10 Years in Real Estate — The Business That Changed My Life

Ten years.

That number still gives me pause. What started as a backup plan quietly became one of the most meaningful and impactful decisions of my life. Over the last decade, real estate hasn’t just given me a career—it has allowed me to build a life aligned with our values, our priorities, and the way we wanted to raise our family.

Looking back, it’s clear that this journey began with one simple truth: family comes first.

My Why: A Decision Rooted in Family

When I first found my way into real estate, it wasn’t because it had always been my dream. In fact, quite the opposite. I grew up in a family where real estate was ever-present, which meant it was always an option quietly sitting in the background—one I intentionally didn’t choose and something I had zero desire to do.

At the time, I was working in meetings and events, doing a job I truly loved with the most amazing team. It was fast-paced, fulfilling, and challenging—but it also came with early mornings, long evenings, and little flexibility in certain situations. During those years, my husband Rich was the constant. He was the “pick-up parent,” the one who made everything work behind the scenes for our family.

Then Rich received a promotion.

It was an incredible opportunity for him, but it also meant significantly more time in the office and more travel. Overnight, the rhythm of our family changed. The balance we had relied on was gone.

Because real estate had always been an option, I began working on my license—not with big expectations, but as a backup plan. Something flexible. Something that could help support our family if needed.

As the months passed, life became harder. Unplanned meetings. Sick kids. Schedule conflicts. Constantly relying on friends for school pickups because we didn’t have family in town. Each month felt more unsustainable than the last.

Eventually, we had to face an important truth: we didn’t want other people spending more time with our kids than we did.

We knew how we wanted to raise Vaughn and Beau. After about six months, something had to give. I made the incredibly hard decision to leave a job I loved and fully step into real estate.

At the time, we believed it would be part-time—just enough to cover dance classes, sports, and family trips.

We never imagined it would become what it is today.

A Different Background, A Different Approach

Before real estate, my career was built around planning meetings and events. I managed contracts, coordinated speakers, vendors, and volunteers, and lived by timelines, checklists, and contingency plans. I am a self-professed Type A personality and deeply organized—and it turns out those skills translate beautifully to real estate.

Every transaction is its own event. There are moving parts, deadlines, emotions, and people depending on you to get it right. Managing contracts, anticipating issues, communicating clearly, and creating calm in stressful moments comes naturally to me because it’s what I’ve always done.

A lot of real estate agents are all over the place and I realized quickly that my personality was a good fit for this business and my people loved a list and clear direction just as much as I did. My clients often tell me they feel less anxious simply knowing that I am handling things and managing the details—and that may be my favorite compliment of all. 

How I Got Started

When I officially stepped into real estate, I did so with the idea this could be something that would work for my family—and very little idea of what I was doing.

I joined a large team intentionally because I knew I needed people. I had always worked closely with coworkers and thrived in collaborative environments. I wasn’t interested in figuring it out alone or pretending I had all the answers.

I needed a support system. I needed people who could show me the ropes, answer questions, and help me build confidence. That team gave me structure, accountability, and encouragement during those early days—and it reinforced something I still believe deeply: even in an independent business, success is built through people. They taught me everything about what being a real estate agents truly looks like.

As my experience grew, so did my vision for what my business could become—but that foundation of community has stayed with me ever since.

The Many Versions of My Business

One of the biggest lessons real estate has taught me is that growth isn’t linear.

Over the years, I’ve experienced many versions of this business: I spent the majority of my career at a large, national broker—starting on a big team, partnering with another agent, going solo, building a team, returning to solo work with assistants, and eventually stepping into the role of Managing Broker at a smaller, boutique brokerage while still remaining able to work with my wonderful clients.

Each season served a purpose. Each phase taught me something different. I’ve learned that your business should evolve as your life does—and honoring that evolution is not a weakness, but a strength.

By the Numbers (And What They Really Mean)

Over the last 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping some of the best people sell more than 300 homes and closing over $100 million in real estate.

But those numbers don’t tell the full story.

Each transaction represents a family, a transition, and a moment of trust. First homes. Last homes. Fresh starts. Emotional goodbyes. The numbers are simply a reflection of the people who allowed me to walk alongside them during some of life’s biggest moments.

Awards, Recognition, and Perspective

I am deeply grateful for the awards and recognition I’ve received over the years. They’re affirming, and I don’t take them lightly.

But if I’m honest, they mean very little compared to the joy I’ve seen on my clients’ faces.

Nothing compares to the relief of a seller finally exhaling, the excitement of buyers holding their keys for the first time, or the handwritten notes and hugs long after closing day. What stays with me isn’t a trophy or a title—it’s what I carry in my heart for the people I’ve served.

How Real Estate Changed My Life

This career has given me flexibility, opportunity, and growth—but more than that, it has given me alignment.

It has allowed me to be present for my family while building something meaningful and lasting. It has taught me resilience, leadership, patience, and humility. And it has reinforced something I believe deeply: this work is personal, and it deserves to be treated that way.

Service has always been part of who I am. Real estate has also given me the platform and flexibility to lean even further into volunteerism—supporting schools, sports programs, nonprofits, and local organizations that matter deeply to me.

To me, success has never been about accumulation. It’s about contribution.

Why I Still Love This Business

After 10 years, I know this with certainty: real estate is a people business.

I love the relationships. I love the strategy paired with empathy. I love that so many clients have become friends. And I’m endlessly grateful for the vendor partners and fellow agents who have become such an important part of this journey.

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

What started as a backup plan turned into a thriving business—one that has served hundreds of families and continues to grow.

As I reflect on the last decade, my overwhelming emotion is gratitude. For the clients who trusted me. For the community that supported me. And for a career that allowed me to build a life centered on the people who matter most. This business is not for the faint of heart and is definitely not easy but I know I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. 

Ten years in, I’m still learning. Still growing. Still deeply honored to do this work.

And I’d choose it—and this why—all over again.

Here's to another 10 years!

Darby