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February Challenge Part II - Life as a Professional

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

Part II of the February Challenge that Carol Williams put before us. Part I was about our personal lives and what has shaped us. In this post, we are to share the experiences in life that have impacted us in our professional lives.

As I look back on my professional life, it has been very exciting, varied, and never boring. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology, I began my professional career teaching high school science which I loved. Many people bemoan teaching yet, I found much satisfaction as a teacher.

My entrepreneurial career began in my early 30's when I built a cheerleading and gymnastics business that became a thriving success with over 1,000 students very quickly.  Years later, I sold the gym as I moved into my next professional phase.

Welcome to real estate! For the past 17 years, I have enjoyed the real estate profession. I quickly found that commercial real estate beckoned me as well as owning my own boutique brokerage. Today, I own and run a small brokerage in Granbury, Texas called Beam & Branch Real Estate.

Most recently, along with the brokerage, my husband and I began purchasing and renovating historic buildings in our town. The brokerage is in one, and we just completed our second building that houses retail space on the first level with a 7-room boutique hotel upstairs.

The main influencing factors to my professional life began in my high school years. I was blessed to have the "winningest" coach in history who is from Granbury, Leta Andrews. She is up for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year and we are praying she will take the prize!

My years of being coached by Leta shaped me into the woman I am today. She lit a fire that encouraged us to reach our goals, never give up, and work hard. These principles have undergirded my entire adult life.

During some of the most challenging health crises' of losing a lung, I could hear Coach Andrews telling me, "Girl, don't you give up!" Staying down was not something she would have accepted so I got up. 

If I were to write a book about my professional life, it would be entitled, "Get Up and Keep Going". Having the mantra that failure is never an option is certainly a great way to go into any challenge. I am thankful for this mentality that has served me well in life.

I did write a second book called, LIV2DAY, which does have a lot of my story wrapped into the main narrative. Each and every day must be lived intentionally and with great purpose. May you fully LIV2DAY!

Here is a link to my Part I of the February Challenge.

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Comments(12)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Paula- Someday Larry and I will make it to Granbury to see your renovations!!!  What an interesting story and love how your coach motivated you. 

Feb 26, 2022 06:17 PM
Carol Williams

Kathy Streib  I just commented on Paula's Part I that we need to have a Texas meet-up in Granbury and use her boutique hotel as meet-up central. I'd be up for a trip for that! 

Feb 27, 2022 12:03 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Paula I hope to take a trip to Granbury to see all you've created!  It is so exiting!!  I love it!!  I have said many times to folks I've  taught and coached ' Get Up and Move Your Feet"!  I love  with "Get Up And Keep Going!  And that's exactly what you keep doing!

Feb 26, 2022 08:18 PM
Carol Williams

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker 
I just commented on Paula's Part I that we need to have a Texas meet-up in Granbury and use her boutique hotel as meet-up central. I'd be up for a trip for that! 

Feb 27, 2022 12:03 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We should all have someone in our lives, other than our parents that lights the fire that guides us through the hard times and started the motivation to succeed.  You had such a person and it has fared well for you

Feb 27, 2022 05:14 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Paula - it's easy to see how your high school coach has been an inspiration to you.  Nice story of continuing to push forward.  

Feb 27, 2022 05:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Loved learning more about your background, Paula. And clearly, you've been a success at everything you put your mind to do. Get up and keep going... exactly how I've always lived my own life without putting words to it.

Feb 27, 2022 05:44 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

That is quite a blessing to have played for such a great and inspiring coach.  I hope she does make it to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  I love basketball.  I almost made the team my junior year in high school.  I was the last guy cut.  It still inspired me to become better.

Feb 27, 2022 06:04 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thank you for sharing. Having an inspiring coach who taught life lessons was priceless!

Feb 27, 2022 06:20 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paula,

What a wonderful coach you had, and we wish her well too.  She was an inspiring force in your life.  Happy Sunday.  A

Feb 27, 2022 07:05 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Paula, I enjoyed reading this  about you. Sounds like Coach was a wonderful mentor for a life well-lived. And yes, LIV2DAY! 

Feb 27, 2022 08:02 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello, Dr. Paula McDonald you certainly have an interesting professional background. No doubt your early days of coaching stayed with you.

There isn't anything that can stop you.  Get up and keep going is so fitting. 

Feb 27, 2022 09:11 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Paula,
You're just full of surprises. I never would have guessed you as a Cheerleading and gymnastics coach.  But, then, I've been surprised by many of the entries in this Challenge. What an amazing group we have! 

Feb 27, 2022 12:06 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I enjoyed reading about your life, Paula.  I'm learning so many interesting things from those participating in this challenge.

Feb 27, 2022 09:41 PM