I’ve seen what people are capable of on their worst day and it changed what I wanted from mine. This is the story of how I found direction in life.

I was sitting across from a friend who was a real estate agent. He’d just closed a deal. I watched the satisfaction on his face as he talked about helping a family find their home. I wanted that feeling—the sense of purpose, the freedom to be my own boss, but also the challenge of time management and earning a living through a commission-based career. I wanted to build something for myself, connect with people, and help them.

However, real estate was far from what I had envisioned for myself when I grew up in Maine, a place of rugged beauty but limited opportunity. After high school, I was lost. College didn’t feel right, and I knew if I stayed in Maine, I’d be stuck. I needed direction, so I joined the military. The discipline, the structure, the sense of responsibility, it was exactly what I needed. The military taught me the mindset to get the job done, period. No excuses.

I served in the military for nearly seven years before working in state corrections. Working inside a prison was eye-opening, to say the least. I saw the darkness people are capable of, but also their resilience. I moved into internal investigations, digging into crimes committed inside the prison. It was intense, sometimes depressing, but it taught me about the consequences of choices and the importance of being on the right side of the door. That experience built my character in ways I’m still discovering.

I knew I didn’t want to stay there forever; witnessing all those crimes was weighing on me. I transitioned into the automobile industry working as an automobile service advisor for seven and a half years and then moved into vehicle maintenance contracts. Each job had its own set of challenges, and I was still searching for a sense of direction: something where I could serve people, but the job also served me.

As a service advisor, I worked long, grueling hours, selling services to people who just wanted their cars fixed. It paid the bills, but it wasn’t fulfilling. I kept searching for something more.

Eventually, a friend introduced me to real estate, and suddenly, all the pieces started to fit. My goal was clear: build a business where I could work for myself, help people, and create real connections.

The transition wasn’t easy. I was nervous, unsure, and the friend who brought me into the business didn’t stick around to help. So I dove into classes, earning seven or eight designations, determined to learn everything I could. Every moment of doubt forced me to strengthen my conviction and keep moving forward. The uniform changed. The commitment didn’t.

Along the way, I built a life outside of work, too. I met my wife, Traci, in Roanoke, Texas, and together we blended our families with my two daughters, Shelby and Zoe, and her two children, Zach and Heather. Family remains at the heart of everything I do.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside on my four acres, mowing the grass, fixing things, and keeping the property in shape. There’s something deeply satisfying about caring for the land and seeing the results of hard work. I also love hitting the gym five days a week if I can swing it. It’s my way of staying grounded, focused, and healthy.

Looking back, I’ve learned that life is about showing up, doing the work, and finding meaning in the connections we make. My journey has been driven by the desire to find direction and fulfillment. Today, I believe I’ve found both. My career has always been centered on serving people. The values I learned through military service, including responsibility, preparation, and follow-through, continue to guide how I build trust, solve problems, and help clients achieve one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.