Marie Bontigao-Miksche Biography

Marie Bontigao-Miksche is the Founder of EXIT Realty "The TRI-STATE Group", a real estate office located in three states: Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Camden, New Jersey and Dover Delaware.  She opened “The TRI-STATE Group” office in November 2006 and reached her goal of 3 offices in 3 years.  Overall, EXIT Realty “The TRI-STATE Group” currently has over 100 real estate agents.  Prior to entering the real estate industry, Marie has fifteen years of experience in all phases of retail, sales, and marketing with boutiques; major clothing stores; café and restaurants, multi-media, and import, export and manufacturing companies.

She was born in Brunei and at the age of 4 years old, moved to the Philippines.  In April of 1983 she moved to United States of America and grew up in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  In 1990, Marie attended Temple University and majored in Marketing.

In the spring of 2003, an EXIT agent came into Marie’s life on the footsteps of her house in New Jersey.  This was a day she will never forget.  At this particular time, her personal life was in such disarray physically, emotionally, and financially.  After this brief meeting, Marie decided to pursue her real estate license in the state of New Jersey in July 2003 and then in Pennsylvania in 2004.

As a business owner of wholesale and retail stores, Marie decided to concentrate primarily with commercial properties.  With much success in this area of expertise she received such honors as “Top Producer” award for EXIT Realty in 2005 and 2006.  Her commissions afforded her to venture into purchasing an EXIT Realty franchise in the summer of 2006.  This was the inception of “The Waterfront Group”.

As a REALTOR® and business owner, she believes she can offer her agents and clients the best service due to her experiences in business and in life.  Coming from a family of teachers, she is committed to educating her agents and established mandatory real estate training courses for them.  She has instructed training courses ranging from Commercial Investments, Condensed Boot Camp, Marketing Strategies to Creating Business Plans.  She was recognized by the regional office, EXIT Realty of Pennsylvania with the prestigious "Broker Recognition Award”.  This truly validated her efforts and dedication to the office, her agents and to EXIT Realty.

Marie is also dedicated to giving back to the community.  Early on, she has served as a board member on various local community organizations and participated in supporting many non-profit organizations (ie. Pan Asian Association; Y.U.P.I. Young Pilipinos, Inc.; Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; & National Association of Female Executives).  She actively sponsors local events at Penn’s Landing, Job Fairs, and even the Philadelphia Senior Center and ASIAC.  Most recently, she created the “The Waterfront Group Foundation” a non-profit organization that offers the public free educational classes, seminars and workshops on becoming successful homeowners.  She launched the “Tabula Rasa Project” in December 2007 to give a deserving family a place to call home.

She says, “This is dedicated to all of the people; friends, family, and even strangers who have helped me through my trials and tribulations of life. These people that helped me through the way gave me a chance to “live” again.  Just as the movie title states, ‘Pay it forward.’  This is my way of paying it forward.  I was given a “tabula rasa, a clean slate” to start over again.  I am truly blessed! I just want to make a difference, share my story and hope to influence others to do the same.”

Marie’s hard work has been recognized by many throughout the years. In 2009, she was awarded by 2009 The Philadelphia Business Journal’s Inaugural Minority Business Leader; in 2011 The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Top Workplaces in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and most recently in August 2011, she was featured in Forbes Magazine under the Philadelphia Women in Business section.

Marie is a born entrepreneur.  Her philanthropic heart, her past experiences, and her passion for life are what drive her to success.  Her success is an achievement for all female and minority business owners.