We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, how do you think about risk?

Taking risk to me are the decisions in life that push you to really LIVE. Sometimes it’s an obvious risk; screaming at you to make the jump, or it can be subtle; quietly tempting you to make a decision that you will later see was the fork in the road.

It’s an idea that just sounds crazy. It’s a chance that you can’t pass up. It’s a choice you take that has no road map or guarantee. It’s a dream that could be your reality. It’s the path in life that will have the same highs and lows as any other path but hopefully with less regrets and less “what ifs”.

I’ve had moments in life where I didn’t have a good enough reason to say no so the risk taken was out of ignorance. I didn’t know any better, a door opened, and I walked through it blissfully, without overthinking, saying “why not?”. But taking the risk is just the beginning.

I had to show up every day, soak up what I didn’t know, and do better than the day before. Early on, I didn’t know where it was going or what it should look like but luckily, without realizing it then, I acted as if there was more to what I was doing than what was right in front of me. Looking back now, each moment and risk taken, was a stepping stone that kept me growing in the right direction.

Then taking risk became calculated. I gained experience, I could weigh the options, I had choices, and there were moments that I believed taking the risk outweighed everything else.

More recently, risk presented itself in a way that required me to “pull back the arrow, in order for it to go farther”… a cliff note version of a quote I heard that visually stuck with me. I took the risk that may have put me back a step, but I trusted it was the right decision to propel me even farther.

Taking risks and reflecting along the way has given me gratitude for the little and big moments that have lead me here. It makes my heart happy knowing if I didn’t take a risk because of what I THOUGHT my life was supposed to look like, I would have never had the opportunity to be where I am now. Risk made me forget about my own expectations on what life should look like and allowed me to create a life I never imagined possible.

Small or big, ignorant or calculated, risks require a level of trust. Trust in your faith to believe it will all work out if it’s meant to be, trust in the mistakes and obstacles that were needed to grow, and trust in yourself that you CAN do it.

I hope everyone gives themselves enough credit to acknowledge the risks that have already been taken and when the next “dream big” risk presents itself… BE ALL IN. I think life prepares us for what we are made for if we don’t get in the way. All we can do is make the most of the opportunities that present themselves, show up, and do the best we can.

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.” – Paulo Coelho

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Well speaking of risks taken… real estate was one of those “why not” risks when one door closed and another one opened. Long story short, I had purchased my first home and got laid off from the Oil and Gas industry 7 days later. It was a “blessing in disguise” moment that I’m forever grateful for. The real estate industry is harder than anyone can imagine but SO rewarding and changed my life. As a real estate agent, there were so many hats to wear and I loved being able to share the skills I had honed along the way with the clients I was able to serve.

Real estate took off for me quickly and I like to say my experience as a real estate agent was a good time but not a long time because about three years in, a different opportunity in the industry presented itself… a sales executive position for a title company. I had NO idea what the role would entail but I jumped in… Why not! It wasn’t an easy adjustment going back to a corporate role after loving the excitement of the ups and downs that came with being an entrepreneur,  but when you take the big risks and trust the journey, it’s not until you get down the road that you realize it was all meant to be.

The role at Old Republic Title quickly developed into a new education role that now serves 3 of our company’s operations in Texas; Dallas-Fort Worth, Conroe, and San Antonio. It’s exciting and new for the title industry and I’m so grateful to have a company that took a risk on me trying something different. They gave me the opportunity and the platform to share my passion for real estate with a community that wants to thrive together.

Real estate changed my life and I want to share the amazing possibilities with as many other people that want to dream big and work hard.

Today, our goal as a team is to go ABOVE & BEYOND. Above and beyond in title insurance services, technology, education, resources, and support. We want to build an environment of like-minded professionals to raise the bar in the real estate industry with a community focused on growth mindset, purposeful action, and strategies to build a business on relationships, repeat clients and referrals.

When I take a step back, I am very proud of how far I have come and the life I created. I have learned patience is key and most importantly, to not lower the bar or minimize the big ideas but to find the right timing, path, and people to make it all come together. Goals grow and change with us. We just have to show up, do our best, and be open to where they can take us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love Fort Worth! I would take them to the places my husband and I love to go on a typical fun weekend.

Sundance Square – Flying Saucer for a beer feast board, drinks and to show them my plate on the ceiling. Then we’d hop over to Del Frisco’s Grill for the best burger. And then maybe if we are feeling wild… and needing to walk off some calories we would stroll around the Sundance Square fountains and head to a new spot called Curfew Bar which has the coolest mixologists and drink menu.

Then the next day, a brewery tour in Fort Worth. Cowtown Brewery, Hop Fusion, Martin House, Rahr, Brutal Beerworks, False Idol….snack at whatever food trucks were out that day. And of course, we’d Uber.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

People come into and out of your life for reasons you don’t realize in the moment. The path that lead me here has been because a lot of people saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to grow.

In this current season, I thank my husband for pushing me to get into real estate, supporting my hustle, and growing up with me.

Brian Buffini and Buffini & Company for the inspiration that lit up my real estate passion and leads me to serve others well.

The leadership at Old Republic Title for nurturing my abilities and allowing me to run with ideas that serve our clients, our teams, and the company.

And I thank the real estate agents that are part of my journey. They give me purpose and their appreciation is what fills my cup every day.

Instagram: @growingwithgina

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/growingwithgina/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingwithGina

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtZ5CdKwwY-a-HUt53-Ebgw

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