📣 “Success is not final, and failure is not fatal—it’s the courage to continue that counts.”

Hello friends, agents, and aspiring entrepreneurs! Today, I want to take you through my rollercoaster journey of transformation—from bankruptcy to becoming a seven-figure real estate agent in just six years. This post isn’t about gatekeeping secrets; it’s about sharing every lesson, every tear, and every victory that helped me thrive in Los Angeles’ competitive real estate market.

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Starting from Scratch in Los Angeles

When I moved to Los Angeles in 2006, I had no roadmap. With a dream in my heart, I started a luxury lifestyle management company—just made it up and ran with it. Surprisingly, it became quite successful. I was planning high-profile weddings, styling clients, and feeling on top of the world.

Fueled by that success, I thought, Why stop here? So I launched my own clothing brand. But I made a critical mistake: I poured everything I earned from my first business into this new venture. Essentially, I was running a Ponzi scheme on myself—until the financial crisis of 2008 hit and I lost it all. I had amassed over half a million dollars in debt.

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Bankruptcy and Sobriety: Rock Bottom or New Beginning?

Life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect, and I had to face the harsh reality of bankruptcy. Cars, condos, credit card debt—you name it, I lost it. But hitting rock bottom became the turning point I needed.

After an intervention, I embarked on a journey toward sobriety. That decision was a game-changer, and today, I’m proud to say that I’ve been sober for over 14 years. It was in those dark moments that I began to realize: when one door closes, it’s up to us to build the next one.

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A Rebirth on Shark Tank

Determined to reinvent myself, I got my business on Shark Tank. Although I didn’t secure a deal, the experience gave me invaluable clarity. I discovered that I wasn’t passionate about running a clothing brand—I didn’t want to “sling slips” anymore. I wanted something more meaningful.

With the support of my family, I took a hard look at what I loved most: connecting with people and selling big ideas. And that’s how I found my way into the world of real estate.

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Diving Headfirst into Real Estate

Switching careers isn’t easy, especially when you’re pregnant, but I got my real estate license during my second trimester! It was intense, but it felt right. I had no fancy connections, no list of high-end clients, and no favors from my attorney husband. I was just a North Carolina native hustling in LA.

Fast forward to 2022: We became one of the top 100 agents out of 26,000 in Los Angeles, selling $150 million worth of real estate that year! It took hard work, tears, and relentless grit, but it was all worth it.

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Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Real estate isn’t just a job—it’s a business. If you’re entering this industry, you need to see yourself as both an agent and a brand. Your success is tied directly to your mindset and ability to connect with people authentically.

I cried during my first two years in real estate—it was that tough! But I’m sharing these experiences because I want you to know that success is possible, even when things seem impossible.

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Final Thoughts: What’s Next for You?

Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up, the key is consistency and mindset. In future posts, I’ll be diving deeper into the nitty-gritty—marketing, building a team, and scaling your business.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve already invested in yourself. Keep going! Your seven-figure dream is closer than you think. 🎯

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Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips in the next post! 🚀