Most “About me” posts include details such as school, marriage, births, achievements, jobs, titles, awards and the like. This one is a bit different but I’ll start with the business part.
I got my start in the Real Estate world with Home Staging. Had some fun with that but didn’t feel like it was what I wanted to do full time. After that, I worked in new construction for a couple of years for Trendmaker Homes and then Partners In Building as an assistant to the Sales Counselors. I learned a lot about the industry and it was a great education! In 2014, I started Kathryn C Wheat School of Real Estate teaching Continuing Education for Realtors. My school has grown over the years and I am extremely proud of the team of instructors that I have teaching with me. As it was for many businesses, when Covid hit, it changed my business model. We learned to teach virtually and I added Online CE courses as well as qualifying courses by partnering with The CE Shop. I then decided to obtain my own Real Estate License and am with CB&A, Realtors. I am no stranger to hard work. I love working with people and seeing smiles at the end of the day.
I authored the book, Networking: Naked & Unafraid based on my experiences growing my business. I have another book written and hope to get that published in the near future. It is based on my journey since divorce and all that I have learned.
Previously I wrote “My Story” as part of my blog because it was important to get it out and heal. I know that talking about the things I have been through served to help others on their journey and I’d like to say that’s why I wrote it, but in all reality, it was because I needed to say it out loud for myself and try to get past it. It was cathartic for me. It has merely been a bonus that it also helped others heal. For that I am thankful.
I am a Southern girl. My main influences are my mother, both of my Grandmothers and one very special Great Grandmother. Etiquette and manners were a big deal in my family. We didn’t have much money but we certainly had class. They are all amazing women.
My parents divorced when I was very young and we moved from South Carolina, where I was born, to Texas where my mother’s family resided. Although I was blessed with remarkable female role models, I didn’t have many men in my younger years that I could learn about boys from. It was when I had my first child, a son, that I really began to comprehend the mind of the male species. Boy did he teach me a lot!
I was married to the father of my children for 23 years. We had some good years together and at this point in my life I choose to focus on those times. Yes, we obviously had problems and eventually divorced. I’m thankful to have the beautiful children and grandchild that union created.
In 2017 my daughter suffered the loss of her young husband. He died by suicide. They had a son together who was 2 at the time. I can say that this was one of the worst days of our lives. It changed everything. Suicide isn’t something you get over. You just learn a little better each day how to live with it. My grandson is on the Autism spectrum. I am now raising him. The rewards are so sweet! My daughter is one of the strongest people I know. I know God has amazing plans for her life. She is stunning, beautiful, resilient and has so much to offer. My two favorite charities are Suicide Prevention and Autism Awareness.
My son is an adventurer. He has backpacked through New Zealand, Australia and is now on a fishing boat in Alaska with plans to head to Europe after that. He’s worked some of the most interesting and grueling jobs that I’ve ever heard of. He’s strong, driven, adventurous and the smartest person I know. He’s dashingly handsome and who knows where his next adventure will lead. I’m grateful for the time I get to spend with him.
A good friend for so many years always encouraged me to “Let Go, Let God”. I have a tattoo that says this. It took several years to forgive and really let go of the hurt I experienced from my marriage. Over this time, I’ve come to realize many things about the people in my life and continue to adjust the boundaries. I am meant to soar and I think that scares some of the people who knew me when I could barely walk. The letting go can be painful for all of us. I know that my journey is my own but I am not alone. I walk with many. I strive to Let God’s light shine through me every day.
I believe that people come into our lives for reasons and seasons. For the special few that stay awhile, those are the ones to treasure.
Through it all, I’ve embraced who I am and that’s the woman I want you to know about.
Here are a few quirky things you may not know about me:
• As a child, I was very shy! It was after having children that I started to come out of my shell and gain confidence. Never in a million years did I think I’d become a Professional Speaker and Educator.
• I REALLY enjoy exercising and I actually LOVE healthy food!
• I have always been petite. My father is super skinny but quite tall. I look most like his sister.
• Even though I’m probably one of the worst vocalists you will never hear, I love to sing. (I make a concentrated effort to do it alone)
• I love dancing even more than singing. Thankfully, I have pretty good rhythm. You can catch me moving to just about any kind of music including Pop, Hip-Hop, Rap, Country, Christian, Reggae, Broadway, and Classical.
• No one seems to know where the curls came from.
• I hated my curly hair when I was growing up but have learned to really love it. I get questions from other naturally curly headed girls all the time and LOVE to give them all my tips on products and care. It’s taken me years to figure some of this stuff out! I feel like we need to stick together.
• I love scuba diving. The deepest dive I’ve ever done was 133 feet off of Cozumel in a cave called Punta Sur. It was amazing!
• I’m too empathetic sometimes which causes me to cry very easily. I get embarrassed by this quite often.
• I had foot surgery as a child and as a result have a weird big toe on my right foot. I’ve named it, “The Toe”. It has provided comic relief on many occasions. As a teen this toe embarrassed me to no end! I rarely wore open shoes because I was sure everyone was staring at my feet and the scars I was so self-conscious of. Now I don’t care so much. If I catch you looking for it I’ll know you read this. 🙂
• I am a “Gammy” who makes a daily effort to NOT be one of those people who pushes pics of his sweet dimples in everyone’s face. Of course if you want to see some photos I’d be happy to oblige! (But really, he’s so cute!)
• I might have a problem with the over-use of exclamation marks!!!
• I am truly blessed! I love this journey!
• Anything else you want to know, just ask!
