This Milestone Means More Than Just a Number

Jun 2

Photographt credit to Heather Lewis Photography

When you're self-employed, there’s no one handing out gold stars or popping champagne for you—so when you hit a milestone, you have to pause and celebrate it for yourself. Today, I’m doing just that.

Since my very first closing in August 2018, I’ve had the absolute privilege of helping 200 families buy or sell a home. Two hundred. That number represents years of hustle, late nights, early mornings, and learning through every twist and turn that real estate has to offer. It represents the trust of 106 buyers, 94 sellers, and the incredible journey that brought us to each and every one of those closings.

I still remember my very first sale like it was yesterday. I was working alongside my former business partner, and it came through a referral from a lender we trusted. We were working with sweet, excited first-time home buyers who were placing their hopes and dreams into the biggest investment of their lives. I was nervous, I was new—but I was all in. That experience lit the fire that’s still burning today.

Fast forward to closing number 200, and the contrast is striking in the best way. These buyers found me through social media—a full-circle moment that reminds me how far I’ve come, how much the industry has evolved, and how powerful building a personal brand truly is. It also reflects the growth of my business into a trusted name for out-of-area agents who need a referral partner in Kitsap County. Being that go-to person for fellow professionals? That’s something I take immense pride in.

None of this happened alone. There are people behind the scenes who make my business possible every single day. To my media partner, Dom,—thank you for helping bring my vision to life through video, photos, and creative strategy. You’ve been with me since a listing that never even hit the market, and I genuinely can’t imagine doing this without your steady support. To my transaction coordinator, Summer, —you keep everything moving with clarity and confidence. Thanks to you, I no longer have to close deals from my car with a laptop balanced on the center console.

And to every client who said yes to working with me—to every person who referred a friend, shared a post, or cheered me on from the sidelines—thank you. Your belief in me is the reason I get to do this work I love. You’ve helped me build something real, something rooted in service, and something I’m truly proud of.

Real estate isn’t easy, but it’s everything I ever wanted: a career that allows me to lead with heart, show up authentically, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I burned the boats early on and never looked back.

What’s next? Growth. There are some exciting homes under contract, plans in motion, and goals I can’t wait to chase down. But today, I’m pausing to look back—and to say thank you.

Here’s to the first 200, and to all the doors still waiting to be opened.

Your Hometown REALTOR® in Kitsap County,
Rachel