by: Stephanie Gonzalez It was 1996 and the year was coming to an end. I had recently graduated from college and was just beginning my real estate career. Entering the world of real estate happened rather casually: my best friend's mom, Jade Mills, was a successful agent. She (and her real estate assistant) needed some help in growing her business. At that time, I was called into real estate on a short-term basis to earn extra cash and help her on a part-time basis. I was quickly drawn into the fast-paced, never-boring world of real estate. Within three months, she introduced me to another top-producing real estate agent who needed a full-time assistant. Her name was Kathy Villa. Kathy and I worked together for 2.5 years. And, boy was it an eventful 2.5 years. Kathy was once married to someone who traveled with and was very tied into the Rat Pack. Needless to say, Sinatra, Martin, & Davis were often streaming (via computer CD) in our office. She introduced me to that musical era. It wasn’t often, as she was typically bolting with enthusiasm and joy, but on a rare occasion when she was feeling blue, she would lean on music to help lift her spirits. The routine was raw, real, and exhilarating. She would shut the door to our office. She would crank up the volume and we would listen and sing along to "That’s Life" by Frank Sinatra. It was cathartic and energizing. It was an intimate moment between her and me, where we shared in a woe – while also proactively shifting the energy in the hopes to get and feel different. Here I am in 2023. I’m still in real estate. I have carried that moment and that song in my pocket for the past 27 years. This business is not easy. It comes with lots of up and downs. Take a minute to reflect on the song – it is a great anthem for those of us in real estate: "That’s life That’s what all the people say You’re riding high in April, shot down in May But I know I’m gonna change that tune When I’m back on top, back on top in June… I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet a pawn and a king I’ve been up and down and over and out And I know one thing Each time I find myself layin’ Flat on my face I just pick myself up and get Back in the race..." Why am I sharing this story with you? Because you are not alone. I have been blessed by this wild world of real estate 100 times over. I have been blessed by the fierce female mentors who helped me get my start in this business. I was blessed to find my partner in life because of this business. I cut my first teeth as an entrepreneur in this business. I have been blessed to find myself currently helping, coaching, and mentoring others. This business can be very lonely – if you let it. It’s important to remember the power that you possess. The power to be influenced and the power to influence. You can let it get you down (set the egg timer for 5 minutes and turn on “That’s Life”). Just don’t ever let it keep you down!