My primary concern was always my kids. As a single mom, I needed a way to provide for them and keep them feeling safe. For myself, I needed to move forward, improving and growing. Luckily, I was able to find the perfect place to learn before spreading my wings and finding the path that led me to a career that I love.

At 18 I moved out of my parent’s home while still a senior in high school. Knowing I had to do whatever it took to provide for myself with nobody there to help if I couldn’t, was a scary thought. I knew hard work and perseverance were the only way to approach the beginning of my adult life.

I started working leasing apartments and met my husband there. Little did I know at that time that my marriage would be painful and more of a challenge than a healthy partnership. I have two kids now and would go through all the trouble all over again to have the two amazing kids I have.

I have always been driven. Once I knew that leasing was a skill of mine, I knew I needed to keep expanding on it so getting my Real Estate License at 22 was an obvious next step for me. I love that my job allows me to be let into peoples lives very quickly. Once someone knows you are trustworthy, they need you to really know them in order to help them find the right home. This made my work fun for me. I can honestly say I became friends with my clients, all of them! Then because I care so much about people, working hard to do the best for them came easily.

When the time came to get out of my abusive marriage, I was lucky to be in the right place for stability for my kids. I had come to work as a property manager with a company called Brunk & Brunk. Tom and Brenda provided me an hourly position that gave me the financial ability to get out of my marriage. They took me under their wing almost like a second set of parents, supporting me emotionally through tough times, teaching me how to refine my skills and teaching me a path to success and business ownership that I will never be able to thank them enough for.

I know that when the time came for me to “leave the nest” as I put it to them, they were a little surprised. I don’t think they realized that the 12 years I was with them, they were ultimately teaching how to eventually leave them. Even though they were surprised I know that our relationship was more than business and just like they would be for their own kids, they were happy for me to grow and spread my wings! Still to this day they are my mentors, and I am so grateful for the path they provided me.

I do remember being scared however to make that leap of faith. To jump from a W-2 paycheck thatt was guaranteed to all commission with only myself to count on.  I spoke to my dad and asked him, ”what if I fail?” and when he asked me what the worst thing that could happen was my answer was “I could lose the roof over my kids head…which it job #1 to me” and he said “then you would move in with us”. That being processed as a worst-case scenario safety net, I was comfortable taking the leap!

I again knew hard work and perseverance were the only way to tackle this new venture, and I can say it has served me well!

One of my favorite transactions was for a close friend’s mother. She was in her 70’s and going through a divorce. She had $200,000 to her name and needed a house. We made seven offers that were all turned down.

I took her to the next showing. When we stepped inside, she said, “This is why the other offers didn’t get accepted” I knew we didn’t have the best offer, and at that time “love letters” were still an acceptable thing to do, so I wrote one to the sellers. I told them about my client and that I needed to do whatever it took to get her this house, I told them to take my commission off by increments of $1000 until there was nothing left if it meant she got the house.

The next morning the listing agent called me and said “Wow, what a compelling letter you wrote! Even though yours was not the best offer your buyer got the house” I said “great, so I am assuming I needed to give the entire commission?” She replied “No, my sellers were so touched by your letter they want your client to get the home and for you to get paid”

Those are the sales that stick with me. When it’s not about money, but about people being good to people. Those moments make this job worthwhile.

Sincerely,

Rachel Pugia
Broker-Owner