READ MY FULL STORY

I was raised in a small (but hard-working) Japanese home by a single mom and grandmother in London, Ontario. It turned me into a successful, well-traveled woman. And a realtor who truly cares about her work and the people she serves. This is my story.

We had a very simple life, but never suffered because Mom always provided what we needed. We lived in a cozy 1.5 storey, detached home on a quiet street that backed onto the neighbourhood park (location, location, location!). As newcomers, my family seemed like we had to do the impossible to pay for our house. But with perseverance, we managed to beat the odds. My mom and grandmother’s fight to succeed is how I learned to cheer for the underdog.

At a young age, Mom encouraged me to be in sports, and supported me even in the ones I was too small for. Because of her support, I learned how to swim upstream and how to go up against the big dogs. I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance in school, because I had to study more than others to get the same results.

When I left for Halifax, NS to attend University, the sadness of leaving our house and my sense of home was almost unbearable. My experience in leaving, and coping with it, was how I learned that the size or simplicity of a house does not dictate how much happiness it creates. Jumping from a life of comfort into one of only unknowns is where I learned how to manage uncertainty, and to face problems directly to solve them—well.

After University, I traveled west to work in the Canadian Rockies. I had high hopes of paying off student loans, family debt, and to save for new adventure! By now, I enjoyed this sense of uncertainty and began to experience the rewards of taking calculated risks. Working in the Hotel Food & Beverage industry, I continued to build my stamina by working hard, undertaking very long hours. The payoff was good, but I knew there was a better way to get ahead. So, I decided to head South—to the Cayman Islands.

In the Caymans, life was a constant struggle at first, because everything was so new, from driving on the opposite side of the road to not having civil rights as an expat. I started to question this decision. Was this the biggest miscalculation of my life? I had imagined living a life of luxury on the white-sand beaches of paradise, but in reality, I was starting from below-ground again, and climbed down towards a new depth of debt.

With trial and error, I slowly made my way back up this ladder, and eventually caught up to stand on even ground again. Having clawed my way back, l kept going, and managed to create an exceptional life and basis for financial wealth, discovering the good side of what money can offer. From this vantage point, I was able to appreciate where I came from, and to venture to new opportunities and experiences with freedom of choice, and the peace of mind that I could now share my wealth with others.

After seven years, I outgrew the screen-saver world of white-sand beaches, and it was time to start a new adventure. I had gained the knowledge and courage to continue my trek of collecting passport stamps, and I happily set out to do so. But, I was also curious about living a more "normal life," like the traditional one I shared with my Mom. So, I decided it was time to set down some roots, and I chose to move to Calgary.  

A LIFE WELL-LIVED, LESSONS WELL-LEARNED.
NOW, A CHANCE TO DIG INTO A CAREER I LOVE AND
BUILD CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS.

Upon moving back to the “real world” of Calgary, Alberta, my everyday-life was drastically differently than when I left Canada seven years ago. Calgary was a new city to me, and even though I felt like I was starting all over again, my experience gave me the confidence and know-how to hit the ground running. I decided to follow my passion for travel, back into the service industry with the Travel & Tourism program at SAIT. I soon found myself working as a leisure and corporate agent, but it still wasn't the right fit.

Then, my true career-love finally showed up. I happened to befriend a real estate broker, who one day told me that I have what it takes to be a successful Realtor. From her words of encouragement, I took my first steps towards a real estate career within that week.

Since 2006, I've been a happy, thriving full-time Realtor. After all my journeys, travelling and life experience, I find this work to be incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. I’m able to support my clients in achieving their own success, contribute to their lives in a meaningful way, and love that my values have shaped my business model. My career combines all the skills and life lessons I've learned along the way, which is why it's such a natural fit.