I REALIZED THAT IF IT’S TO BE, IT’S UP TO ME!     In 2010, the year I turned 50, my life took a major turn. In the midst of planning my 50th birthday trip to Mexico, I was drastically downsized at work after being assured I had job “security”. I had been a dental hygienist for 30 years at that point and have never had to worry about job security for as long as I could remember. For the first time in ever, I began to panic about employment, money and job hunting. I had to look for work and start over. The first time I seriously had to look for work was in 2004 when I left the east coast and moved to California for a new adventure in my life. It was relatively easy to find a full time job with benefits during that time in the economy. Now, I had to compete, in a down turned economy with women half my age, just out of school and willing to work for much less than the daily rate I was accustomed to making. I had to lie about my many years of experience just to get a foot in the door. It was humiliating and I hated it. Here I was, working in the same profession for 30 years with nothing to show for it. I even looked into working overseas because I had dreamed of living in Europe. But I couldn’t stomach working in dentistry for another 20 years. I was wearing out and tired of working to make other people rich.

Then I realized that this happened for a reason. This was happening for me, not to me. This was a beginning and not an ending to my story. This was my opportunity to rise above my circumstances and recreate myself to find my purpose. Obviously I was meant for more in my life. I am not a victim. There are greater opportunities in store for me and I get to find them. If it’s to be, it’s up to me. 

It was around this time that I decided to gain a financial education and learn about investing in real estate. It wasn’t easy and it was time consuming, financially draining and threatened my relationship after only being married for 1 year. But, I believed in myself and my ability to be successful. I was a maniac on a mission. I was not going to give up. I knew that once this business took off, my husband would be fully on board. I had to take a stand for myself and my life. I gave myself 5 years to have multiple rental properties. I wanted my money to work for me and not the other way around.

Since 2010, we have bought, fixed and sold multiple properties in California and have rental properties in 3 states and Berlin, Germany. I also have been able to share my experience and education in support of other new real estate investors by mentoring. Hard work and commitment to financial independence has been the key to achieving these goals. I refuse to let limiting beliefs (mine or others) stop me from the pursuit of my dreams and goals. I’ve done a lot in the past 6 years. Always learning, always growing.

Telling my story has empowered me to want to inspire, motivate and empower other women to not give up on themselves and their dreams. Don’t say you can’t or that you are too old, too busy, too broke, too tired or whatever stories you tell yourself to keep you from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Don’t let the opinion of others hold you back either. I will be stepping further and further outside of my comfort zone in 2017 and I invite you to join me and follow my journey.

I’m scared, nervous and excited to share my triumphs and set backs with you. I hope it will be fun and encourage someone to say, “I deserve more and I’m going to go for it!”

@the_style_mogul