What looked like detours turned out to be design. I built a life I love by listening deeply and choosing deliberately.

 

There’s a cultural script many of us inherit: Climb the ladder, collect titles, earn the paycheck. I followed that script. And for a while, it worked.

 

By my late twenties, I was managing hundreds of employees across multiple states for Target. I was promoted quickly, mentored others, and checked every box for success. Later, I was recruited to Nike—a brand that seemed to represent achievement at its highest level.

 

But somewhere along the way, the script stopped making sense.

 

The pressure mounted, the hours blurred, and the purpose faded. I was working 70 hours a week and beginning to understand the difference between achievement and alignment. I craved space to be human—not just productive. I wanted a life where connection and meaning weren’t squeezed into weekends.

 

So I stepped off the track. Becoming a flight attendant wasn’t a fallback—it was a pivot. A chance to rebuild my life around values: freedom, curiosity, and presence. It allowed me to reconnect with something that had always brought me joy: travel. In my thirties, I explored the world—from South America and Asia to three unforgettable safaris in Africa. Each one deepened my love of nature, animals, and the quiet awe that comes from witnessing something wild and unfiltered.

 

That decision to fly also brought me to Virginia, where I bought my first home, met Eric, and eventually became a mom. Together, Eric and I have built a life grounded in values and full of gratitude. Raising our daughter Kaia has been our greatest adventure of all. She’s 16 now—curious, kind, and creative—and we couldn’t be prouder of the person she’s becoming.

 

At home, that love is reflected in our daily life. Our household includes a sweet dog, two guinea pigs, and a rotating crew of beloved animals. It’s a little chaotic, sure—but it’s full of life.

 

Years later, another door opened. A close friend suggested I consider real estate. At first, I dismissed the idea. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. My background in leadership, hospitality, and crisis management all translated beautifully. Most of all, I understood what a home really means.

 

Today, I guide people through some of life’s most significant transitions. I bring both experience and empathy—because I’ve made bold choices, faced uncertainty, and come out stronger. Real estate isn’t just about the deal; it’s about helping people move forward with clarity and confidence as the move on to their next chapter.

 

When you align what you’re good at with what the world needs—and what brings you peace—you don’t just find a job. You create a life

 

My approach to real estate combines the rigor of a systems thinker with the heart of a guide.

 

I draw on decades of leadership experience, flight training precision, and personal reinvention to serve clients with empathy, strategy, and excellence. Whether you're detail-oriented or big-picture focused, I tailor the experience to how you think and move.

 

I stay on top of market dynamics, structure winning offers, and manage the process with care. But what clients remember most is how I made them feel: seen, supported, and confident in every step.

 

I don’t believe in transactional business. I believe in transformational service—where people feel empowered, not pressured. Where every decision is clear. And where what really matters—your goals, your timing, your comfort—is always at the center.

 

This is more than a job. It’s the work I was meant to do.

 

Sincerely,

 

  

 

Gaylie Corens