by Tahnee Merideth
I want to take a moment to reach out to any woman who questions what she’s capable of. We all come from different walks of life, and that’s what makes the world such a special place. We live, breathe, and learn from those around us—learning both what to do and what not to do to succeed.
I’m not the person to give relationship advice, having had two failed marriages myself. But the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done is being a mother. I have three beautiful children who mean the world to me, and two (soon to be three) grandchildren who make my heart melt. Motherhood has taught me how to be selfless, survive while sleep deprived for years, and adapt to the fact that no two children are alike. It’s about being reliable and setting the best example you can—not for yourself but for the world you want for your kids and grandkids. Parenting has shown me how to be a better person.
I’ve made mistakes, as every parent does. We all try our best with what we’re given, listening to our children’s needs and adjusting how we raise them. I could go on forever about my love for them, but I also want to talk about women and business. Being a parent shows just how strong women really are, so why do we second-guess ourselves?
As a mom, I wanted to stay home with my kids, so I found ways to work around their schedules. I started by working in restaurants and nannying other children. In 2002, I entered the real estate industry. I’ve always loved properties and had a huge interest in real estate. I’m a social butterfly, and helping people has always been a passion. But I quickly learned real estate isn’t easy if you want to make a living—you’ve got to stay sharp and on top of the market.
I sold homes here and there, but in 2010, Ifound my niche in property management. While I still sell homes occasionally, property management is where I truly shine. I worked for another company until 2018, when I took the leap to start my own business—scared out of my mind! Somewhere in 2021, Bridget came on board. I’ll never forget that time; she was going through a divorce, and my mom was constantly pushing both of us to give it our all. My confidence was a little stronger than Bridget’s, but I still wasn’t fully pushing myself, questioning myself like we all do.
Then we went to our first Tom Ferry seminar. I’d always heard of him, but attending that event in Arizona changed everything. Meeting other agents and entrepreneurs, hearing their stories, empowered me. I came home so excited, and my husband Jamie said, “I don’t care what it costs, sign up!” He had more confidence in me and this than I did. Meanwhile, Bridget was more hesitant due to her finances, but we both knew deep down it was the right move.
Just before Christmas that year, as Bridget and I baked cookies in the kitchen for all our clients, my mom came walking through, taste-testing all the cookies, and throwing out there again: “You girls need to put yourselves out there—you’re so good at what you do, and these people better appreciate you!” My mom passed away unexpectedly a few days later on Christmas Day, but her voice and encouragement still push us every day.
Not long after, we signed up for coaching, and it has transformed our business beyond what we ever imagined. We now have a full-time admin, we brought on Patricia as a realtor, and we’re planning to hire another person by spring.
I can’t thank Tom Ferry, our coach Debbie Burness, and Agent Image (Vic, Brian, and team) enough. And of course, my mother, who I know is watching over us and helping us every step of the way.
The moral of the story: Never doubt yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to. Bridget and I are two divorced women with completely different personalities who believed in each other—and look where we are now. We’re just getting started. I can’t wait to meet my newest granddaughter any day now and see what 2025 has in store for my family, my business, and my life.
