It doesn't have to be just a hobby.

For me this has meant a couple things, but most recently photography!

In this blog you will find a little inspiration, motivation, about me and my story, and the honest truth about owning multiple businesses.

Something I read stuck out to me recently, I don't remember it word for word, but it went something like... Encourage your kids and yourself to go after things you're/their good at, and things that makes the heart happy. When you put all your heart into something you have a passion for, you naturally start to get good at it because you're determined to and actually enjoy growing in it.

For me, this was most recently photography. The sole reason I started taking so many photos was because I have a TERRIBLE memory. Yes, I am one of those people who has to write everything down and put everything in my calendar, or I will forget. I started capturing moments so I could have the photos for memories. A couple years ago I got a Nikon D7500 camera (a pretty nice camera) for my birthday, before I even had my real estate license. I started watching YouTube videos and taking a course on how to use it, mostly using it for pictures of my animals and random life stuff. I still however wasn't really using it for real estate, mostly if I was bored at open houses or had my own listings. But, because the first two brokerages I hung my license at already had a designated photographer I didn't leap into it or have a desire to take it farther. It was more just a hobby that I enjoyed doing and learning about.

This is when I talk about embracing change and how it can open new doors and new opportunities! If you didn't know or are just tuning into my blog, I recently transferred my license to The Elm Group brokered by REAL. My switch had nothing to do with photography and wasn't even a talk of subject when I switched over. However not long after switching, my photography was discovered, and I soon became the photographer for my team and for other fellow agents that started being referred/hearing about me and my work as well!

Life is not always what you think it will be, and your path will not always take you where you thought it would. However, one key to life is embracing change and using it as a learning experience for growth.

If you really like knitting, drawing, sculpting, photography, houses, math, thrifting, arguing, washing dogs, teaching or whatever it may be. Sit down and take some time to think about, how can you turn your passion into something that you can live off of? Can you run with your passion and turn it into something bigger than just for yourself? Our goal in life is to be happy doing what we love every day right? I mean maybe not every day, but most days. There is no such thing as loving what you do every day, we all have our bad days or weeks, but if the bad outweighs the good then I think that's pretty dang amazing.

There were so many years where I was unhappy and undecided in what I wanted to do after I found I hated what I was going to college for. It was until I went to a job placement and took a random job in property management doing apartment leasing/marketing that I really started to find my passions and leaning into them. It was then I realized my love for houses and helping people find their safe space, but knew I needed a different environment which led me to becoming a realtor. I continued to follow my heart and passion, and now couldn't imagine my life any other way.

Don't be afraid to take the leaps, try new things, or take the random job. You truly never know what your path will bring, and you never know, it could lead you to your true passions. Another example is my juice company called FRESH, which I started as a side gig about 6 months ago when real estate was slow in the winter. I loved juicing for myself and coming up with yummy concoctions that benefit the body, and after taking a step back knew I had to share them.

Yes, there has been many bumps along the road, and a lot of learning curves. I have had to take steps back and re-prioritize between FRESH and real estate because both were growing too fast for me to manage. I have cried, struggled, been stressed staying up many nights till 4:00 am working trying to manage all 3. I will not sit here and say it's been easy, but it's getting easier! I have now found a good balance between the 3 and will continue to grow until a new change is needed. Hopefully one that consists of me opening a store front for FRESH and hiring/teaching someone my recipes to share!

Today, I feel like a queen of entrepreneurial ship. I still run FRESH, taking bulk or small orders once or twice a month (they are freezable, not losing nutrients for 2 months). I am still a proud realtor in the FM and surrounding areas. And as of the last month, I have added real estate photography to my portfolio. If you would have told me 5 years ago this is where I'd be today, I would have called you crazy. But my dad always said never stick all your eggs in one basket, and how finding multiple sources of revenue/income is a great way to build wealth. I guess it stuck with me!

This isn't me saying go start a new job tomorrow if you're unhappy in your current one, start 4 companies and follow 3 hobbies at once. Take a step back, write down the things you're doing when you're happiest. Go down that list and see if there is any that could take you on a new career path, one that would make you happy. This is me saying don't be afraid to follow where your path is leading you. It may not always be where you thought it would be, but if you're following your heart and gut it could just lead somewhere amazing with new opportunities and doors!

Don't be afraid of change - embrace it!