A single “why not?” and saying “yes” to a few unexpected opportunities led to a life I never could have mapped out. Along the way, I learned to embrace growth, deeply value connection, and trust that when you truly care about something, you’ll find a way to make it work.

In 2014, I packed up my life in Jackson, Michigan, and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, without knowing a single person. I was working at Verizon and thought I’d climb the ladder and stay for the long haul. My district manager told me I’d need to relocate if I wanted to move up. So I figured, why not?

Seven months later, that plan unraveled. Our store moved to a hard-to-find location, and with lower in-store traffic, my commission was cut in half. In Michigan, I had relationships I could rely on. But in Fort Wayne, I didn’t have that yet. I couldn’t transfer back to Michigan, so I quit.

I went back to serving tables. One night, after I had already been cut from the floor, my manager asked if I wanted to take one last table. I almost said no, but thankfully I said “yes.” That table ended up being Jennifer Callison, president of Mike Thomas Associates. After serving her and her friends all night, she asked if I’d be interested in interviewing for a job, and once again, I said “yes.” 

 When I got into my car, I had to Google the company and learned it was in real estate. I started out as an assistant, learning the process, the contracts, and the emotions behind every transaction. I fell in love with real estate and sought mentorship from great agents.

At the time, I was also working other jobs, and through my corporate training role was offered to spend six weeks in Bogotá, Colombia. Of course, I said “yes!” I had never been outside the country and didn’t speak Spanish, but I went and fell in love with the culture and the people.

Not long after, I met my now-husband, Leonardo, online, who lived in Colombia. In the beginning, our entire relationship ran through Google Translate. We set up laptops, held phones near speakers, and translated every sentence back and forth. When we eventually got married, he said his vows in English for my family, and I said mine in Spanish for his. Now I’m becoming fluent in Spanish, but I struggle with talking in the past tense—so I live in the present!

 In 2020, after years of working behind the scenes in real estate, I decided to become a full-time agent. Shortly after that commitment, two of my mentors, Ashley Holley and Jody Gugleman, decided to retire. Because of the trust we had built, I was able to step in as the agent they trusted to serve their clients. I leaned on everything they had taught me. When Jody later passed away, I reached out to her past clients and asked them to share stories about her so I could pass them along to her children. Reading those messages was a powerful reminder of the kind of impact this work can have.

 When I think back to the trajectory I was planning for, my life couldn’t be more different. I’m grateful for the times I simply said “yes” to new experiences. Those choices taught me to be adaptable, to embrace change, and to understand that connection is always worth the effort—even when it requires patience and effort, and in my case, crosses language barriers.

Fort Wayne is home now. I’ve built friendships here, grown my business here, and enjoy having lots to do. When not going out with friends, I’m a bit of a nerd at heart. I love reading fiction, playing video games, and performing in local theater when time allows. In the warmer months, I take advantage of the trails near my house and bike downtown. 

We also have two cats, Wallee and Pepper, and we were grateful to bring his dog, Chapo, to the United States from Colombia. Like Leo, Chapo is originally from Venezuela. They’ve been with us through every chapter of this journey and are very much family.

 Because of the risks I’ve taken, I’m comfortable navigating uncertainty—and real estate can be full of it! When challenges come up in a transaction, I work through them, find solutions, and create a clear plan. And because I genuinely value relationships, I care deeply about how my clients experience the process. I give them the information they need, communicate clearly when emotions run high, and make sure they feel confident in the decisions they’re making for their family. I measure success by the number of families I help, not by sales volume. This job isn’t just about property — it’s about guiding people through a major life decision with care.

Every real estate transaction is its own journey. You’re the captain, and I am the first mate. My role is to provide you with clear information, point out the icebergs, and help you navigate the journey so we reach the other side smoothly. Above all else, I put your best interests first, making sure you get the support, guidance, representation, and advocacy you need to achieve your goals.

 

  
Sincerely,

 

 

Nic Lowden