My parents were real estate investors and I grew in the rental business. I decided to go into the real estate and insurance business as an alternative to practicing law when I finished law school.

Michael Thornton My Wife was already in the business.

After twenty five years in the auto industry it fit and had more flexibility than a 9-5 job!

I spent 22+ years on the corporate side and wanted something that would allow me to work more independently. While I found it, I need to learn to pull back and strike a balance. 

A family tradition , I am third generation , my grandfather was first licensed in 1910 in Washington DC, followed by my father and many siblings & nephew is now fourth generation.

I never went in thinking it was a Service sector job, wasn't looking for that. I have an architectural design and development background so it was a no brainer to get my RE license and things just evolved. I love architecture and I like the selling process, you need people to make the process work.

Good morning Michael. Wasn't much of an option for me, love owning real estate, have always been an active investor.

I initially got in to help my parents with contracts when they went to conferences.  Missed a nice commission check with my first buyer because I couldn't show a property due to a conflicting training appointment.  Had I not had that appointment and gotten the commission check, it may be a different story for me now (probably would have been a part time agent during my IT career).

I've always been a computer guy, so not getting my degrees and entering the IT workforce was never a thought.  Now I get to use my corporate IT experience in real estate, which has been a big success so far.

I wanted a career where I could get out of it, what I put into it. 

Our Agent was so bad in communication I became an Agent to show her how to communicate...

When I was married, my husband and I decided to fix and flip 20 years ago, and thought if I got a license would save us money. 

When I bought I could not believe the poor service.  Thought it would be easy money with excellent service and knowledge...oh my  

I was a financial adviser and when I moved to Kauai several of my clients wanted to invest in real estate here. After making a lot of money for a couple of agents I figured since I was doing all the contracts anyway I may as well get the commissions too!

Seemed like an enjoyable extension to the business.

I wanted to quit the job I had. I found an ad in the classified and went to work as a secretary for a broker.  Two and half years later I owned that real estate company. #truestory

Real Estate offers the income of an Attorney or Doctor without the years of education.