Member Directory

Every challenge, every reinvention, pushed me to be creative and find ways to continue forward. Opportunities are always there, waiting to be seized—you just need the courage to take them.

In 2022, I made a decision—no more waiting, no more second-guessing. I was going all in on real estate. I earned my license in 2018 but wasn’t ready for the instability, as I had three kids to provide for. But in 2022, it was time to invest in myself and create something that would have a true impact. 

Looking back, it’s no surprise I ended up here. No matter where life took me, I always found a way to create something from nothing. That drive started years earlier when I first moved to the U.S. I left the Dominican Republic at 16 for Puerto Rico, but when I became a mother, I knew I needed more. Boston promised a better future for my kids, so I took the leap, even though I didn’t speak a word of English. That first year was brutal. Simple things, like grocery shopping or asking for directions, felt impossible. But failure wasn’t an option.

I found work at a bilingual after-school program, helping Spanish-speaking parents and tutoring kids. Over time, my responsibilities expanded—I took on office work, helped with payments, and eventually was asked to set up a computer lab and plan and teach lessons. When I realized how much my role had grown, I asked for a raise. My boss told me no—because my English wasn’t good enough.

That moment changed everything. No one would ever use language as a reason to hold me back again. I immersed myself in learning, taking intensive English courses through a church program. No more Spanish music or TV—only English, all day, every day. That persistence led to an associate degree in office administration, and then a stable nonprofit job. From there, I transitioned into social work, helping evaluate caregiver support for families. I loved working with people, listening to their stories, and helping them navigate challenges. Making a difference in their lives gave me purpose.

A trip to the Redwoods introduced me to Portland, where I fell in love with the relaxed pace, kind people, and beautiful forests and coastline was a stark contrast to the East Coast. A few months later, we packed up and moved.

Starting over again meant finding new ways to support my family. I spent time volunteering at my church, which led to an unexpected opportunity—face painting. I had never painted before this but discovered an unknown talent. I quickly turned into a business, but as much as I enjoyed it, it was only seasonal. For a while I helped run an auto repair shop, turning the business around by managing payroll, handling customers, and streamlining operations. But I knew this was still not the right fit for me.

My life then changed in an unimaginable way. My son Kevin passed away, and I needed time to step back from life and grieve. During COVID, I was able to heal by spending quality time with my daughters and reevaluating how I was going to move forward. My goal became centered around making the most of my life and finding a way to do what I love most: helping people.

Real estate became my way to do that. Buying or selling a home is such a huge milestone in someone’s life, and being able to guide people through that process with confidence and care is something I take pride in. In 2022, I committed fully to real estate and helped more people buy and sell than ever before. And the following year, I helped even more people! Through it all, I’ve learned that success doesn’t come by chance—it requires persistence, building meaningful relationships, and showing up every single day. Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise, and I intend to make the most of everyone that comes my way.

Real estate has become more than just a career—it’s a way for me to connect with people, help them navigate a major milestone, and make a real impact in their lives. Looking back, everything I’ve done has shaped the way I approach real estate. Working in social work and volunteering developed my passion for serving others. Running an auto shop taught me time management, organization, and customer service. Managing employees gave me experience in leadership and problem-solving. Even my work in face painting, as different as it seems, taught me how to engage with people, understand their needs, and deliver a great experience.

Time and time again, I hear stories about agents who don’t answer calls, rush transactions, or focus more on closing the deal than on their clients' needs. That’s never been how I operate. I take the time to understand what’s important to my clients and make sure they feel heard, valued, and supported every step of the way. This is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, so it is important to have a trusted professional on your side to guide you. Even after the transaction is over, I remain a lifelong real estate resource ready to help with anything you may need!

Sincerely,

Liz Marshall