About 2.5 years ago, I started working with a colleague who needed some support with her business, and so I happily took on the partner role with my friend Carla Borgard. I still had my own book of business with Mike, but I agreed to work with Carla in her business as much as she needed me. Carla has been an icon in real estate in St Louis- and most especially in the Town and Country area that she lived in. For over 40 years she was in sales, then management and then back to the sales side – always a top agent!

When I first took my real estate test and passed way back 11 years ago, my manager asked me to help Carla at an open house. It was the very first real estate related thing I ever did. Little did I know I was helping the Queen of Real Estate! She was kind, encouraging and generous with her advice. That first experience made me feel somewhat confident that I could do this job and be good at it. She will never know how much that meant to me. Frankly, I’m not sure I really understood how much it did mean to me at that time.

Not long after that first experience, I was touring a house with the office and she invited me to join her and another group of agents in Old Town St Charles for shopping and lunch. I was getting ready to head to Florida for a vacation and had to pack. She said, “You can pack tonight”, and off we went! We had the best time, I got to know several of the agents in my office and I managed to pack and get off to Florida with no issues. Again, it didn’t register how much that camaraderie would mean to me, but I think she knew. A newbie in this business can easily get discouraged and scared off by the task of starting new business. A large office can be overwhelming. But getting to know a few people at a time helps you to feel you are part of the group and business. She did me a huge favor that day.

After those first experiences, I set out to do the work needed to build my business. It was all consuming and I had slow steady progress. Carla was more of a background player then. A wise mentor in the office and often a strong voice giving us what we needed to hear. “DON’T BE LAZY” was one thing I remember her saying to newer agents. Work every open house you can, phones etc. She was tough but always fair.

Back in 2016 when I got a listing call on a brand new, 2+ million-dollar house that I felt way out of my depth on, I reached out to her and asked her to come on board with me. I needed her expertise and help. When we looked at the property online prior to our listing appointment, she realized that she had sold the lot the home had been built on to the builder. Now the new owner needed to sell. Her efforts and relationship with the builder helped us sell the home to one of the former Cardinals. It was an amazing home and an amazing experience. A roller coaster of a ride but a deal I will always be proud of. It was all due to her guidance.

I write all of this because on August 15 my sweet friend Carla passed away from complications after a surgery. No one expected her to leave us yet and it is shocking to know she is gone. The last couple of weeks have been full of tears and a lot of stories about her from many colleagues and her family. Everyone who knew her, loved her. She was a social butterfly and brought many folks together for lunches, drinks and of course- shopping! I will forever be grateful to her for that first introduction into real estate and the time we spent together these last two plus years. I was learning at the feet of the master, and it was a privilege to do so. Rest in Peace my friend.