From stay-at-home mom to business owner

By Natalie Frodsham, Broker/Owner, EXIT Ottawa Valley Realty, Brokerage

This all started because I answered an ad in the newspaper.

I have been in real estate for almost 17 years. Before real estate I was a stay-at-home mom which I loved! Being a stay-at-home mom gave me an opportunity for a new career choice. I had often thought of real estate and although this was a scary prospect for most of the people in my life, luckily my husband, Rob, was not one of them!

I heard things like, “It’s too hard, you have no guaranteed pay,” “You will work evenings and weekends,” “You don’t know many people where you live. How will you get business?” These were their fears, not mine, but they spoke from a place of love and concern.  Something still pushed me to look into it, and then I saw an ad in the local paper, asking, “Ever thought of a career in real estate?” Well yes, actually, I had. We lived in Cornwall, Ontario at the time, and it was an agent at EXIT who helped me get on this career path.

Fast forward seven months, I had my license, and Rob’s job moved us to Pembroke. I was actually nervous about leaving EXIT, as all the training I had there was amazing.  I had a mentor to call, and I wasn’t learning this new business on my own.

After getting settled in I joined another brokerage, met great people and really enjoyed my time there. Again, a newspaper ad changed my life. I receive an office duty call from someone looking to buy land; they would buy 30 lots if the price was right.  Back then I always went through the newspaper, and sure enough, I saw an ad for “lots for sale”. They had 30 lots to sell! I kept all this quiet because I didn’t want to hear, “It will never happen, you’re wasting your time, no one around here does that.”  I got the deal for the lots together with the developer and builder and then listed all those homes.  I learned a great deal about contract law and sold out that subdivision. This was a great start to my career. I worked hard for it – many, many long, anxious days – but it all came together.

We had the opportunity six years ago to bring EXIT to the Ottawa Valley. EXIT was a name that supported my career from the start, a company that had amazing energy.

The point of my story is, if you want something, go for it. If your goal is scary that’s okay – it’s great, actually. Don’t let other people’s fear scare you.  Trust in yourself.  Time passes whether you are accomplishing your goal or not.

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