There comes a point in almost every career when you realize that what worked for you before may not be what you need going forward.
After several years with the same brokerage, I recently made the decision to move to Compass Newport Beach. It wasn’t a decision I made quickly, and it wasn’t simply about changing companies. I was looking for something very specific.
I wanted to be more connected.
Real estate can be an incredibly independent business. We work with our own clients, manage our own transactions and, in many ways, build our own businesses. I value that independence. It’s one of the things I enjoy about this profession. But I’ve also learned that being independent doesn’t have to mean working alone.
At this point in my career, I wanted an office I would enjoy walking into every day. I wanted to be around other successful agents, exchange ideas, continue learning and have experienced leadership nearby when a transaction becomes complicated. I wanted an environment that would encourage me to become better at what I already do.
That is what ultimately led me to Compass Newport Beach.
Making a change after you’ve become comfortable somewhere isn’t always easy. There is something reassuring about knowing the people, the systems and the way everything works. Starting somewhere new means giving some of that up.
But comfortable and right are not always the same thing.
I’m grateful for the years I spent with my previous broker and for the people and experiences that were part of that chapter. I learned a great deal, built my business and represented clients through transactions that challenged me and made me a better agent.
I also learned more about what I need to do my best work.
I still want the independence to run my business in a way that feels like my own. But I also want collaboration, accessibility and the opportunity to keep growing. I don’t believe experience means there is nothing left to learn. If anything, experience gives you a better understanding of what you still want to improve.
Sometimes moving forward means recognizing when you are ready for something different.
