About Hillary
My journey has been anything but ordinary. As a kid, I dreamed of being a horse trainer, but ended up falling in love with fitness at 14. Imagine a decade swirling in the fitness world, complemented by a Bachelor’s in Interior Design and a Farm-to-Table Culinary Arts degree. My grandma used to say I’d make a great wife, and I can’t help but laugh at that!
University started with finance and accounting at UW – math was my thing. But soon, my heart pulled me towards interior design. So off I went, from Seattle to Chicago, to chase my dream. Post-graduation, I had a choice between Italy and Australia. Guess what? My Italian wasn’t great, so hello, Australia! I arrived in Sydney excited but alone, ready to start my design career.
But, reality hit hard during my design internship. I was stuck doing repetitive CAD work, far from my imagined creative dream. Sydney was great, but I missed my family terribly. After a tough breakup, I headed back to the States. I chose the sunny vibes of Southern California over Washington.
My passion for health and fitness was still burning strong. I ignored my family’s concerns about leaving my education behind. I dove into becoming a personal trainer. It felt like coming home. I led gym sessions and entered fitness competitions. I thrived in an environment I loved.
But here’s where the plot thickens. I was overworking. I was stretching myself thin between my training clients and my own fitness regime. Nostalgia for my mother’s home-cooked meals and a close-knit family life grew stronger. I needed another change, so I headed to culinary school. I had no ambition to be a chef. My goal was to explore creating experiences through food.
Back to Washington I went, drawn by family ties. I jumped back into fitness, opening big-name gyms, reaching success but feeling unfulfilled.
But, one major silver lining was meeting the love of my life, Forrest.. I never expected this super handsome guy who came to an interview to steal my heart a few weeks later.
Then life threw a curveball. Forrest and I had to say goodbye to our beloved French Mastiff, Monkey. This hit extra hard. Amidst the long hours and the lonely weeks without a dog, I realized how much I was missing out. Regardless of how busy I was, I couldn’t handle not having a dog any longer.
I saw a video of this senior, mostly blind rescue dog, and I knew I had to get him. That is when Popeye came into our lives. He opened my eyes to a different kind of love and responsibility.
Balancing the demands of a new studio and caring for Popeye, I yearned for a change. I’d been dreaming about real estate for quite some time. But, leaving the familiar fitness world was daunting. Then, unexpectedly, they fired me. New management came in and cleaned house, and I was one of the ones on the list. Forrest saw it as a sign – it was time to chase my real estate dreams.
Joining a real estate team, I learned quickly, diving into my first sale just before the pandemic hit. Despite the challenges, I had a successful first year. Tired of apartment life, Forrest and I longed for a home for ourselves and Popeye. We took the plunge and bought our own place in Fall 2020, fulfilling a promise to Popeye – his very own yard to enjoy.
2021 was a year of bold moves. I married my best friend. I started my own real estate business and joined a brokerage that encouraged me to dream bigger. I started walking dogs weekly at a local shelter.. This snowballed into volunteering more each year. I partnered with more animal rescues, giving more of my time and resources to help in any way possible. I dedicated 20% of my business to helping rescue pets find their forever homes. I realized the profound impact rescuing Popeye had on me.
I once doubted I could handle volunteering in animal rescue. Losing Popeye to cancer made me determined to honor his memory. I wanted to help as many dogs as possible.
It turns out working with dog parents in real estate is what I love most. I specialize in understanding the unique considerations when buying a home for a pet. I am exceptionally knowledgeable about homes for pets with special needs, like Popeye.
Not only that, I realized I had a gift for helping people transition to their dream home. I found I could do it in a way that was actually enjoyable and less stressful. Yes, you can transition from your house to your ideal home and it can be enjoyable! And that is why I created my Fetch Method, to help Dog Parents do just that.
So, if you’re looking for a home that’s perfect for you and your four-legged friends, I’m here to help. It’s not just about the number of bedrooms or the size of the kitchen. It’s about finding a place where every family member, furry ones included, can feel fulfilled, relaxed, and live their best lives.