I didn’t plan on starting over. Not once, not twice—certainly not three times. But life has a way of handing you unexpected challenges, and with them, lessons that shape you.

 

There was a time when I thought I had the perfect life. My career in real estate had afforded us vacations, a lake home, and my dream home. I called it the “glass house” because it sat high on a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private drive, a city view, and my own pool. Buying that home was like a symbol of success after all the effort I had poured into creating a better life for my family. But when my kids went off to college, I went through a divorce.

 

When that chapter ended, I lost everything and had to fully finance a condo just to have something of my own. Not to mention, the nation was going through the 2008 market crash. As I was helping people through short sales and foreclosures, I was going through my own journey of starting over. 

 

I’ve never been afraid of hard work. When I started my career, I was juggling three jobs as a young mom and later used our savings to launch my real estate business. Betting on myself has never failed me, and this time was no different. I dug in, did the work, and rebuilt.

 

In 2012, I remarried and moved to Dallas. It was a fresh start. New city, new license, and a whole new real estate market to

 navigate. I didn’t know anyone but grew a new business and was able to reach the top 1% of agents. That second time rebuilding taught me I was able to not only survive but thrive through challenges.

  

Then, after some life changes, I came back home to Missouri on April 1st, 2020. As it turns out, that date was fitting. I was ready to hit the ground running, but the universe had other plans. The pandemic shut everything down. No in-person meetings, no showings, no real income. I used the equity from the 

home I sold in Dallas just to stay afloat. And because I’d been away, the client base I once had wasn’t there anymore. The connections had faded. I was back at square one.

 

I had to dig deeper than ever before to get through it. And I did. My local knowledge and years of experience helped me start my business over, reestablish relationships, and eventually get back to a place where I could buy my own home again. To me, owning something—no matter how big or small—provides a solid foundation under your feet to truly grow and lay down roots. 

 

Each restart has made me stronger, more focused. It’s made me a better person and a better professional. I know what it

feels like to start from nothing, to lose your footing, to fight your way back. That’s why I show up for people the way I do.

Whether I’m helping someone downsize, transition to a new city, buy their first home, or navigate financial challenges—I’m there. I get what it feels like to be overwhelmed, to feel like you don’t have all the answers. And I bring that empathy to every client I work with, wanting to make a positive difference in their lives.

 

What’s humbled me most isn’t what I’ve lost—it’s what I’ve learned. I’ve led teams, mentored agents, and spoken to rooms full of professionals—but my greatest strength is my empathy. No amount of training can teach that. It comes from living through the tough stuff. And coming out the other side with even more to give. 

 

When I work with clients, I’m fully invested start to finish. I take on the role of project manager, making sure every detail is handled so my clients don’t have to carry the stress alone. Whether it's coordinating contractors, overseeing foundation bids, staging a home, or even helping to scrub kitchens - I’m hands-on every step of the way. I keep everything moving, lining up painters, selecting finishes, managing timelines, and making

 sure nothing falls through the cracks. When it comes to prepping a home for sale, I’m just as focused on protecting my clients’ budget as I am on presenting the home in the best possible light.

  

My business is built on relationships, and that’s reflected in how I guide buyers, too. I educate them on what to look for, everything from neighborhood dynamics to HVAC serial numbers, so they feel confident in their decisions. I specialize in residential real estate, with certifications in corporate relocation, luxury homes, new construction, and senior real estate. No matter the price point or situation, my goal is always the same: to make the process seamless, empowering, and grounded in trust.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Laura MacDonald