Yesterday marked my 10 year anniversary as a real estate agent. It’s been quite a ride. Before I started actually working in the business I thought it would be easy — like I’m sure most people do — and then reality quickly set in. When I started, the real estate market was crashing. It also didn’t help that I was young and looked young and inexperienced.

From 2007-2010 I worked in real estate during the day and on weekends and then ran around valet parking cars in San Francisco, sometimes until after midnight. I was exhausted. In 2009 I ruptured my spleen and landed in the hospital for a week. I seriously began to question what I was doing and started to wonder if it was all worth it.

A few weeks later, I got a call from a woman at a bank I had been contacting, well okay, harassing, almost weekly about working with them to sell their distressed properties. I think the woman’s name was Virginia. She started the conversation by saying, “You have been so persistent, I’m going to give you a chance.” We need you to sell a property for us in Colma. I felt like I had won the lottery. In 2010 I ended up selling 10 homes that year.

My business built year over year after that. My wife, Natalie, and I bought our first house in 2011. We were able to accrue enough equity to start investing in real estate in the area and worked on homes from San Bruno, to Redwood City, to East Palo Alto. Then, in 2015 I had the opportunity (or better yet fought for the opportunity) to join Dwell Realtors in San Carlos. Working alongside some of the best agents in the business has taught me so much and motivated me to do more in my business.

This past year I received the Realtor of the Year Award for 2016 from Dwell Realtors. I’m so grateful to all of my clients. I really wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you. Working with you to sell or buy a house, and see you make it into a home, is the most rewarding thing I could do.

I’m excited to celebrate ten years in real estate and am looking forward to the next ten. Thank you to my colleagues, friends & family — you inspire me everyday. I appreciate all of your support over the last ten years. Thank you!