From the runway to real estate, a former supermodel and actress decided to change careers at 50 and has now settled into a more rural life in Collingwood.
We spoke with Monika Schnarre, 51, real estate agent and former supermodel/actor.
Q: For how long have you lived in Collingwood?
A: I moved here when my son started junior kindergarten, so about five years ago.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I’m from Scarborough, Ont. I moved to New York when I was 14, then to Los Angeles when I was 19.
I was a model and actor.
Now, I’m a real estate agent.
Q: What projects would people recognize you from?
A: For the most part, in Canada, people remember me from my modelling career, because I won a contest in Canada called (Ford) Supermodel of the World, which is a bit embarrassing.
In the U.S., people know me more from the soap opera I did: The Bold and the Beautiful. I also did some sci-fi and lots of different movies. How I get recognized depends on what genre people are watching. (laughs)
Q: Why did you decide to make the move to Collingwood five years ago?
A: I was still working, but I wanted more of a rural setting to raise my son. (I wanted) more of a country lifestyle with less congestion and better parking. (laughs)
My ex-husband’s mom lives in Collingwood. I sort of started falling in love with Collingwood when we were dating. I thought it would be a nice place to raise a child.
When we had him, we were living in Muskoka. I thought when he started school, we should move to Collingwood, so we did.
Q: What made you want to make a career switch to real estate?
A: I’ve always loved real estate. I’ve been privately flipping homes my whole life, from Vancouver to Toronto. That’s how I’ve supplemented my acting income.
Over the pandemic, I thought, why don’t I just get (my licence)? It made a lot of sense.
I love the idea of affecting someone’s life in a very tangible and positive way.
The real estate agent I met when I bought my first house – she changed my whole life. Where you live really affects every part of your life, like who you meet, who your friends are, your lifestyle. I love helping people and helping someone find their dream home.
Q: How did you get your foot in the door?
A: Engel & Völkers approached me during the pandemic and asked me if I’d ever considered getting my licence. I knew of the company because my ex-husband had worked with them.
I’d always thought about it and I speak German so that was appealing to them as they had foreign buyers. I said yes, and went back to college at 50. Why not?
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of work you’d like to talk about?
A: My son and I are really active. He’s big into snowboarding and skiing. I hike almost every day up Blue Mountain as my own personal Stairmaster.
We love paddleboarding, kayaking – we’re up for any adventure. That’s one of the things about Collingwood, there’s so much to do.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: Don’t be afraid to say hi! It’s a lovely, warm and welcoming place here. I’m open to meeting new people.
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