey: real estate is never really about property.
It is about families finding homes. It is about dreams becoming reality. It is about helping someone navigate an important moment in their life. And on the other side of every transaction is a person who has placed their trust in us. Over 21 years, we have experienced the full spectrum of what building a business can bring.
There was also the arrival of George, my business partner, who chose to back my dream of creating a cloud-based real estate agency. At the time, it was certainly not the conventional way of doing things, but his belief in the vision helped change the trajectory of Meridian.
Today, that vision has grown into a business with more than 200 agents and staff. We have entered new markets, embraced technology, introduced new ways of doing things and continually challenged ourselves to raise the standard of what a modern real estate business can be. We have also earned recognition on the international stage, with eight International Property Awards among the many milestones we have achieved along the way.
Through every season, the same thing comes back into focus: the people of Meridian. One of the greatest privileges of this journey has been watching people develop over the years.
We are a special group of people. We don’t always agree, and I believe that is a strength. Different perspectives challenge us, make us think and ultimately make us better. But through it all, there is a fundamental respect for one another and a willingness to back each other.
To our agents, our staff and our valued clients, we could not have come this far without your support, commitment and belief in Meridian. Every contribution, every relationship and every shared success has played a part in our journey. Thank you for being part of our story, and for helping make the past 21 years so special.
Antonie Goosen
Prinicpal and CEO
