Growing Up in a Real Estate Office
Real estate has always been part of my life.
I lived with my grandparents growing up, and almost every afternoon was spent in their real estate office. It was simply part of daily life.
Phones rang constantly. Clients stopped by to talk about their next move. Contracts were written, and negotiations happened around the office.
At the time, it felt chaotic. Real estate seemed like a business where you were pulled in many directions at once.
But there was something I noticed even then.
My aunt Marsia Miller had become one of the most respected brokers in the area. Other Realtors and brokers called her daily, asking for advice on contracts, negotiations, and complex transactions.
She carried herself with confidence and professionalism, and the respect she earned from others in the industry was clear.
What I did not realize at the time was how much pride and confidence this profession would eventually bring into my own life.
Years later, I would discover that same feeling.
Today, other Realtors and brokers call me for advice in much the same way.
A Career That Became a Calling
My own real estate career began while I was pregnant with my daughter, Audrey.
I could not have imagined at that moment where the next two decades would lead.
Over the past twenty-three years, real estate has given me the opportunity to help countless clients buy and sell homes while also mentoring many Realtors along the way.
Throughout my career, I have opened and led several brokerages and had the privilege of leading more than 500 Realtors, collectively producing over one billion dollars in annual sales volume.
Despite that experience, opening my own brokerage was never a personal dream.
Owning a brokerage is a significant responsibility. The work is demanding, and the industry today is dominated by large corporate real estate brands.
Yet over time, I felt a strong calling.
Our local real estate community needed stronger leadership. Realtors deserved better support and training. Clients deserved a higher level of service.
That calling led to the creation of The Tenpenny Collection.
Opening The Tenpenny Collection
On March 4, 2026, my daughter Audrey and I officially opened the doors to our new office at 327 11th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.
The grand opening was two years in the making and required months of planning and remodeling to bring the vision to life.
Our goal was to create a sophisticated environment where productive agents could meet with their clients comfortably while delivering a high level of professional service.
Opening the office was a moment I felt deeply proud of.
Audrey and I built something that reflects the values we believe the real estate industry should represent.
One of those values is something I often say.
Luxury is a level of service, not a price point.
In many ways, that philosophy reflects how my grandmother and aunt built their brokerage decades ago. Every client deserves respect, care, and thoughtful guidance, regardless of the price of the property.
The Next Generation of Leadership
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been building the brokerage alongside my daughter.
Audrey is 23 years old and serves as my business partner. She is licensed in real estate, though her role focuses on the strategic and operational side of the business.
She functions as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for The Tenpenny Collection, overseeing financial systems, branding, and marketing strategy.
Working together has been incredibly rewarding.
In many ways, our partnership mirrors the relationship between my grandmother and my aunt when they opened their brokerage in 1990.
Mother and daughter.
Working side by side.
Making decisions together, solving problems together, and building something meaningful together.
A Local Brokerage in a Corporate Industry
Opening an independent brokerage today comes with its challenges.
The real estate industry is dominated by large corporate franchises with national advertising budgets and extensive networks.
At times, it can feel like David facing Goliath.
But what we offer is something those corporate brands cannot replicate.
We bring deep local knowledge, decades of real estate experience, strong community relationships, and global marketing exposure for our listings.
Our focus is simple.
Serve our agents well so they can serve their clients exceptionally well.
Honoring the Women Who Cleared the Path
This story feels especially meaningful during Women’s History Month.
While I do not often stop to think about it, many people have pointed out that this moment represents four generations of women connected through real estate.
I am deeply grateful for the women who cleared the path before me.
My grandmother.
My aunt.
And countless women throughout history who fought for opportunities that earlier generations never had.
From the right to vote, to the right to own property, to the right to build and lead our own businesses, every generation benefits from the courage of the one before it.
None of this would be possible without them.
Looking Toward the Future
The Tenpenny Collection is just beginning its story.
Over the next decade, my vision is to thoughtfully expand with additional offices throughout Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and beyond.
But growth alone is not the goal.
The mission remains the same.
To elevate professionalism in the real estate industry.
To support Realtors in building meaningful careers.
And to serve clients with the highest level of care, knowledge, and integrity.
Because in the end, real estate is not simply about properties.
It is about people, relationships, and the lives that unfold inside the homes we help them find.
And sometimes, it is also about honoring the legacy of those who helped shape the path we are walking today.