Hey there, fellow flippers, financial aficionados and real estate investors! It's Ace Marie here, and I'm super excited to share a bit of my journey with you. I hope it leaves you inspired and ready to hit the ground running!

I am of Filipina descent and was raised in the Sutherland Shire, Australia. I eventually moved to California to attend college, and now I’m now happily settled in Virginia Beach, where I feel I’ve found my groove and my people.

But I haven’t always been so settled. My life has been a whirlwind of unexpected twists and turns. From dancing my heart out throughout my younger years, to battling breast cancer as a new mom, to navigating the tough complexities of the financial and real estate worlds, to a painful period of personal transition that led to a new chapter of life, I've learned a thing or two about resilience, creativity, courage, and the power of connections.

Let's first be honest, straddling three cultures (Filipino, Australian/English & American English) can be challenging. Growing up, I often felt the weight of family expectations, particularly the pressure to follow in my mother's footsteps as a nurse. While nursing is an incredibly honorable profession, my heart yearned for something more – something that would allow me to build a life of financial freedom and break the mold of traditional expectations. And I was getting pressure from both sides…did I mention that my dad was a crack pilot? Dad also wanted me to fly planes, and while that sounded absolutely amazing (“Ace” pilot, anyone?)... I had my sights set on flying high in a different way.

I wanted to dance and be free, both in my soul and in my bank account! And I wanted to help others, but on a broader scale than taking pulses and assisting patients. I wanted to take care of my family, build generational wealth, teach people how to grow their money, and help them in building their dreams. My dreams were still sky high, but I didn’t want to make them come true at 30,000 feet, I wanted to make them come true with my boots on the ground, and running. I wanted to build wealth, and make a name for myself in the worlds of business and real estate.

Fast forward to today, and I'm fortunate to be part of the incredible team at Thompson Law Group, where I'm passionate about redefining title sales. It's so much more than just paperwork to me; it's about building meaningful relationships, fostering collaboration, and bringing a touch of artistry to every deal that comes across my desk.

My journey into becoming the independent woman I am today began during my marriage to my ex husband - a Navy SEAL, which provided a whirlwind of awakening experiences that contributed to my personal growth. Our time together brought me two beautiful children, and showed me my own strength, through the constant challenges we faced. I have immense respect for the SEALs, and all they do, but I wanted to forge my own unique path and make a name for myself, while also putting our children first.

My own mother was an early role model for me in terms of this. She also broke free of a lot of cultural brainwashing. My parents did their best, but let me tell you, Filipino kids just don’t come first. It can be a beautiful culture, but there is a lot of inherent machismo, religious dogma and chauvinism baked into the mix.

But I watched my mom strike out on her own, as a nurse, and break free from my dads rigidity and rules. Seeing my own mother do it, I knew inside that I could follow suit and pursue my own goals. I was determined to focus on my kids and own dreams.

In the midst of all this fighting for myself, came an even scarier battle, Breast Cancer. Diagnosed shortly after giving birth to my second child, Ella, at 31, I felt a mix of fear and disbelief. But I chose to face it head-on, sharing my journey openly on social media – bald head, wigs, and all. Vulnerability can be incredibly powerful. My goal is to build trust and foster genuine connection, by being and keeping it real, 24/7. And let me tell you, when you’re given a serious health challenge, you learn to keep it real, real fast.

As you can imagine, navigating a period of personal transition while battling the realities of cancer was a powerful and significant test of resilience. The experiences I had provided an unexpected lesson in grit. If I could survive all that, I could conquer anything. The whole experience ignited a fire within me – a fierce determination to stand up for myself and embrace my own inextinguishable power.

Through it all, my children, Roman and Ella, have been my unwavering source of strength and inspiration. Seeing their bright eyes and knowing that I'm building a better future for them fuels my every endeavor. They are my "why."

I've learned that grit and grace are not mutually exclusive. You can be tough as nails and still possess a gentle heart. You can overcome immense challenges and still find joy in the everyday.

My goal today is to inspire you, to empower you to chase your dreams, and to remind you that your story, however unique, is valuable. Whether you're a seasoned investor, a budding agent, knee deep in closings, or simply someone looking to build a better future and forge powerful connections, remember that you are capable of achieving incredible things. I especially want to inspire other women and single mothers to know that if I can do it, YOU can do it.

To quote author and investor Eugene Bell Jr., “Life is short, and I want you to aspire to inspire before you expire.” This is a philosophy that guides my life, and I hope, yours also.

Embrace your journey, embrace your authenticity, and never stop believing in yourself.

P.S. A huge shout-out to my friend and mentor, Dustin Olverson, for his unwavering support. His expertise in the real estate space has been invaluable, and his belief in me has been an incredible source of inspiration.

GRID is a fantastic place to keep it real, stay humble, and learn teamwork. I’m blessed to be a part of it.

I'm so excited to connect with you all and learn from your experiences as well. Let's build something amazing together!

With admiration,

Ace Marie