Who am I beyond my work? When I first asked this question of myself, it pushed me to reevaluate everything. I needed to define myself beyond my career and determine what true happiness looked like for me. Once I can do that, I can help others do the same.
For a long time, I equated my career with my identity. As the first young woman in my family to graduate from college, I found myself tying my career accomplishments to my worth. It took a while for me to fully recognize that I needed to find my own happiness in order to better serve others.
I worked three jobs and received scholarships to put myself through college at Emory. My interest in business and psychology led me to pursue a doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology at Georgia Tech. After completing almost all the coursework, I was recruited away by Coca-Cola, leaving behind my doctorate to begin my real-world education. From there, I was the senior manager and director of executive training and development, designing and delivering training programs and performance management systems for several different companies.
Real estate had interested me for a long time, even from the time I was working toward my doctorate. It seemed like an exciting and rewarding career, but would it be worth it to leave my corporate career behind? Well, after all my career successes, my pull toward real estate never died. I decided to get my real estate agent license with the intention of investing, but quickly fell in love with helping my clients buy and sell their most valuable asset - their home.
I took the leap and transitioned to a full-time real estate brokerage, despite the many obstacles that were ahead. My first year in real estate was tough. It was 2006, and I had to work incredibly hard over several months just to get my first sale. However, I persevered, and by 2008, I had the top sales team for the state of Georgia, with the largest real estate franchise in the world.
Despite how well I had done during the market crash, I felt there was still something more in real estate for me. It was hard for me to work with the banks and handle foreclosures. Something needed to change - the sad stories behind the foreclosures were too much.
That's when I decided to get my yoga teaching certification. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I needed something to ground me. I embarked further into my journey of self-discovery and realized more deeply that my identity was not tied to my work. I recognized that serving people is the ultimate goal, and I have since invested in my inner life as much as I have invested in my business. Yoga helped me connect and redefine my definition of success.
With these big breakthroughs, I experienced a new chapter in my life. I stopped looking at real estate as a ladder I needed to climb, much like my corporate career, and instead looked at it as an opportunity to help people. My focus shifted to working almost exclusively in residential buying and selling. It has been gratifying to know that with each purchase or sale, the people behind it are receiving my help, attention, and genuine care.
Throughout my life, I have worked hard and have always been available to those around me. However, I have also realized the value of taking time for myself. Through all these experiences, I have learned the importance of perseverance, growth, and adaptation to changing circumstances.
Connecting with nature fuels me. My parents instilled in me a love for the outdoors, and I am proud to have created two spaces where I can be at peace with nature - my country home and my beach home. While there, I enjoy gardening and being with my partner, Dr. Iodice, and three dogs, Lucy, Sugar, and Carly.
Everyone deserves to have a home where they can find peace and restoration. One of my proudest accomplishments was purchasing the two properties that allow me to retreat in nature. When I am working with my clients, I try to learn what their perfect space looks like for them and how we can make that a reality. Working in real estate is not without its challenges, but I knew that with each sacrifice, I was making a tangible impact on someone's life. Each small success brings us one step closer to achieving our goals.
With my background in executive development and education, it is second nature for me to explain every aspect of real estate to my clients and offer the guidance needed to confidently navigate the transaction. I can skillfully coordinate negotiations and facilitate difficult discussions to ensure every detail is coordinated smoothly. The relationships I make through real estate are important to me. Even after the transaction is over, I will continue to support you as your NAR member for life.
