Witalisz knows Real Estate. Witalisz knows People. Witalisz knows Westfield. You may recognize the Witalisz name from their real estate signs all over town. Or you may have walked by their new office space while leaving the Tavern Restaurant. Either way, this local real estate company has been part of the fabric of our community for a long time. Witalisz & Associates, Inc. is a women-owned, small family business operated and led by Broker/Owner, Kathy Witalisz and her daughter, Heather Witalisz.
Kathy Witalisz started in the real estate industry in the early 1970’s when things were very different back then. Kathy will admit that even in our modern world of speed and technology, the more things change, the more they stay the same. She says that " the fundamental principles of integrity and respect never go out of style." Kathy grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, one of five daughters. From an early age, she watched her father open the town’s first TV repair store. She remembers many nights when her dad would lend out the lone family television in order to keep his customers happy while theirs were in the shop. Kathy saw firsthand the importance of invest- ing in client relationships and the sacrifices needed in order to become a successful entrepreneur. The education she received at The Elms College provided a solid foundation for her career. She and her husband Caz chose Westfield to raise their three children where “family first” was the number one priority.
Kathy works alongside her business partner and oldest daughter, Heather Witalisz. Heather grew up in the real estate business. She remembers attending many open houses after soccer practices or dance lessons. It was just a normal part of childhood. Heather graduated from the University of Massachusetts where she led the women’s crew team to a National Championship. Hours of rowing a boat in unison to accomplish a common goal has certainly set the stage in her ability to lead a team of real estate professionals. Heather’s high level of energy, creativity and competitive spirit are assets to the Company’s success as she oversees all of the marketing programs, advertising campaigns, and special events. In fact, you may have even seen her at this year’s PumpkinFest with Westfield on Weekends. She played the “good witch” in the Witalisz photo booth.
The bond between this mother-daughter duo runs deep. They are two incredibly strong women joined together by blood and a passion for helping others. When we asked Heather what it is was like to work with her mother, she said, “My mom is my hero. Every day I have the privilege of watching her navigate difficult decisions with grace and determination. She works extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure her customers, clients, fellow Realtors, and family are all taken care of. I admire her very much." And like most mothers, hers has a unique way of offering unsolicited advice. Heather smiles and adds, “Yes, it is true that my mom is a great sounding board. One of these days I will learn that she really is always right!” Mothers do know best and anyone lucky enough to know these women can tell just by being around them how much they love and respect one another.
To be a small business owner, it takes heart, grit and determination, particularly in the highly competitive real estate industry. One of the secrets to Witalisz’s success is their ability to maintain meaningful relationships. At the core of their business are hundreds of satisfied home Buyers and Sellers that these women and their entire company have helped over the years.
“The team at Witalisz is truly amazing. They genuinely care about you and they walk you through every step of the process. I feel confident with them on my side.” said Maura Bellamy, recent Home Buyer. The Realtors at Witalisz are also different. They are comprised of entrepreneurs, like Donna Shibley, owner of Pilgrim Candle. They are life long residents like Bill Wallace whose family started the Wallace Pennysaver. They are corporate leaders like David Kruse and world travelers like Jo Ann Asselin. They are even recipients of the “Realtor of the Year” award like Grace Sullivan, past President of the Pioneer Valley Realtor Association. “I love working with Kathy and Heather. They consistently provide all of us with the support and tools necessary in order to be successful”, said Cindy Drewnowski, Office Administrator.
At the center of it all is the city they love. A place they call home. Westfield is more than a place where we live and work, it is a belief system that embodies courage, resilience and kindness. Our city is where people look out for and take care of one another. A place where people think independently and respect each other’s opinions, even if they are different. In this city, we recognize two fearless women who demonstrate time and again how much they contribute and give back to their community. It seems fitting that as we enter the month of March known as National Women’s History Month, that we salute you “Women of Westfield”. We look forward to seeing what history you write in the near future.