What is your background, and how did you get into finance?
My career took a parallel path, while going to college to finish my degree in accountancy, I started fix and flipping properties. I had two mentors who really pushed me into my first property, it was a launching pad. I’m grateful to my mentors and my education both reinforced taking the emotion out of the deal and focusing on the numbers. I left the accounting world and just focused on Real Estate Investing. I have a passion for sharing the lessons I’ve learned with other investors. One of the keys to my success in Real Estate Investing was knowing how and where to find properties that have instant equity. Probate properties were a great source of instant equity deals and I’ve enjoyed sharing these techniques with other investors for 30 years.
What obstacles did you run into and how did you persevere?
Learning how to balance being the mother because I wanted to be involved – at school, making breakfast and dinner each night and involved in my children’s activities as well as be a career woman. It’s who I was raised to be. I’ve always had a very supportive husband and we’re a very strong team. I also have a can do attitude.
Can you tell us a little bit about your current career and what you do?
There are several aspects of my current professional life. I develop and manage the real estate education for OTA, I manage my family’s real estate investments and I am the president of my local school board. I’m also on a couple of non-profit boards. It's busy and demanding but I love every moment of it.
Do you have any secrets for balancing being a mom with a successful career?
Making sure you take care of yourself. I need two things each day: my quiet time to pray/reflect and exercise. It’s hard to make yourself a priority when there are so many things (and people) pulling you. A wise mentor once reminded me, “always apply your oxygen mask first”, you can’t help others if you’re not OK.
What advice do you have for moms aspiring to become business owners and/or trader?
Have a plan and be willing to adapt. It’s important to stay in the moment because we can’t predict the future, but we can have plan A, B, C…. and be willing to walk through every open door.
What keeps you motivated?
Having the opportunity to impact lives, spending time with my husband and family and to live life on my terms.
Can you share a little about your family with us?
I’ve been blessed to have raised two amazing sons who are now starting their families and building successful careers. My husband and I are best friends and partners. Randy and I were raised by single moms (who did a great job), but we wanted our children to grow up with a stable foundation, same neighborhood, family nearby and mom and dad. Real Estate allowed us to give that to our sons and give them extraordinary educations at SMU in Dallas and UCLA. I know I’m blessed, and I want to help others be equally blessed.