Unlocking doors and walking across thresholds...

Unlocking doors and walking across thresholds...

There may be a few instances in my lifetime that spurned me to become a real estate agent.

Going to other people's houses as a child always held a fascination for me as I crossed the threshold of their home, to see how they lived. Growing up poor, meant times when there was no working utilities, little or no furniture, no art on the walls and often sleeping on pallets made with blankets on the floor where we landed. 

As an adult, I looked for a better way of life, often working menial jobs until something better came up, thinking one day I'd go to college and study Graphic Design. Finally, right before I turned 30, I met with a college counselor, signed up and made the Dean's List every semester, also the President's Honor Roll, then graduated.

During my tenure as an advertising / marketing professional for a local home builder, I absorbed everything there was to learn about residential construction from the ground up. I studied the standards set forth, knew what to look for that separated a well built home from one not quite up to par.

After striking up a conversation with a potential home buyer looking for a newly constructed home, he asked if I was a real estate agent. I replied, "No." to which he said, "I would have hired you to represent me if you were one." Little did I realize it at the time, that set the tone for what would take place in the following year to come.

My job description pertained to creating ads to attract potential new construction home buyers, award programs and representing the company by attending community functions. I was hailed in brisk times and became the scape-goat when the market fell out. I decided it was time to take charge of my own fate at that point.

I began to take real estate classes at the local Real Estate Academy, one of the owners of the company found out, didn't like it and let me go. I didn't realize it at the time but it was a blessing and the best thing to happen to me in quite a few years. Freedom! No more being handed my self-worth in a paycheck every two weeks.

I passed my test, went to work part-time in real estate and part-time for another home builder / developer, was laid off due to downsizing because of the economy and then jumped into real estate full time. I was now fully in charge of running my own business, a challenge that I met head on! I am still unlocking doors and walking across thresholds while moving in an ever forward direction. Amen!

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This is an entry to: What event in your life/the world led you to where you are today?