Real estate is in my blood. It’s all I heard about growing up in my house, whether I liked it or not. But that happens when your family business is a real estate brokerage.

My grandfather moved to Toronto from Cosenza, Italy as a young man. After a few years of working in sales, he decided a career in real estate gave him the best chance to achieve his dream. Over a 50-year career, he helped hundreds of Italian families set roots in Canada. 

He opened his brokerage in 1975. And as part of his front desk staff, he hired his daughters. He wanted to show them the ropes in hopes that someone would continue the legacy he created. Well, one of those daughters did - my mother.

My parents took over the family business in the early 2000s. During this time, I began to pay more attention to my surroundings.

I spent a lot of time at the office as a kid. The days I would pretend to be sick, PA days, and summer vacation especially. Our office became a second home for me. And a place where our long-tenured agents would see me grow up. 

As I got older, my parents advised me to stay on the path of university. A business degree was in sight. But at the back of my mind, something about the family business intrigued me. So while studying at Ryerson University, I also decided to get my real estate license.

I couldn’t have been more excited to get into real estate with my parents. I'd learn about the everyday operations from my mom and the sales & management side from my dad. I didn’t think it could be any better!

But life took a significant turn in February 2012. As I prepared to enter the business, my dad’s health changed. For months he had complained about his leg stiffening up and losing function. After many tests, doctors diagnosed him with ALS - a neurological disease that results in the loss of muscle control. And has no cure. 

The diagnosis devastated my family. My dad had to stop working. The rest of us had to pick up the pieces & take care of him. 

If I wasn’t in class, I was right by my dad’s side. Anything he needed, I was there to help. And when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING. I fed him, changed him, and did my best to keep his spirits up. But seeing the man I idolized lay lifeless, with no hope of getting better, destroyed me inside.

I became depressed and angry at the world. I lost touch with a lot of people who were important in my life. I had crippling anxiety, and my confidence was at an all-time low.

All these feelings carried into the beginning of my real estate career in 2015. I started working as a salesperson two weeks after my father passed away.

It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. In the early days, I tried to survive in this industry while battling my anxiety and depression. And it wasn’t easy. But then it clicked. If I can’t take care of myself, how can I care for others?

That’s when I made self-care a priority. I began to see a therapist to deal with the traumas in my life (which I’m very open about today if anyone ever needs to talk). I worked with a personal trainer to become more fit. I started doing all the things I love again. By making myself a priority, that world's weight began to feel lighter and lighter. All this led me to focus on becoming my best person.

The knowledge was always there, but the confidence came back! The animated and bright-eyed man I was before came through again. 

Today, I’m someone with the knowledge and understanding of the modern-day realtor. But also someone who has values instilled from generations past.

As I create a life for myself and build toward my dream for my family, I want to help you build toward your dream for yours. When a family chooses to work with me, they become my family. Throughout the process of finding your next home, I’m going to have your back. I’m always going to be working in your best interests. Sometimes I’ll tell you something you may not want to hear, but it’s what you need to hear. 

Together we have a common goal. That goal is to find your family's dream home, where you can make memories that last a lifetime. Creating memories with your family at home is one of the greatest joys in life. And playing a role in these crucial life stages brings me joy. It's why I do this.