What's my story?

It was around 5 am on a Saturday morning. I was 9 years old. My dad gently nudged me to wake up because I told him that I would tag along for one of his deliveries. On top of other odd jobs, he also used to drive to various convenience stores every Saturday and deliver used car flyers.

I loved being his assistant. We’d open up a map and create the route together. Which store were we going to first? How many flyers did they request?

When we came home, he'd show me a spreadsheet where he organized all of his deliveries. He taught me where to input the data from our day and how to keep track of our work. Then I’d go for a nap because I was only 9 years old.

I learned a lot about my dad during those years. Even though he didn’t follow an entrepreneurial path in his new life, he never let that spirit die. A big part of his job back home used to be the ability to track shipments, organize invoices and monitor inventory coming in and going out. He genuinely loved it, and even if he was just making deliveries, he continued to keep that passion alive.

But things changed. The used car dealership moved to the internet, and no longer printed flyers. They didn't need him anymore. His job as a cashier ended. He became a cab driver, which was something he was absolutely dreading.

On the upside, he managed to buy a house for his family, but it was hard for us to celebrate. I remember moving into the house feeling so confused. I may have been a little kid, but that home purchase didn’t seem right. The space was so messy, the sellers didn’t take any of their belongings, they left a gun under their bed, there were wigs in the closet, and the list goes on. We hadn’t even seen the backyard until after the purchase, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.Years later, my dad told me that he felt like he was mistreated. The process wasn’t explained to him and he wasn’t protected as a buyer.

My dad was someone who would go above and beyond in any job, but his agent didn’t even try to meet minimal expectations. I was furious.I remember that house being a cause for so many family fights. My dad was just trying to make ends meet and couldn’t afford dealing with a fixer-upper home. But as much as it was a disaster, it was also a blessing. We learned how to appreciate the little things, and how far we had come from a cold and cramped basement apartment.

We had a roof over our heads and a real estate investment that would benefit me and my siblings in the long-term. It wasn’t until I had my two daughters that I truly understood why my dad would always say that he made this investment for us (his kids). I saw how important a home buying journey can be for families with kids who have a long-term plan.I was inspired! I realized that I could make a difference in people’s lives, and that I could be the Realtor my dad wished he’d had.

So, I got my real estate license. I wanted to be a guiding light for growing families because they deserve someone reliable, communicative, and fully committed to helping them find a place. My dad worked so hard to pay off his mortgage and give his kids a life that he envisioned for them.

I’ve used the equity from his home for my own family, so I see how important a real estate asset can be for generations to come.This why being a Realtor isn’t just a job for me. Helping families find a home is never going to be a regular task. Their future goals and long-term vision will become my personal mission for them, and I can’t wait to see how their lives transform through this journey!