What happens when life throws you an unexpected curveball? Mary Ann Morales, a seasoned real estate agent, knows a thing or two about facing adversity. After surviving a near-death experience and dealing with her second child's severe diagnosis, her tenacity and resolve were only strengthened. This transformative chapter in her life spurred her to prioritize family over her budding career and led her to the world of real estate - a field she has been passionately pursuing for over two decades.
Mary Ann's journey is not just about overcoming personal challenges, but also about integrating these experiences into her professional life. Listen to her touching anecdotes about how sharing her struggles with clients has transformed her professional relationships and how her faith journey, helped her navigate through life's ups and downs. Mary Ann's story is an inspiring testament to resilience and the power of community, underpinned by her principle of treating others as she would wish to be treated. Tune in to be moved and motivated by her stirring story.
Thanks for listening!
Click here to take the LeaderImpact Assessment and to receive the first chapter of Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas.
Remember, impact starts with you!
What happens when life throws you an unexpected curveball? Mary Ann Morales, a seasoned real estate agent, knows a thing or two about facing adversity. After surviving a near-death experience and dealing with her second child's severe diagnosis, her tenacity and resolve were only strengthened. This transformative chapter in her life spurred her to prioritize family over her budding career and led her to the world of real estate - a field she has been passionately pursuing for over two decades.
Mary Ann's journey is not just about overcoming personal challenges, but also about integrating these experiences into her professional life. Listen to her touching anecdotes about how sharing her struggles with clients has transformed her professional relationships and how her faith journey, helped her navigate through life's ups and downs. Mary Ann's story is an inspiring testament to resilience and the power of community, underpinned by her principle of treating others as she would wish to be treated. Tune in to be moved and motivated by her stirring story.
Thanks for listening!
Click here to take the LeaderImpact Assessment and to receive the first chapter of Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas.
Remember, impact starts with you!
Welcome to the Leader Impact Podcast. We are a community of leaders with a network in over 350 cities around the world dedicated to optimizing our personal, professional and spiritual lives to have impact. This show is where we have a chance to listen and engage with leaders who are living this out. We love talking with leaders, so if you have any questions, comments or suggestions to make the show even better, please let us know. The best way to stay connected in Canada is through our newsletter at LeaderImpactca or on social media at LeaderImpact. If you're listening from outside of Canada anywhere in the world, check out our website at LeaderImpactcom. I'm your host, lisa Peters, and our guest today is Mary Ann Morales.
Speaker 2:Raised by a single mother who is successful in real estate, mary Ann saw first hand the joy and hope real estate purchased brought to people. Graduating with a business admin degree with a year in the master's program at the University of Maryland, she started her sales career at Xerox Canada, where she attributes her discipline and consultive approach she applies naturally every single day. She was fortunate to have mentors at different points in her career. One of them was the first woman president at Xerox Canada, diane McGary, who said be true to yourself and where you want to go. After having her first baby at age 31, going into real estate became a natural decision. She wanted a balanced life and be the mother she was called to be. Another mentor gave her the wise advice and told her always remember your why. It's been 20 plus years for Mary Ann in real estate and she is thankful she's still excited as the day she signed her first deal. She loves seeing the sparks in people's eyes when they sign their agreement of purchase and sale. For Mary Ann, it is all about relationships. It is about waking up every day, thinking how she can contribute to people's lives, how she can bring value and joy to someone and how she can invest her time with today.
Speaker 2:Thanks for joining us, mary Ann, my pleasure. Thank you so much. It is nice to meet you. A few months ago, I think, we interviewed your husband, who then I actually had an opportunity to meet at a global summit, and he's lovely and he just he gushes about you. So it is nice to put a face to you. So we're going to begin. We've been having great success with asking some basic questions, and they're not basic at all, it's just really diving deep about pivotal turning points in your life, principles of success and really talking about how those mistakes and failures can really be successes. So, are you ready, are you?
Speaker 1:ready All right.
Speaker 2:So we're obviously looking for a bit of your professional story and how you got to where you are today. So can you give us a couple of snapshots that were pivotal turning points along your journey?
Speaker 1:Two pivotal turning points. First was actually when because I'm a person who was very disciplined I was just part of my training. Everything is written out my goals, five years, short term, everything day to day. Anyway, I had my first baby kind of early and I was on my way and I just finished closing a deal with some micro systems. At that time it was the biggest deal we've ever landed and of course, I cannot miss congratulating everybody. And I had to be there it's just me. So I decided to leave my baby with the nanny. You know, I think the baby is only three months, three weeks old, but I never made it downtown. I was in a really bad car accident and I was almost killed, really. And that's when it's pivotal, because I just thought my baby would not have remembered me had I died then and my life would have meant nothing to nobody, because up to that point it was just all about success, getting that president's club and being awarded acknowledge and all that stuff. So, right, there is when I thought what is important in life? And to me it was more about family. I want to be the mother, right? The second turning point was, and that's when I thought, okay, enough of corporate world and I resigned, to everyone's total surprise, because I was up for a promotion. But I said no, I'm a mother, that's number one. And then it got tested again Another pivotal turn.
Speaker 1:I was very successful in real estate. In three years time or five years time I joined RIMAC's Rio Tron but the best office there is in Toronto, right on Rio Lodale. There I got the most coveted award it was the platinum award and but right the next day I got in my hands the diagnosis for my second child and it's to say that he has severe developmental delay. He is in the spectrum and otherwise not otherwise specified, so it's just severe delay. So to me, having this award and then having a job where everything is uncertain, he might not talk at all or he might not have a future, I don't know my world crashed, and so then I thought I guess I can't have career and family at the same time. I really have to give up one.
Speaker 1:But I was true to myself and I shared my pain with everybody, and from there I was so surprised that people actually even connected with me more. I wasn't the agent driving a Mercedes Benz ready to sign a deal. I was someone like them and, as I was sharing across the table, that this is my priority now things have changed. They knew the pain. There was a special connection, but they took care of me when I needed the caring. So to me that was so pivotal that we don't live by ourselves alone. We live in a community and we are not to be alone really. So from there it became like sales, became a way of life. It's like me just helping people and people helping me in return. And yeah, it become more. Yeah, the pain that was supposed to be. Or I remember my mom saying when life throws you a lemon, it's time to make a lemonade. And I need to go to therapies and whatnot. But that's where I met people.
Speaker 1:And they love me as I had me.
Speaker 2:Wow, those are amazing, pivotal moments and I thank you for sharing those because as women, we number one doing what's right. We think we can't have and when I say we can't have it all, what? Having it all means different for everybody, and having it all meant I wanna be a mother, I wanna be a real estate, I wanna be a great wife. I got that's my all and I wanna believe that. And you made that decision. I love that. Just doing what's right for you at the time and then sharing your pain with people. That's a really hard thing for women because we don't wanna be seen as weak, right, right. I wanna be seen as the woman driving the Mercedes making the sales. I'm not sharing that health problems or my marriage is falling apart or my best friend has cancer it's how important that is and the success that came from that.
Speaker 1:and sharing Because I remember well, like going back corporate world at Zeras. I was working with the JFKs the tall, handsome, good looking and all that. And here I am, short, oriental, I don't even know what. I am Asian, oriental and I need to show them and prove to them that I am good and I make good business decisions. I'm tough, I'm not emotional, nothing faces me. I had to be that. But then, moving on in with things that happened, that came my way. It was like you know what? Life is too short, I could die and nobody's in charge but me. I have to be true to myself and I have to know what's important, my priorities.
Speaker 2:And, like Mary Ann, that's brilliant. I love it. Thank you for sharing that. Our second question is give us your best principle of success and tell us a story that illustrates this.
Speaker 1:Okay, it's very basic for me. It's just due to others. What do you want others to do to you? Just the golden rule and I've learned this along the way, even when I was young and through the different trainings and seminars that I've been through. It's just that I want to be treated the way I would like to treat other people, the way I want to be treated, with respect and sincerity. And an example of this was because I know life will throw things your way and you would appreciate someone walking beside you.
Speaker 1:So I was referred to someone who just lost a husband and was left with three young kids. She was looking to sell her house and buy a new one, but being a consultant by training, I don't just ask how many bedrooms you want, but I asked her why are you selling? And of course she was puzzled, thinking well, did you know my husband passed away? I'm like no, but I really do want to know Money assigned. Where do you want to move? What is the most ideal for you? I need to know the why, otherwise we're just going to be wasting our time. And then that's when she told me that. That's when she told me that if it was up to her, then she would like to keep her kids in the same private school that they go to. I said, oh, which one? Because she said I need to look somewhere close to that area. If that's what she wants, right. And she said a withfield Christian school or academy, and I'm like that's where my kid goes to. And then she started crying and she said she was praying for a Christian realtor Of course I don't go around saying I'm a Christian realtor, but you know and she started crying. She said the husband used to look after everything for her and she's just overwhelmed. She doesn't know where to start, and you know.
Speaker 1:So, anyway, what I did was I sat down with her, I spent some time, I looked at everything I might show me and towards the end I recommended what I recommended was contradictory to what I was doing. I told her enough to sell. I recommended that she stays put. You know, look after the kids first, put things into order, set up a plan at least for one year, and then I will come back and revisit. So they tell plan, how much does it cost you to stay in this house and everything else? Look, you have enough money for now. Look after the kids this and that. So she was so, so happy and of course that proved to be so rewarding for me. She has been a source of referrals for me at the time, especially that I was attending to my youngest son. You know I have to attend to him and therefore less time in real estate, but she kept sending me business year over year. So to me I'm like, you know, what goes around comes around, and I have been so blessed.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I don't think. Sometimes we feel that well, maybe some people don't, when you're helping someone in the moment and you lost that sale that day, but you gain 10 fold In the moment.
Speaker 1:We In a moment I was like what did I do?
Speaker 2:I said don't sell, stay. This is what I would do, right, like that's how you felt is. I'm sure she was overwhelmed and that was just another thing to put on her plate. So slow down. Oh yeah, great story. I can only imagine this next question because your stories have been so good. But we learn more from our failures and mistakes than our successes, and I think we all know that. Would you share one of your greatest failures or mistakes and what you learned from it?
Speaker 1:I have so many stories, so many failures, lisa, but the one thing that is One thing that I'd like to share and haven't shared to much people. The family knew about it. One of the failures we've experienced is losing our house. I was forced to sell our own house and then rent for a few years. That was very Well. It is very humbling because, after all, I'm a realtor and I tell people if you're renting, you're paying someone's mortgage. And then I was. I'm signing a lease contract.
Speaker 1:But looking back from that failure failure because there was a number of things that happened during that time and there was a reason for it During that time I actually I became more creative. I then have a need, like I have this burning desire. I need to get back on track. I can't be a realtor and not have my own property. So what happened was I did all I can to learn about leveraging money, about investing, about pre-construction, but I do.
Speaker 1:I only recommend things, opportunities where I truly believe and I'm also invested in Because I've gone through what I've gone through. I think it added more credibility when I talk about something and when I recommend and I say this is what I've done and this is what happened. I bought, I sold and really real estate is all about. It helps in the financial independence of people and helps them in having a really bit of security. So, yeah, so from there I see that failures made me more, like I said, made me more credible, but at the same time, after just a few years, I was able to make all the money that we've lost and also all the red. I recuperate all the red that we've paid and even more, and I was able to even get the house that we've always wanted, in the right neighborhood too. And, of course, all praise to God, but yeah.
Speaker 2:It is so hard to step back, I think, and give up the house and the rent in your case. In that instance, where did you turn to? And I just, like my mind goes, what were the steps you took? Who do you talk to? Did you surround yourself with people that were knowledgeable, or did you just do it all yourself, because we're women and we do it ourselves?
Speaker 1:How did you do it? First I turned to God because when you kind of hit bottom right, there's no place else to go and besides, you can't go to your neighbor right away and tell them what happened. But also I surround myself with a few trusted friends that I could really be honest with and I'm secure that I will not be judged and I'm not afraid to show myself my real self. So I have a couple of those and yeah, they said you know, like, like Marianne, you're smart, we trust you and we believe in you, and when it comes to planning, looking up problems and having solutions, I'm good at that. So with that I like, and knowing that you know, and also having a mother who's gone through so many things, she just dusts herself off and start all over again. I knew things are temporary. It's not gonna stay that long.
Speaker 2:So yeah, and I think it's so important to surround yourself with those people, because those people have people right and in a conversation, hey, I know someone I can connect you, you know, so just continue to surround yourself.
Speaker 1:You actually even gave me money to invest.
Speaker 2:Good people. Hey, oh, that's good, all right, so at Leader Impact we want to grow personally, professionally and spiritually, and I know you've mentioned your faith already. We do this for you know, increase impact. Would you be willing to share an example of how the spiritual makes a practical difference in your life as a leader?
Speaker 1:Okay, Well, for me, this is the key to living a life of impact and significance, you know. So the best story yet although all the time I even tell everybody the best is always yet to come but the best story so far for me was during the pandemic, and that's where my faith actually got deeper, because first time in my life, I've got nothing else to do because there was a time we couldn't go out. So I was able to catch up with everything. Everything has been crossed out. Still, we cannot go out, but that was the time that God has called me and I just felt I needed to do something more for him. That life is not just about being successful and getting the awards and, you know, having my goals reach for my kids and all that. There's far more than that. And I didn't know. I didn't know what God wanted me to do, but it was just bugging me Because I hate having, you know, not knowing what I'm supposed to do. So during that time I was reconnected to an old acquaintance of mine who happens to be a pastor, and I just saw him online and his sermon back then was about story about Esther, who was called such. You know, who was called to do something, and the main lesson was that we, that God works in wonderful ways and he has great plans for us, that we have a purpose in his kingdom. And so from there, what happened was I've become consumed in knowing more, in reading the Bible, because my friends is read the Bible and I will pray that you find what you're looking for. I had nothing else to do, so I did that, and I was so surprised that everything that I've learned and paid you know people doing seminars everything was in the Bible. So I got so excited. I got nothing else to share to people except that. So, but what happened was during the pandemic. So mid year, sales picked up, but I was still in my Bible mode. So I'm sharing to my clients everything. So how was pandemic for you and this and that? And then I just shared in my story. That just continued till now.
Speaker 1:Business to care of itself Every time God sent me people my way. My question is God what do you want me to do in this situation? What do I need to uncover for you? Most of the times they have a need, and it's mostly spiritual. So God takes care of everything. First things first again, and but this time it is to do as well, and then he'll take care of everything else. I have a great big Bible study right now of clients turned friends Turned. Like you know, this side disciples as well, just like me. I.
Speaker 2:Love that. I love your. I Think it was maybe six months into COVID, I did some interviews on a local talk show about your COVID bonus. What did you? What are you getting? Because we are stuck at home? What are you doing with it? What are you, what are you learning? What can you do? We all had a lot of time on our hands. You know what are you doing. So your story resonates. It's amazing. You definitely had the best story yet to come and I, you know, I think that's still. That is your life, though, listening to you, I think every day you will find great. The greatness in every day I think that is Mary Ann Morales Like that's what I'm getting is just Something happens in your life. You will, you're gonna keep going and you know the best is yet to come. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I look forward to every day. Really, I see, like I'm, like I, I just see everything as miracles, as gift from God, truly. And Now I'm just more bold to tell people that. And if I think people are not interested, then I hesitate and I'm like not unless you're really interested, then I will tell you, and they will tell me, tell me, I'm like okay, okay, this is the truth. And and then I give back all the glory to God. It's not me, like it's not. Yeah, I'm taking the secret.
Speaker 2:Yeah, when you said gifts from God, they're not always the good right we, we get these gifts, and Right, sometimes they're the diagnosis of something which makes you Turn your life around, or whatever it is it. You think it's bad, but it actually maybe was meant For you to learn something, or yeah, I just I think of things going on in my own life like what I see them as negative or hurtful. But I need to step back and reflect and pray and I'll get to the good side yet.
Speaker 1:I know it will.
Speaker 2:I mean, I understand it now, but I know, I know I know better, so we always ask two final questions of all our guests. I believe you're involved in leader impact, so you know we're dedicated to leaders having a lasting impact. So, as you continue to move through your own journey in life, have you considered what you want your faith legacy to be when you leave this world?
Speaker 1:Yes, well, I want to be. I want to be of influence and encouragement To other people to actually know God and to know him, to know him more, because people search for excellence and happiness that this world cannot give True happiness through. True happiness comes from knowing God, because he is our creator. He has that purpose for us. So we need to go back. We could I mean, I've had successes before, before even knowing God, but through God, he's the only one who could get you Through that breakthrough, right to that real happiness. I've been exposed to many people as well, really rich, wealthy, successful people but they find themselves unhappy or incomplete, but not until they find God. So to me, if I could live my life as a testimony of you know what God can do, you have. You can't live with just personal and and professional. You need to put in that spiritual aspect as well see, you are that influence in light.
Speaker 2:And my final question is what brings you the greatest joy?
Speaker 1:The. My greatest joy right now, um, is really when I share the good news to other people, I share what God is doing in my life, and then when I lead them In, at saying that prayer, admitting that we're all sinners and it's Jesus, accepting Jesus as our personal savior. I've just done that and it never fails. I'm filled with so much joy and I'm like, wow, this is unbelievable, the greatest deal ever. It. Nothing could top it, you know, not even no money. It's priceless. When I've seen the prayer and I asked them to repeat after me and they Say exactly those words, it's, you know, it's so much joy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think um many people are afraid to share their faith. We're afraid to step up and say let me pray for you, or you know, and or some people are offended. Have you ever? Have you ever been in that situation? Because it brings you joy, but to the other person, do you know how it's?
Speaker 1:being. I think it's being willing, I mean being available, just being available and praying to God that, if it's that, whenever the right time is, just Let you know. You can't force it on people, but you will know when it's the right time and the words will come. Because I get asked about that. The same question. I mean you know you can't. Just I can I pray for you? Know, like huh go away. You know we only pray before we eat. You know no, but you will know, when we make ourselves available, we become more, more, more in tune.
Speaker 1:And I have someone recently you had to go out of the country and leave it, but I can't just let her go and I know what she's going through. I can't just let her go without praying for her, not knowing her that much. I just ask her can I pray with you? Because? But I shared with her first what I've gone through and she'd say yes, and then I walked her through. She's again, she's at the bottom, she's got nowhere else to go, she's feeling depressed already and whatnot. And I'm like God is with you at your lowest, at your weakest. He's there. You can ignore it, but he's there. But he'll only answer you if you call on him. And then, and then she, she, she said okay. So then I asked she want me to pray with you? And she said yes, I'm like alrighty. No, I'm never prepared, but but I'm always really. And the words just come out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I Remember the first time so this was 20, 20 years ago and someone had said they asked if they could pray for me and I, okay, it was my first time ever that someone cared enough to just say that, and I wasn't where I am today, so it was very new. Obviously, my language maybe said something that you know I Believed in God. I, you know, at that time I can't say that I was very strong in my faith, but I'm like, okay, and but I think of, if someone cares enough, it's free, it doesn't hurt anyone, you know. So, keep praying on people, keep praying with people. Mary Ann, I want to thank you for joining us. It has been an absolute pleasure, pleasure to sit and talk with you. I can see why Angel just gushes about you and and everyone else does. I just want to thank you. If people want to find you, touch base with you. Maybe you've said something and they're just like, oh, I'd love to speak with her. Where can they find you?
Speaker 1:I am in LinkedIn, so, morales, and even if they Google me, it will come up, but it will be my profession, mary Ann Morales, at your 21, but I'm also with, I'm in LinkedIn and every now and then I'm with Angel bit with Power not power to change, but leave your impact right. Yeah, just just my email, mary Ann Morales at belt. That meant awesome.
Speaker 2:Well, I just want to thank you again for joining us. It has been an absolute pleasure, oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 1:What a pleasure to be interviewed by you, all right, all right.
Speaker 2:Well, if you are part of leader impact, you can always discuss or share this podcast with your group. And if you are not yet part of a leader impact and would like to find out more and grow your leadership, find our podcast page on our website at leader impact dot CA and Check out our free leadership assessment. You will also find on our webpage chapter one of Braden Douglas's book becoming a leader of impact. It is. It is a super awesome book. You can also check out groups available in Canada at leader impact dot CA. Or, if you're listening from anywhere else in the world, check out leader impact calm. Or get in touch with us by email info at leader impact dot CA and we will connect you. And if you like this podcast, please leave us a comment, give us a rating or review. This will help other global leaders find our podcast. Thank you for engaging with us and remember impact starts with you.