I am a Realtor with RE/MAX Results in the Twin Cities area and truly enjoy helping others and being a part of a community. Prior to real estate, I was VP of Sales for a local digital media agency. Before being VP, I actively sold a variety of print and digital ads – I had the opportunity to work with and get to know all types of local business owners ranging from local small businesses to large regional businesses. After hitting my 40’s, I decided to follow a passion of mine and went into real estate; I love all things home related, working with people, helping others and it also provides me the flexiblity I need to raise my family.
I am originally from Willmar, MN. After high school, I went on and graduated from U of MN – Twin Cities. Right after college graduation, I moved to Chicago, IL for 3 years and worked in ad agency. I moved back to MN and “re-met” Joe whom I have now been married since 2006.
My husband and I have three amazing kids that are growing up way too fast! All three are very active in sports and with their friends. My husband and I have recently started playing pickleball together as a way of getting to spend some time together. That sport is a blast!
When I’m not busy with my family or work, I enjoy being involved within the community. I was previously a local Girl Scout Troop leader for 4 years and now I’m a member of the Lakeville Optimist Club where I can help serve young children w/in the community. My husband and I have also started making it more of a priority to voluteer together as a family to help build this sense of fulfillment within our children. Recently, our whole family volunteered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace where we made beds for kids that don’t have one. It’s so great to teach our kids to “give back” at an early age so they can build it into who they are as they grow up too.
When the opportunity to host The Faces Of came about, I jumped on it as it is the perfect blend of everything I like to do: work with local business & community members and cheer people on for their accomplishments – big and small! The thought of sharing these stories, especially after the year we’ve all gone through together, could help spread some joy and encouragement amongst others – whether you live in my community or not. The Faces of Lakeville provides me with a sense of fulfillment while giving a little something back to this amazing community and all that live and work here.
1. Q: What community do you represent for The Faces Of?
Lakeville, MN www.thefacesoflakeville.com
2. Q: Please tell us about your family.
My husband Joe and I have been married for nearly 16 years and have three wonderful children together. Our olderst is in High School at Lakeville North and is loving it – she enjoys being on the tennis & golf team and attending other sporting events like football games, school plays, etc. Our second daughter attends Century Middle School and plays hockey & lacrosse and also started tennis this year. Our caboose kiddo, is a kindergartener at Eastview Elementary and is an active 6 year old boy that loves playing every sport. We have been blessed that all three of kids are great students, have good friendships, and are caring individuals. We truly love doing things together as a family. I must not forget Rufus! Our british-red haired lab … He is so full of energy but he does force me to walk every single day! I’m blessed with a pretty wonderful extended family as well; my parents are in Spicer, MN near where I grew up and are the best grandparents anyone could hope for. My brother and sister are both married with their own kiddos – we enjoy being able to get together with them all when we can too. My husband is the youngest of 5 – and unfortunately we lost his mother in late 2020 to Alzheimer’s and we remain close to his brothers and their families.
We are very blessed to have such wonderful families.
3. Q: From where do most of your clients originate?
My real estate clients have come from a variety of places; the three most common places I tend to get business would be from friends & family, open houses and referrals/past clients.
4. Q: What is something unique about your community?
My husband and I lived in Highland Park area of St Paul for 8 years prior to making the migration to the ‘burbs. However, it took me awhile to consider moving to Lakeville as it felt so far away. We used to joke w/ friends that driving to Lakeville was basically like driving to Iowa. But truly, it’s only 20 mins away from BOTH major cities and the freeway access is awesome. I love that Lakeville is still close to everything in the Twin Cities, it’s still “big” yet it still has that very “small town” feel to it – which is how I grew up. And I’d be crazy to not mention the wonderful schools here in Lakeville … the schools is really what drove us down to Lakeville as our family was growing. Everything else has been an added bonus! We also love all the walking and biking trails throughout the city.
5. Q: What are 2-3 of your top 10 favorite movies?
Walk The Line. Legends of the Fall. The Holiday.
6. Q: Who is your favorite college sports team?
The U of MN Golden Gophers of course!
7. Q: What attracted you to The Faces Of project?
With my previous career, I fell in love with small businesses; what they stand for and how hard they work. I know that sometimes it was hard for smaller business to have an ad budget and The Faces Of project would allow me to help support small businesses within my community by promoting their business/services for free. Also, I LOVE networking and meeting with people. The Faces Of has opened the door for me to expand my own network and get to know more people in my community – which I love. It’s also fun to learn more about people at a deeper level – I like knowing more about the folks I’m choosing to work with and/or support. Lastly, this does NOT have to just promote business/services … this site should also just be promoting wonderful individuals. More community advocacy is always a good thing. The world has enough negative stuff going on – so let’s take a few minutes to cheer on the good that is ALWAYS going on around us.
8. Q: Who is the most famous person you have met?
When I was a server at Champps Restaurant downtown Minneapolis during college years, I waited on Alex Rodriguez. Funny thing was, I had no idea at the time who he was. He was in town with The Yankees but he was sitting out that game. The other staff members had to tell me who he was… I was clueless. 😄 During Super Bowl 2018 when it was in Minneapolis, through my previous job, I got to attend one of the pre-game parties and met Candance Cameron – my kids thought I was the coolest as I had my picture taken w/ “DJ” from Fuller House.
9. Q: For our partners in real estate: Have you ever shown a house you believe to be haunted?
Nope. I think that would probably scare me a bit!
10. Q: What are two things or characteristics that you have that have made you successful in your career?
I’m very relationship focused – I do not treat people like a transaction. I’m also very positive/optimistic. The more houses you help sell and buy, you realize that there’s always “something” that could happen. Most aren’t a big deal – but you have to remain positive and sometimes creative to work through it with your clients and other parties to get a deal done sometimes.
11. Q: What makes you happy?
Easy – MY FAMILY! I am very blessed that we do just genuinely enjoy each other. I’d say 6 nights a week, we are able to sit down and eat dinner together – that’s so important to us all. We love traveling together, playing together and just watching movies together.
12. Q: What is the most beautiful place you have been in this world?
I am very blessed that I have been to quite a few wonderful places … I wouldn’t say there’s just one place for me. My time in Paris will always stand out as one of best places I have been – it’s simply magical. I loved Rome as well; the history within that city, the food, the wineries … there’s just so much there! I really love tropical locations too – the rainforest area of Costa Rice, Hawaii beaches. And honestly, after a long hike up a mountain in Colorado and taking in the views is breathtaking. There’s SO much beauty in this world that I want to see it all!
13. Q: What are 2-3 of your favorite books?
I’m really trying to start reading more. But a few that I haven’t forgotten: Gone Girl, Where the Crawdads Sing and The Help.
14. Q: What else should people know about you?
Honestly, I’m a pretty open book. Some might think to a fault as I probably over share from time to time. And I overthink EVERYTHING. Oh man, I hate that I do this so much. I am getting better as I get older. But why!? Why, Do I do this!? ha ha ha. I’ve read so many self-help type books on this too.
15. Q: Who is your favorite pro sports team?
My favorite sport to watch is tennis – I love watching Wimbledon and US Open. In fact, my husband and I were supposed to go to the US Open of August 2020 but due to Covid, this was put on hold. I hope to see some of my all-time favorites before they retire. Federer, Nadel would be top contenders. I’d love to see Serena play. The up and coming Coco Gauff would be great to see – I’d love my HS daughter to see her play too.
16. Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Definitely my kids. I really want to be someone that they look up; someone that puts family first, has great friendships, meaningful relationships, cares for others, volunteers, has faith, work hard at everything you do, makes [mostly] good choices, and just enjoys life.
17. Q: What advice do you want to leave behind?
Just do it. And yes, I do love Nike … but it’s not because of that! Everyday we are faced with choices; sometimes fun ones and other days not so fun ones. Whether it’s small tasks, taking trips, trying something new, or life-changing decisions – sometimes you just gotta do it.
18. Q: If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to play you?
Hmmmm … kind of a tough one. But I guess Cameron Diaz?! I love her movies The Holiday, My Best Friends Wedding and Something About Mary … I like that she’s funny, quirky, nice and cute! Might as well aspire up! Ha ha.
19. Q: The Faces Of has many partners in the US, in Australia, and in Canada. There are a wide variety of us. Some have been in business for a long time. If you wanted to ask a question, or even a few questions, to this group of people, what would you want to know?
What has been the best thing you have ever done to grow your business?
20. Q: If one of our partners has a referral they can send to you for your market, what is the best way to connect with you?
I prefer a phone call or text at 651-894-2466
