When I was an elementary school teacher, my two biggest challenges were schedule freedom and financial freedom. I loved teaching—it was a fulfilling job in many ways—but I also felt trapped. My time wasn’t my own, and despite working hard, my income felt capped. As the daughter of a teacher and a mechanic, I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly. They instilled in me a strong work ethic, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be a way to create more freedom in my life.

In 2013, when I was 24, I took a leap that would change everything: I bought my first house. At the time, it felt like a huge risk, but I quickly realized the power of owning real estate. By renting out part of my home, I was able to supplement my mortgage—and even create some extra cash flow. That experience opened my eyes. If I could do this with one property, what could I do with two? Or ten? The possibilities of scaling a real estate business became endlessly fascinating to me.

A couple of years later, I purchased a second house and started house hacking—renting out parts of my home to completely cover my mortgage and then some. By that point, I was hooked. I devoured every book, podcast, and YouTube channel I could find about real estate. But as I dove deeper, I noticed a few things. Almost all the “gurus” were men, and none of them had the exact portfolio mix or strategy I envisioned for myself. My situation was specific, and I knew the best way for me to learn was by doing. So, I jumped in.

I started looping in friends and family, partnering on properties I believed were incredible opportunities. I got creative with financing and reimagined how properties and spaces could be used. With each deal, I grew my portfolio and confidence. Around the same time, friends started asking how I was doing it, and I naturally fell into selling real estate. Helping others navigate their homebuying journeys became just as rewarding as building my own portfolio.

At one point, I found myself juggling two growing businesses—my real estate investing and my work as a real estate agent—all while still teaching part-time. It became clear I needed to make a choice. In 2018, I made the decision to leave the classroom and pursue real estate full-time. It was terrifying, but it was also the most exciting and empowering decision I’ve ever made.

In 2019, I launched my own brokerage. Over the past six years, it’s grown to a team of eight full-time agents. My real estate portfolio has expanded to 19 properties and 32 units. Today, my investments and my brokerage provide me with financial and schedule flexibility—the kind of freedom I could only dream of as a teacher.

Looking back, I’m grateful for every step of this journey. I’ve learned so much—not just about real estate, but about taking risks, trusting my instincts, and creating a life that aligns with my values. My experience taught me that real estate isn’t just about properties or cash flow; it’s about building a foundation for the life you want to live.

If you’re someone who’s feeling stuck, whether it’s with your job, your finances, or your time, I hope my story inspires you to explore what’s possible. It’s not always easy, but if I could figure it out, you can too. Sometimes, all it takes is one step—one property, one leap of faith—to change everything.