08/10/2026
These are not just any old keys... 11 years ago I was trying to write the thesis for my doctorate in Educational Technology and I had just earned my real estate license. At the time I was teaching high school and a newly divorced single mom trying to raise a young daughter on a painfully low teacher's salary.
My stomach was twisted in knots day in and day out. I did not know how I was going to make ends meet. I was terrified. But I was also lucky enough to have two choices : education or real estate. I tried and tried to finish that thesis but the every day pressures of paying bills made it really, really hard to concentrate. On the other hand I did not know a lick about real estate either. It was the proverbial fork in the road.
I thought and thought about both of these careers and which one I should pursue, which one would be best for my little two person family? After much soul searching I took the road less traveled by me, real estate.
I chose it because it would allow me to be there for my daughter more than a career in education would. It wasn't easy though. I had worked hard on my doctorate and mourned not finishing it for a really long time. Nevertheless, I committed to my choice and every day I put one foot in front of the other, determined to figure out this real estate thing and how to do it right and do it well.
It took some time, but I made it work. I became of the first ever Board Certified REALTORS® in Florida, a distinction that was hard won (there are still only 42 in the entire state out of over 225K licensed agents). I have also earned 9 real estate designations and certifications and have been quoted in various publications, both local and national, over the years. In May I earned my broker's license and opened Avila Real Estate LLC. Today, I got the keys to my brokerage's new office in the heart of Oakland Park.
As I said in the beginning, these are not any old keys, these keys are the culmination of many years of hard work and an indefatigable determination to succeed and give my daughter the best life possible. These keys are very, very, very special!!!
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not THANK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART all of you who made this moment possible. Those of you who trusted in me and believed in me when I needed it it most, I am so grateful for your support and I am still here for you!! I can't thank you enough!!
Now, another phase of hard work begins. Stay tuned, more news coming soon!!