My deep love for my children pushed me to reinvent myself—and led me into a career I never expected, but now can’t imagine living without.
I was sitting in my lawyer’s office, having one of those tough, no-way-around-it conversations. My ex-husband and I were finalizing a 14-year marriage, during which I had stayed home raising my children: Julia, Isabella, and Sammy. “You need to find a job,” said my lawyer, looking me straight in the eye. But after 10 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I wasn’t sure what to do.
As a young adult, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. I come from a family of educators—I used to role-play as a teacher just for fun as a kid—so I studied elementary education in college and went on to teach. I loved it; it was incredibly rewarding to play a role in shaping kind, well-rounded adults. I was making a difference—not just in their lives, but in society.
Loving children came naturally, and I always felt called to be a mom. But not just any mom—one who was fully present. Staying home to raise my kids was a dream come true. I invested myself completely in the role of being their mother.
When the divorce came, life took a hard turn. I worried constantly about how it would affect my children. I needed to find a job that paid well and gave me the flexibility to continue being there for them. Unfortunately, teaching couldn’t offer that.
To make things harder, the divorce happened during the 2012 recession. Jobs were scarce, especially flexible ones. I tried different roles in various industries, always chasing that elusive balance between working and being there for my children. But the reality was exhausting—I was constantly juggling work, school pickups, meals, and bedtime routines. I felt like I was running on a hamster wheel.
My body started to react when I developed stress-related health issues. I was grinding so hard I didn’t give myself time to grieve; I pushed all the pain down, and it was taking a toll on my overall health. And somewhere along the way, I had stopped letting Jesus in. I’ve always believed we’re not meant to do life alone. It’s easier—and more graceful—when you partner with God.
I stopped and went back to my faith. I realized I had been trying to carry everything by myself, and it wasn’t working. I asked for help. I also addressed my mindset: the thoughts I’d been telling myself and my lone-wolf mentality. It was hard—but I came out of that season more centered, refocused, and aligned with God.
That’s when real estate entered the picture. It seemed like the perfect solution–a career that could provide income and flexibility. I got my license in 2015 and started with Sotheby’s, where I learned the ins and outs of luxury real estate—a market I still enjoy. Later, I joined Keller Williams, where I received excellent mentorship and deepened my understanding of everything that happens behind the scenes—loans, contracts, timelines. It all clicked.
After Keller Williams I moved to eXp Realty (Feb. 2023) as the cloud-based brokerage model appealed to me and the opportunity to profit from both the stock program and the recruiting platform. Also, eXp has a better expansion opportunity. In addition to working in Michigan, I have a Broker Associate license in Florida, which allows me to be a snowbird and work from both places. It’s a blessing to have that kind of freedom.
Looking back, my greatest accomplishment will always be my children. The obstacles I overcame and all the effort I made to raise them well paid off. They’ve turned out to be incredible human beings. They’re all in early adulthood now, and they’re honestly the coolest people I know.
As I step into this next chapter—becoming an empty nester—I’m excited to explore new things. I have a podcast, Onward and Upward (listen to it on YouTube), where I bring on entrepreneurs who inspire, educate, and encourage my audience. I want to golf, spend time with my friends, and continue growing spiritually. God remains my foundation, and I know we’re not done writing my story.
I treat my clients like family and aim to build lasting friendships rooted in care. It all begins by truly listening—because this is more than a transaction; it’s a personal journey, and I want my clients to feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
My background as an educator makes me a strong communicator. I keep things clear and simple, empowering clients through knowledge and helping them feel confident—not confused. I take a big-picture view of the process, guide them, offer honest advice, and handle challenges proactively to minimize stress. I'm also willing to have honest conversations—the ones that may be uncomfortable but are essential for informed decisions.
Negotiation is one of my strengths. I know how to position offers effectively and have built strong relationships with other local agents, which gives my clients a competitive edge. As a Real Estate Divorce Specialist, I bring compassion and understanding to those navigating major life transitions. I’ve been there myself, and I’m committed to making the process as smooth and empowering as possible.
Sincerely,
Holly Amato
REALTOR®