Back in 2002, I was a single mom, raising my two sons. I was frustrated in my employment, which lacked flexibility. I was gone from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, and couldn't be there for my boys. I decided to get a real estate license and become a commissioned salesperson, which promised flexibility and financial opportunity. Now some 24 years later, I can tell you, it's not been all sunshine and rainbows. There have been some really hard times, financially. When the market crashed back in 2008/09, I found myself in a great amount of financial uncertainty. I didn't have a job. I worked on commission. I had just opened a real estate brokerage and had committed to a long term lease on an office building. But no one was buying houses. Most homeowners had negative equity. For me, there were lots of creditors calling about my late payments. I was close to losing our home. Through lots of hard work and financial help from my family, I did find a way out and no longer face such uncertainty. What I learned during this time (and all the time since) was how to help families, like my own, to escape financial hardships using creative real estate solutions. I never intended to be doing what my company does now, but people kept seeking us out. I'm grateful and honored to help give hope to those who need help.