After achieving what I believed was true success, a life-altering event shattered that illusion. Through loss and introspection, I learned that true fulfillment and the essence of a good life do not come only from accomplishments, but from the strength of our relationships, the depth of our connections with family, and the meaningful legacy we create through our love and commitment to others. In 2016, my career was soaring—I had just been recognized as the number one rep globally for the Fortune 500 company I worked for, and I was on top of the world, living in Redondo Beach, having been promoted twice and expanding operations across major hospitals in California. It seemed like everything was lining up perfectly. My hard work, dedication, and relentless drive had finally paid off, and there was no limit to what I could achieve.
But then, in September of that same year, everything came to a screeching halt. My mom called me, and I could hear the tremor in her voice as she broke the news: my brother, Joe, had been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. I remember the shock that ran through me. We hadn’t been very close over the past few years because I was so focused on my career. Suddenly, none of that seemed to matter—I had missed so much being away from home and my family.
As Joe’s condition deteriorated, I knew I needed to be there for him. So, I asked for a leave of absence, hoping to take time off to care for him. A month later, the company I had given everything to denied my request. I couldn’t believe it. I was their number one representative, but they still didn’t care. They valued my work, but not me as a person. That’s when I made a decision that changed my life—I sent an email to the entire company, cautioning others about the company’s values. I couldn’t continue to give my all to an organization that didn’t see me as more than just a number.
For the next year, I helped care for Joe and we grew closer during that time, reconnecting in a way I hadn’t imagined possible. I sold my place in Redondo Beach and moved to Laguna Beach where we were born, raised, and made some of our best memories renting a home so I could be there for him. Despite the grim prognosis, Joe lived longer than expected, giving me and all the people who loved him more time together. He fought bravely until he passed away 11 days before his 32nd birthday in 2017. Losing Joe altered my perspective. He made me realize the importance of finding a balance between professional goals and time with family and the people I love. He reminded me several times before he passed to not complain and he would always say, “You don’t HAVE to, you GET to,” a perspective that slaps you across the face coming from someone in his position. I decided to pursue real estate, something I had been interested in since high school. I started small, working under different brokerages, but I quickly realized that these companies weren’t offering enough value or the resources they promised.
So, in 2023, I took the plunge and started my own brokerage, Bon Life Real Estate—a name that means “Good Life” directly representing my new outlook on life and what I wanted to build for myself, my family, our agents, and our clients. It’s been my most successful year yet, becoming a top 1% producer in the US, but more importantly, it’s been fulfilling in a way that my previous work never was. I'm mentoring new agents, guiding clients toward their dreams, and building a legacy-driven business that I'm proud of centered around relationships, helping others, and creating a solid foundation for my two amazing girls.
Today, I live in Laguna Beach, with my wife, Nicole, and our two young daughters, Leighton and Callie Joe, named after my brother and my grandfather. I’m committed to giving my kids a great life filled with gratitude, love, connection, and purpose. I’m thrilled they will be going to the same schools I did growing up and experiencing many of the same things that have given Laguna Beach a special place in my heart. At Bon Life Real Estate, I believe in putting people first—whether it’s the clients we serve or the agents I mentor. Bon Life is about building meaningful relationships and ensuring that every client feels valued and protected. I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is to have someone in your corner who truly understands the complexities of real estate and life, so my goal is to be that trusted advisor for everyone who becomes our client. We take pride in offering a service that goes beyond buying and selling properties; we are committed to guiding our clients through every step of the process with transparency, integrity, and a personal touch that sets us apart.
In addition to client-focused service, I emphasize a mentorship-driven culture within Bon Life. I don’t just hire agents based on their numbers; I look for people who share our values and who I believe I can have a genuine connection with. This approach allows me to foster an environment where agents feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential. I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience, helping my team and my clients navigate the challenges of real estate with confidence and care. At Bon Life, we’re not just building a business; we’re cultivating a community of professionals who are dedicated to delivering exceptional results while upholding the highest standards of ethics and client care.
Sincerely,
Derek LeBon