Victoria Stender’s journey into real estate is one of resilience, purpose, and family commitment. Originally a stay-at-home mom, her path shifted when her husband, working in the oil field and flipping homes part-time, wanted to take real estate more seriously. He asked her to step in as their agent to avoid hiring someone else, making the venture a family effort. Little did she know this initial step would spark a passion that would lead her to a thriving career, lasting now for over five years. Here’s how Victoria’s journey unfolded, her challenges and triumphs, and her vision for the future.
Initially, Victoria saw her work in real estate as a way to support her husband’s ambitions while contributing to her family. With a mix of excitement and a desire to help, she took on the task and quickly realized how much she enjoyed the process. This was no longer just about saving money or avoiding extra costs—it became a passion that she wanted to share with others.
“At first, I was doing it just for our family,” she recalls, “but then I thought, ‘Oh, I want to do this for everyone else.’” Her journey into real estate, fueled by a deep commitment to her family, eventually transformed into a rewarding career that she loves.
Overcoming Hurdles as a Mother and Real Estate Professional
Like many working mothers, balancing career and family life has been one of Victoria’s most significant challenges. She describes being a mother as both a joy and a unique obstacle. Her son, now seven, is her priority, and she often struggles with turning off work in order to be present for him. This balance is especially tricky in a demanding field like real estate, where the workday can extend well beyond traditional hours.
While she admits she hasn’t entirely overcome this hurdle, she looks forward to a future where she can dedicate more time to her business. “As he gets older, he probably won’t want to spend as much time with me,” she says with a smile. For now, Victoria practices mindfulness by shutting off her phone when she’s home, allowing her to be fully present with her family.
Her Biggest Accomplishment and Recognition
In a career filled with rewarding moments, Victoria’s proudest achievement has been her feature in an industry article. For her, this recognition was a validation of the hard work she has invested, despite the challenges of balancing motherhood and career. She shared, “It made me feel good that someone recognized I’m trying to be the best I can be for my clients, even with the hurdles of having a young child.” This acknowledgment not only boosted her confidence but also reinforced her commitment to providing excellent service to her clients.
Future Goals and Vision
Looking ahead, Victoria has ambitious plans to expand her real estate business. Her goal is to build a team of agents who will work alongside her, allowing her the flexibility to step back when needed while still delivering high-quality service to clients. “Eventually, I want the business to work for me,” she says. By delegating responsibilities, she hopes to create a structure that offers clients the same level of dedication and care they’d receive from her, all while giving her the freedom to manage her own time.
Finding Inspiration and Giving Back
Victoria’s journey has been driven by a deep sense of purpose. Having grown up in foster care, she encountered many obstacles, including struggling with literacy until the eighth grade. Her background instilled in her a drive to push through adversity and pursue personal and professional growth. After completing both undergraduate and graduate studies, she felt that real estate offered her a meaningful way to make a difference.
Today, her work is not only about finding homes for clients; it’s also about giving back to her community. She volunteers with COHO, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless by providing housing and food. COHO’s approach resonates with Victoria because it emphasizes self-improvement, requiring recipients to volunteer in exchange for assistance. This combination of helping others and challenging them to grow mirrors her own journey of resilience and hard work.
Victoria’s story is one of transformation—from a stay-at-home mom helping her husband (which is already a full-time job!), to a dedicated real estate professional striving to balance family life and career. With each milestone, she’s learned the importance of resilience and staying true to her values. As she builds her business, her vision is to create a legacy that benefits not only her family but her community as well. For Victoria, real estate is more than a job; it’s a way to serve others, inspire her son, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Sabrina Stocker is an Executive Producer at Grit Daily TV and Editor-at-Large at Grit Daily Group. Based in Los Angeles, she is originally from the UK and has a storied career in the events and awards business.
