Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
I was born in Houston and my family moved to California when I was young. But we couldn’t stay away and we returned back to Houston in 1998.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
My kiddos are Kai and Ivy. Kai is a very active 2.5yr old, and Ivy is just 3mo old
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I think people may be surprised to know that for many years I wasn’t sure if I would have kids or not! Like many moms, I went through times of wondering if I would be a good mom, and I went through relationships that didn’t inspire me to start a family. For me, becoming a mom wasn’t always my clear path. Now it’s my most important and most cherished role!
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
Experiencing a pandemic has made this answer crystal clear! During Covid, I’ve really realized the little things that I love most about our city. At the top of my list, I can say I truly love (and miss) visiting the huge variety of restaurants Houston has to offer, being with friends and family on Lake Conroe, taking in live music events, and enjoying a TexMex margarita with a group of friends.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes! I am the broker and owner of Pop Realty. We are a small boutique residential real estate brokerage servicing clients in Houston and surrounding areas. Houston real estate is my life’s passion! At Pop Realty we view ourselves as consultants for our clients during some of life’s big transitions, and we provide clear guidance to help our clients with one of the biggest investments in their lives.
Following Houston’s economic trends and having in-depth knowledge of our city’s various communities allows us to help our clients navigate their real estate decisions. Often our clients start with some general ideas and lots of questions, and our role is to help our clients understand their options and find clarity on the next steps that make sense for their families. We really view our client relationships as lifelong partnerships, as we want to be a resource to be relied on for generations. We are straight shooters, and we work hard to help our clients realize their real estate dreams.
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Absolutely! The Houston community is the only reason that I’ve achieved the success that I have in real estate. My passion for Houston, and appreciation for the eclecticness of our city, fuels my desire to help my clients make the right moves for their families. Further, I’m a two-time UH COOG!! I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Houston, which is where so many relationships began with others who are impressive professionals throughout our city.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
Oh man! I don’t know if I’m qualified to give parenting advice because let me keep it real … it’s truly a juggling act and isn’t always pretty. This is my personality, I’ll be the first one to admit when my “mom boss journey” has road bumps. But here’s what I would say; embrace it. Embrace the journey and appreciate the small moments. When things are chaotic, give yourself grace and let things be imperfect. When it all feels like too much, hug those babies and find something to laugh about … those giggles are a cure-all for life challenges. Then keep it moving.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Easy! “Don’t limit your thinking”. Listen, I’m a realist. I look ahead to anticipate what the challenges will be so I can prepare and overcome them. But I’m also a positive thinker because I know whatever those challenges are, I will navigate them. I used to limit myself with small dreams and would work consistently to achieve the small dreams one by one. Now I’ve proven to myself that those dreams can be bigger, and to not hold myself back with limitations. I love this saying; “Follow your heart, but take your head with you!” Go big, and be smart.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Well, it’s not super funny, and maybe obvious to most … but I do as much as I can when kiddos are asleep! This does involve some tiptoeing around and hilarious “fails” (ie: mom and dad creeping through dark rooms trying to find something around a sleeping baby). But sleepy time prep work helps to ensure things aren’t too chaotic when the kiddos wake up and need the world! ☺
