Today we’d like to introduce you to Iain Phillips.
Hi Iain, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in the Caribbean, growing up on the stunning island of Saint Lucia. After heading to Canada for my education, I found myself unsure about my future direction. With a childhood spent around boats and the ocean, but no clear path in mind for university, I made a spontaneous decision to obtain my yachtmaster’s license in England.
For the next six years, I sailed across the world, embracing the freedom of the open seas and immersing myself in diverse cultures and experiences. The plan was to visit my dad in Orange County for a brief month and then travel to Japan for a period of time, eventually returning to Europe to resume work on a yacht.
But fate had a different plan in store for me. During that visit to Orange County, I met someone incredibly special—a woman I fell deeply in love with. That unexpected connection led me to make a life-changing decision: to stay permanently in Orange County.
Soon after, I decided to make real estate my career, a new and unexpected path that brought me unparalleled happiness. Now I am a successful agent and have had my best year yet. Not only is this my career, it is also my passion.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not always been a smooth journey. I encountered many challenges that I had to overcome during my years on the Ocean. One that I will mention, while sailing from Singapore to Spain, we encountered pirates. There were three small boats with armed people on board as well as ladders. We did have three armed guards that were hired to join us for a short leg of the journey, so they were all called up to deck to monitor the situation. The three small boats circled us for several hours and eventually decided to leave us alone. But at the time we were all of course scared for our lives and thought at any moment the pirates could attack our vessel and try to board our boat. A mistake on my part was watching Captain Phillips before the journey.
This one instance taught me to be calm in almost every situation, and I think that lesson translates well into my industry. There can be a lot of stressful situations in my career, but I always think back to situations I have encountered at sea and know that a lot of what I deal with right now can be overcome with patience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m in real estate, based right here in Orange County. What sets me apart is my approach—I’m all about transparency, honesty, and really digging into the nitty-gritty. You know, making sure my clients aren’t just getting a place to live, but they’re making an investment that feels right. I specialize in being that analytical voice, guiding folks whether they’re buying their first home, expanding their property portfolio, or even putting a place on the market. It’s not just about the sale for me; it’s about ensuring they’re making a smart move that suits their needs. What I’m most proud of is seeing my clients walk away with smiles because they’ve not just bought or sold a property, but they’ve made a solid, informed decision that sets them up for what they want. That’s what makes it all worth it for me.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a kid growing up on a Caribbean island, my days were filled with sun, sea, and sand. Water sports like kitesurfing and sailing, I practically lived for those. Being outdoors and near the beach was just part of daily life. I’ve always been a people person, socializing with everyone, and that trait turned out to be a real asset in my past career working on a 130-foot superyacht. We catered to high-end clients, and that experience easily translates into what I do now in real estate. It’s funny how those earlier interests and social skills have smoothly paved the way for the connections I make in this industry, seems like it’s all come full circle!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iainrphillips/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089148804557
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GKdPu66yLATGiBFD4seBQ
