My most interesting job before going into real estate was as a 1st grade public school teacher in Cobb County. Later, I worked as a hospital-school teacher at both Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta campuses. The program was designed for children who were too sick to continue with in-person schooling due to cancer.

I worked at the inpatient school program at the Egleston location and then opened up the school program in the outpatient facilities at the Scottish Rite location. It was a very lateral move, and I was proud to be a part of such an important task. Although the job was deeply rewarding, it was also incredibly difficult. Many of the children I worked with were undergoing cancer treatments, and a great number of my students became too sick to continue, or worse. When my husband and I started preparing for our newborn, I realized that the emotional toll my job took was a detriment to my health in pregnancy. I regrettably had to resign.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up right here in Marietta in the East Cobb District.

Growing up, what did you want to be?

I grew up with the aspiration of becoming a teacher. I come from a long line of professors and teachers, which inspired me to pursue the same career. My father, however, was a builder, which inspired my current career path. He was a “boots on the ground” kind of man who worked with his hands. This greatly instilled my other passion for homes and construction.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?

Our family vacation spot is our condo in the Florida Panhandle. If I ever need a quick getaway to recharge, I’ll head down with my hubby and two pups and, of course, my laptop. While I’m there, I ditch the remote and walk the dogs along the bay, lounge by the beach or on our balcony with a good book or book on tape if I have my favorite drink in hand.

If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?

Funnily enough, I’d have to say Martha Stewart. Although she has received criticism in the past, I have always admired her ability to constantly reinvent herself, embrace her imperfections and face adversity with humility. As the first woman to become a self-proclaimed billionaire, she paved the way for countless other female entrepreneurs. I would love nothing more than to pick her brain over a glass of wine!

What is Atlanta’s best-kept secret?

My favorite spot would have to be The Chattahoochee Coffee Company. It’s a private community coffee shop overlooking the Chattahoochee River and just across the way from the bamboo forest. It’s always so peaceful, and a great spot to stop at for slow mornings or after a walk in nature.

What do you love most about the industry?

The same thing that I hate about it — it never sleeps!

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?

My husband, Sherwin, and I started our luxury custom home business, Loudermilk Homes, in 2009, and I have held my Georgia real estate license since 2005. Since then, I have also created a sister design company, Loudermilk Designs, and most recently, our real estate business, The Loudermilk Group, which services Georgia and North Carolina under Keller Williams.

For almost 20 years, I have completely immersed myself in the world of real estate and home construction. My knowledge of the two has been integral to every aspect of my businesses. I can aid my clients holistically, because I am able to guide them with a wider cast of knowledge of the home building/design industry. As agents, we must know the quality, value, and livelihood that listings can bring to our clients.

At Loudermilk Designs, my amazing team of ladies who also are team members of The Loudermilk Group and I have a saying: Design it like it’s yours. In real estate, it’s the same thing. It’s a motto that my career lives by, and it means that every conversation, listing and deal is handled with the utmost care, as if we were handling the transaction for our own behalf.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Again, it never sleeps!

What’s your best advice for generating new leads?

The trick that’s always worked for me is to tap into your circle of influence. Clients come to me because they know that I am authentic and have their best interest at heart. At the start of my real estate career, I had no intentions of making any money. I was more interested in helping others in my life. I didn’t even charge commission until my husband eventually convinced me to charge at least half for my services.

In time, those whom I had helped began referring me to their friends and family. My business was truly built on word of mouth, which only happens if you prioritize grit, transparency, and service — never greed. I never compromised my ethics just to close and my fellow women agents at The Loudermilk Group beat to the same drum.

What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately?

I can’t stop watching the Netflix show Grace and Frankie!

What’s your favorite meal in Atlanta?

I love a good salmon dish, and the best ones I’ve had have been the salmon salad at Storico Fresco or the salmon meal at my family’s favorite spot, Kabob Land.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Atlanta?

I’d have to say that my favorite building in Atlanta is the Fox Theatre. It’s where my husband and I got married in 1999. When we were picking our venue, I instantly fell in love with the intricate decorative trim, the blend of Art déco and Moorish revival, and the timeless designs of the Egyptian Ballroom, where we had our reception.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?

After I got my license, my husband and I began flipping homes in our spare time. We found a promising plot of land up in the North Georgia mountains, where we were working on building a development of cabins. The plan was for my husband to build the homes, and I would furnish them, get them on the rental market, and push the sales. Our daughter, Mina, was only two years old, and we always made a point of bringing her along on our errands. We wanted her to see what a healthy work ethic looked like, and also, a babysitter was definitely not in the budget!

I was looking at some plans on the hood of our car outside the property when suddenly a large black bear started coming from the direction of the cabin. We made eye contact for a second, and then it continued to walk on, as if nothing had happened. My first instinct was to grab Mina, who was in the backseat, as if the bear would somehow open the locked car door, unbuckle her car seat, and carry her off into the woods. Mina, however, was happily watching Blue’s Clues on a portable DVD player.

It took no time at all to realize that the bear had actually come from inside the cabin. I went in to see what had happened, and the first thing I noticed was that the place smelled awful. I soon discovered, clear as day in the upstairs loft that the bear had used it as a restroom! The bear had broken in, searched for food, and when it came up short, it decided to use the upstairs as a personal porta-potty. My family and I still laugh about it to this day!

What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?

Growing up in my early primary years, I competed as an amateur roller skater!

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

My favorite vacation spot and trip I’ve ever taken is a small island called Mallorca off the coast of Spain. With the help of my mom and daughter, my husband and I were able to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary there, and we had no clue where we’d be going until we got to the airport on Thanksgiving Day! They organized everything from the flights to the excursions, and then gave my husband and I a scratch-off passport, which revealed our destination when we stepped out of the cab at the airport. All we knew beforehand was the weather and the clothes we should pack! It was definitely one of the most exciting trips I’ve ever taken.

What is your favorite city after Atlanta?

Hoboken, New Jersey

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?

Friends and family.