1) What is your story? I am a Columbus, Ohio native. I have lived in Columbus for all but about four years of my life. I am the oldest of two girls. I am a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools, The Ohio State University and Franklin University. I have traveled all over the world. I love my family and friends, good food (especially bacon), travel, helping others, and God. In terms of work, I started working when I was 17 and have not applied for a job since I was around 22 years old. The last job I applied for was a Payment Processor, and my last corporate role was Senior Vice President and Director of Business Banking Operations for one of the largest banks in the country. I have worked in Industrial Engineering, Retail Banking, Sales, Training, Management, Process Improvement, and Project Management. When I was 40 I decided to venture out on my own, and I’ve never looked back.
One of the things that I have always tried to practice is gaining an understanding of who “feeds” me my work and who my work “feeds” – by taking the time to understand the processes and decisions that affect the work that comes to you and then what is done with the product or information that you produce, and how the person or department that receives it uses it – you will work smarter and you will be less frustrated and make fewer errors.
I have operated under the instruction of “growing where you are planted” and making the most (and giving the most) of where I am and what I am doing. I have also worked to make improvements and to reduce the need to rework things. I have practiced helping others complete their work, and I look for ways to obtain additional information and knowledge. Curiosity leads to questions leads to change and growth.
I went from Payment Processor to Exception Processor to Technology Liaison to Management Trainee at one company, to Management Trainee to Package Center Planner to Air Planner to IE Supervisor at the next, to Lockbox Manager to Regional Lockbox Manager to Data Processing Manager to Item Processing Manager to Remittance Services Manager to Cash Management Operations Director at the next, to Business Banking Operations Director, and then from there to CEO of my own company. I was approached by the largest independent brokerage in Ohio to partner with them, and in mid-2017 I merged my company with HER Realtors, and that is where I am today.
My goals are pretty simple – I want to ensure that my clients have the best possible experience when buying, selling or building a home. I want the agents that work with me – whether in my office or with another brokerage representing their client on the other side of the table – to know that we are partners working towards the same goal – the mutual satisfaction of all parties.
3) What obstacles did you overcome to get where you are today?
Obstacles are a part of life – I have faced many and there are more to come – racism, betrayal, sexual harassment, self-esteem issues, jealousy, judgment, fear, loss of relationships, and so on. You have to get clear about who you are and what you believe and evaluate obstacles as they present themselves to determine what is true and what is not about those obstacles. And then you move forward with the best course of action. And you don’t stop until get to the next obstacle.
4) What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
Wow. This is a really hard question! I have “accomplished” quite a bit, and I guess I don’t think about my accomplishments in terms of degrees. If I had to choose, I would say stepping away from a guaranteed paycheck to work for my family and myself, and then taking it a step further and growing from a team of one to a team of eleven in just over three years.
5) Who is your role model?
My first role models were my parents. Born and raised in the South, they met in college and have been married for over 53 years. They have both retired from successful careers and still work to this day. They are besties!! From my mom I have definitely learned how to overcome obstacles, determination, and the importance of saving and having something of your own; and from my dad organization, wit, and how to just “be cool” in difficult situations. Honestly, I have several role models – I learn something from nearly every person that I meet. If you ask questions and observe, and have the courage to move past assumptions, you will be surprised how much you can learn and adopt from others – things to do, ways to live, actions to take, and so on – and you can also get clear about what does not work and what will not serve you in the long run.
6) What is your advice for girls?
- Be positive. Mind your energy.
- Be excellent. In everything. At all times.
- If you don’t feel good about something – don’t do it.
- Develop critical thinking skills.
- Develop listening skills.
- Have a plan. And a backup plan.
- Volunteer – share your time, talents, and your treasure.
- Save and invest. Once you establish what you can live on, as you continue to get raises, bonuses and increases – save and/or invest those increases.
- Travel. To other cities in your state. To other states. To other countries. To other continents. Perhaps, eventually, to other worlds. Experience other cultures – you will learn to appreciate differences, you will appreciate what you have, you may unearth your passion(s), and you certainly will eat some great food along the journey!
- And finally, boys will come and boys will go – just say no! In other words, you do not want to place yourself in a position where you have to make a life-altering decision at a young age. “It will be greater, later” a friend once told me.
7) Do you have a personal mantra/favorite quote?
My favorite lately is:
“Bruised heels still crush serpents’ heads”.
Speaks to me of the power that is inherent in the female, that we sometimes forget we have because life can be hard. But by no means are you to give up – you will win in the end if you keep going.
8) What does it mean “To lead Unstoppable Life” to You?
Recognition that one can do whatever one puts their mind to. We have been gifted with transformational power – we only need to tap into it. I truly believe that I can do whatever I decide I want to do. And I believe you can, too – so get to it!
