Meet a Houston Mom: Meet Erin Kaplan of Krantz Luxe Group, Compass

Hello Erin, where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?

I am a native Houstonian. Which means I’ve been here approximately 40 years minus my college years in Austin and a short stint (less than a full year) in Florida working in Disney theme parks. In fact, there are many generations of Houstonians in my family, and I’m married to a native Houstonian, so my Houston roots run deep.

Child(ren) and Age(s)?

I’m a mom to three beautiful babies. I have two girls, ages 10 and 8, and one boy, who is five years old.

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!

Yes! I am a full time, luxury real estate agent with the Krantz Luxe Group at Compass. Next to my family, serving my clients is my number one priority. There is nothing I love more than helping families, builders and investors buy and sell properties that meet their needs and financial goals. Real estate is so multi-faceted and keeps me on my toes every day. No two days or two transactions look the same, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You can check out my team at www.krantzluxegroup.com and follow us on instagram @erinfkaplan and @krantzluxegroup. I also love finding ways to give back to my community through helping at my children’s school (Go West U Mustangs!) and involvement with Holocaust Museum Houston and the 3G program for descendants of Holocaust survivors.

How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

Since I’m native to Houston, the Houston community has been EVERYTHING when it comes to helping me get to where I am today. It goes as far back as my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles cheering me on over the years, and introducing me to friends of theirs who shared interests and goals of mine. I still have close Houston friends from my neighborhood elementary school in Meyerland, all the way through high school at Kinkaid and college at the University of Texas Austin. These friends have remained a steady source of community and connection through every phase of life. And now, as a mother, I’ve had the joy of meeting and connecting with new friends through my childrens’ schools, activities and the Houstonian. All of these people have helped me form a community of love and support that guides me through every day as a mom, wife and professional.

What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?

My best advice for juggling it all as a working mom–or mom who volunteers (because even my stay at home mom friends are busier than ever!) is “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Letting go of perfectionism in motherhood has been the only way I can successfully get everything done. My kids don’t care if my car is a mess or all the laundry is put away, but they do care if I’m cleaning instead of helping with homework. Also, sometimes done is better than perfect (so if chicken nuggets are the only way everyone is getting fed, then we are having chicken nuggets). And don’t be afraid to ask for help because there simply are not enough hours in the day.

What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?

What I would tell myself before having kids: This may be cliche but “you’re not tired and you’re not busy!” It blows my mind that I thought I was busy and tired before I was trying to balance a household, a full time real estate career and 3 kids school/after school schedules. Kuddos to the moms of 4+ kids. I don’t know how you do it!

Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?

Funniest shortcut? Hmmm I’m not sure! I tend to try to make things easy on myself, so shortcuts are my go-to. I guess a funny one is that I’ll tell my middle child to get dressed and sleep in her school clothes for the next day. She moves at a snail’s pace in the morning! I actually think she came up with this strategy herself though!