mad about michelle
By Amber Wielkins; Photos Stevye Photography
Michelle Bigler knows that everyone wants to live the Fairhope dream, but does she know that many of us, (okay, mostly the Access team) want a life like hers, too? With a family as loving, good looking, funny, and diverse as the famed Kardashian clan, we’re all curious about how she juggles it all while looking like a dead ringer for actress Kate Hudson. Perpetually on the go and a successful associate broker at Wise Living Real Estate in Fairhope, one of two exclusive listing agents at the upscale community The Verandas, wife to Bruce, and mom to four, it hasn’t always been easy. Nevertheless, with her “can’t stop, won’t stop” energy, she’s a leader in her own right.
“My kids, all four, have taught me more than anyone about acceptance, kindness, and absolutely unconditional love, even when life doesn’t look like what we thought it would.
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Just like us, Michelle Bigler wasn’t handed a flowchart to map out the decisions that would shape her life, but we might want to check she’s not hiding the secret to success and happiness in her sock drawer, because this woman appears to both have it all and make the best of it when she doesn’t. A leader in the real estate community and an advocate for differently abled children and adults, she’s the first to admit it’s not always easy, despite appearances to the contrary.
Appearing fearless in both the past and present, Michelle credits her two oldest children, Daniel and Weslyn, with giving her the courage to open her own real estate company years ago, claiming, “It never crossed my mind to be scared. It just seemed like the next step.I was divorced and a single mother to my two oldest children for 10 years. I had to do it all on my own, so I didn’t have a choice, whichI guess made me somewhat fearless.”Listing her children as her first priority, it was paramount that her career was flexible so she could be there for all the moments —the sick ones, the fun ones ,and the life-changing ones.“I made it my mission and also made a bet with my broker at the time, Trae Corte, that I would kill it my first year, and I set out to win.I won that bet, but the biggest win was discovering I loved this business.”
Not at all downplaying the amount of sheer hard work she put in, Michelle nonetheless gives thanks for her earlier business ventures, which she firmly believes are key to her success today. Michelle owned children’s clothing stores and an advertising agency.“In my years of owning a retail store, I learned the importance of customer service, and owning an advertising agencyled to my passion for marketing, which I believe is a cornerstone of selling real estate,” she says.
Her career philosophy is based on building lasting relationships centered on her reliability and willingness to go the extra mile. “Through friendships and introductions made in my previous professions, I had a wonderful customer base.I was also fortunate enough to gain the trust of several builders and my real estate career was doing very well,” she tells us. “When I’d held my real estate license for two years, I immediately got my broker’s license and opened my own company. I was blessed to grow a thriving business.” Michelle’s credo? No matter what business you ’rein, if you deliver more than the client is expecting, treat them like family, and be entirely honest and transparent, you can’t help but win.
Michelle and her partner have sold almost all the properties in The Verandas and are currently listing and taking reservations for the adjacent three-acre lots for custom homes called The Estates at The Verandas. With the sales to prove it, she can’t recommend the Bay Area enough, joking that she’s the area’s biggest cheerleader. “I believe with all my heart that Fairhope and the Eastern Shore are the most wonderful places to live and raise a family,”she asserts.“I love showing my clients from out of the area how special it is,” she adds, noting it’s not just the place itself, but the people, as well. “It’s apparent when you pull into a neighborhood with a new client and everyone waves hello. Clients always ask if I know the people, and most times I don’t. I tell them it’s just what we do here. It’s Southern hospitality and I don’t know a place that does it better than we do.” A cheerleader, indeed.
Married to Bruce Bigler, Michelle is mom to four children, three of whom are grown. Taking a proud mama moment, she tells us about her older kids, “My son Daniel lives inNew York City. He moved there for a modeling career, which evolved into a career in the art world with The Morrison Hotel Gallery. He’s also one of the owners and members of The Muses, a sought-after DJ duo. Daniel graduated from The New School in New York with an art history degree. My daughter, Weslyn, graduated from Samford University with a broadcast journalism and communications degree and lives and works in Nashville. We’re in the exciting process of planning her wedding in April, 2022.
Obviously, she and Bruce have lots to celebrate, and Michelle considers their youngest son, Maxwell, a blessing of the highest order. “I didn’t know and wasn’t prepared for how he would change my life. After a picture-perfect pregnancy, we had a difficult labor and delivery and Maxwell, now 8 years old, experienced a brain injury. At the time, we didn’t know there would be future difficulties. We were home within 10 days and I thought everything was going to be okay,” she begins. “Soon, we began noticing major sleep issues and developmental delays, which led to countless MRIs, but we were repeatedly told he was simply delayed and would catch up, so we opinion.” In her heart, Michelle knew there was more to it. “We searched for the top pediatric doctors and found one in Boston. They had an advanced MRI system and were able to pinpoint Maxwell’s exact diagnosis — an injury to the white matter of his brain (the fine and gross motor area), so he had difficulty learning to walk and still only speaks a handful of words. Looking back on it, hearing the truth left me terrified. I was paralyzed about what the future would hold and honestly, sometimes I still am” she admits.
None of us know what our future holds, and our situation is no different. I also remind the naysayers that we all have disabilities, but some of ours can’t be seen from the outside.” Well said, Michelle! Her dream? “I want to open a dialogue on the subject of disabilities — cultivating space for acceptance, compassion, and learning to encourage others by starting a nonprofit center for children and adults with neurological issues to socialize, be with friends, and just enjoy life in a safe, judgment-free environment.” Citing her loved ones, Michelle calls “the most supportive husband, family, and friends” the reason she considers herself the luckiest person in the world. She is unstoppable and modest, as well, telling us, “I’m a work in progress every day. Some days are great and some are a challenge, but each day is a new one and an opportunity to start over.” Our compliments to this bright shining star we’re privileged to call our own.
This post has been modified for the web. Read the original article in full in the December 2021 issue of ACCESS Magazine.
The Verandas 10821 AL-104, Fairhope 251.367.1111
Wise Living Real Estate 221 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope 251.928.9472
Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Wardrobe Courtesy of CK Collection, 251.990.900
