Several years ago, a friend suggested I consider a career in the real estate business. That was somewhat frightening to me, since I had always had a "job." When I asked him why he felt I should do it, he said "because you have the personality for it." Here I am, 30+ years later, experiencing the economically good years, as well as weathering the storm of the last eight. Although I began my life in Minnesota, I began my real estate career in California where the State requires a real estate license to conduct mortgage business, so I learned the finance end of the business as well. It's been very helpful. So much so that my now deceased husband and I opened a mortgage brokerage in Colorado in 1994, enjoyed 10 great years, then moved to Western North Carolina.